COLONIAL FRUIT SHOWS. 



107 



COLONIAL FEUIT SHOWS. 



People are often inclined to think that this or that does no good 

 because the good it does is not immediately and transparently visible; 

 but as a rule it would probably be true to say that all great benefits 

 are brought about slowly and are in their progress unobserved. 



This has certainly been the case with the export of grapes from 

 South Africa. Some years ago they were shown at one of the E.H.S. 

 shows, and the Secretary wrote a report to the Colony on the excellent 

 quality of the fruit, but at the same time pointed out the grave defects 

 in the packing and the desirability of slightly increasing the size of 

 the individual berries. 



A box of grapes just arrived from the Cape was sent to the Show 

 on March 8, and the Secretary was desired to report upon it, which he 

 did as follows : — 



March 10. 



Dear Mr. Chiappini, — The box of grapes you send, and on which 

 I am desired to report, has reached us safely, and not only reached us 

 safely, but in such wonderful condition as to make it seem almost 

 impossible that it can have travelled all the way from the Cape. There 

 was literally hardly a berry dislodged, and absolutely not one crushed 

 or mildewed. The improvement in the packing is simply marvellous, 

 and the simplicity admirable. I notice with pleasure that none of 

 that once horrible cork-dust is used — nothing, in fact, but a bit of 

 tissue paper wrapped round each bunch, and the bunches laid loosely 

 together, fiat in the box, in a single layer. It is impossible to praise 

 the packing too highly. 



The size of the berries has also greatly improved, and now leaves 

 little to be desired. 



The quahty of the grapes themselves is very good, though I fancy 

 I miss the slight muscat flavour the smaller-berried branches have in 

 previous years had so pleasantly. 



On the whole they are a wonderful success. Congratulating you 

 on the success which is crowning your efforts, 



Believe me, faithfully yours, 



W. WiLKS, Secretary. 



To Mr. de Chiappini, Trade Commissioner for the Cape of Good Hope. 



