March 1896.] 



THE FEUIT CROP OF 1895. 



403 



Strawberries sold well at rates ranging between 2d. and 6d, 

 per lb., and cherries made capital prices at from 3s. Qd. to 7^. 6d. 

 per 24 lbs. They began at the lower rate, but very soon im- 

 proved in price, as it was seen tiiat the imports of foreign 

 cherries were much less than usual, and the hot weather was 

 favourable for their consumption. The importation of cherries 

 during May, June, and July 1895, amounled to 193,499 bushels, 

 agaiost 310,263 bushels and 341,527 bushels, respectively, in the 

 corresponding months of 18.94 and 1893. 



Gooseberries sold at from Is. Sd. to 4s. per half sieve of 28 lbs, 

 A good many were sold at rates which left but small profit to 

 the producer. Red currants brought from Is. 6d. to 4s. Sd. per 

 24 lbs., and black currants sold better at from 3s. Sd. to 7s. per 

 24 lbs. 



Foreign competition does not interfere much with raspberries, 

 for which there is always a strong demand for jams, jellies, and 

 culinary purposes. " This fruit, of which there was only an 

 average crop, made good prices — from 25s. to 40s. per cwt. Fine 

 raspberries, packed in punnets for dessert, brought Qd. per lb. 

 without much trouble. 



Plums had a wide range of values. Some early sorts made 

 speoially good prices because of the smaller imports from abroad 

 particularly in the first part of the season. For instance, in 

 July 1895, the importation of plums was only 59,040 bushels, 

 compared with 165,134 bushels and 355,725 bushels respectively 

 in July 1894 and 1893. The total importation of plums during 

 1895 only amounted to 401,080 bushels, contrasted with 777,411 

 bushels and 777,142 bushels respectively in 1894 and 1893. 



Prices for plums varied between 2s. Qd. to 7s. per 28 lbs., 

 the mean price being about 3s'. 9d. per 28 lbs. 



Prices for damsons were between Is. and 3s. per 28 lbs., 

 and much of this fruit was sold at a loss. Picking, railway 

 rates, tolls, and commission more than balanced the prices made 

 for many consignments, though damsons were retailed in very 

 many towns at the rate of 3s. Qd. to 6s. per 28 lbs. 



Equally unsatisfactory prices pie vailed for apples. Early 

 sorts, such as Lord Sufhelds, Keswick Codlins, and others that 

 do not keep, made only from Is. to 2s. 3rZ. per sieve, or bushel, 

 of from 42 lbs. to 46 lbs. Many of these apples were wasted. 

 Prices for apples during the season ranged from Is. to 5s. per sieve 

 or bushel ; only fine dessert apples making the latter price. 

 Exceptionally choice Cox's Orange Pippins, Margils, Ribstons, 

 and other famed varieties made a shilling or two more per sieve. 

 It was rather the heavy crop at home, and not the importation 

 of apples from abroad, that made prices so very low, for it will 

 be seen from the Trade Returns that the quantity of apples 

 imported in 1895 was 3,292,562 bushels, while, in 1894, 

 4,968,669 bushels were imported, and 3,459,984 bushels in 1893. 

 It may be that the reports of the heavy British crop prevented 

 importation to some extent. 



