— "' — OF THE 



0arlr 0f |igriciiUtirt\ 



Vol. II.] December 1895. [No. 3. 



EVAPORATION OF FRUIT. 



The acreage of fruit land in Great Britain increases somewhat 

 slowly. Since 1885 only 23,705 acres have been added, or 

 about 2,370 a^^res per annum, which must be held to be an 

 inconsiderable addition, seeing tiiat corn growing is in such a 

 depressed condition, and that in spite of all the hindrances and 

 di-awbacks peculiar to the fruit-growing industry, it has been 

 upon the whole, fairly profitable. The outlay necessary for 

 findings trees ,and ,for planting tiiem, and the time, longer or 

 shorter according to the kinds of fruit, which must elapse before 

 any profit can be made, prevent a good many landowners from 

 planting. The bugbear of foreign competition also has great 

 influence in che^^^^ng outlay upon fruit planting, and this is only 

 natural, for the returns of the trade of the United Kingdom show 

 that the importations of fruit of all kinds increase enormously 

 year by^ year, and that almost every country under the sun is 

 growing fruit for the British markets. The total amount of raw 

 fruit, including apples, pears, plums, and cherries, but excluding 

 grapes, nuts, and .oranges, imported into* this country during 

 1894 was 8,067,887 cwt., valued at 2,833,580^., so that it is not 

 surprising that fruit growers hesitate before they add to their 

 orchards and plantations, and that landowners and tenants are 

 inclined to think the risks are too great to warrant much 

 c>xpeT!ditui(; of capital in planting fruit trees. 



The fact that, when fruit is very plentiful, in favourable seasons, 

 there is a glut in the chief markets, and that it is practically 

 unsaleable, or saleable only at prices leaving no profit to the 

 producers, also tends materially to check fruit planting. This 

 happened in 1892, when plums and damsons were abundant 

 beyond precedent, and did not pay the expenses of picking, 

 carriage, and commission when sent to London or to the midland 

 and northern markets, so that many thousand bushels of fruit were 

 sold at a loss, or left on the trees. Again, in 1895, damsons were 

 almost unsaleable, or saleable only at a miserable price, Many 

 growers received only 2d. to 4<d. a bushel clear from the salesman 

 after all expenses were paid, and in some cases the damsons were 

 thrown away or left unpicked. In many districts where cider 

 is not made, common apples were shaken from the trees, as it 



0 89185. 3500.— 12/95. Wt. , A 



