Fifty Yem'S of Fruit Farming. 
175 
6r made into tarts or pies. They were so perfectly dried, all the 
saccharine matter being retained, that they were very nice to 
eat without being boiled or stewed. Though this has been tried 
on a small scale it has not yet been much adopted. The system 
offers another opportunity for the disposal of surplus fruit. 
Fifty years ago almost all the fruit was consigned to London 
markets, or to the markets of a few large towns, or to markets 
near the places of production. It was sent direct to salesmen, 
who sold it to dealers, retailers, and costermongers. At that 
time the area of distribution was most limited. In the case of 
such a perishable commodity as fruit the slowness and uncer- 
tainty of transport caused a most circumscribed trade. The 
metropolis and two or three thickly populated centres were the 
only possible markets for fruit-growers upon anything like a 
large scale. At this time enormous quantities of fruit are still 
sent by growers to the various London markets, which now 
serve not merely as centres of distribution in and around the 
metropolis, but as centres from which fruit is distributed to all 
parts of the United Kingdom. Orders are received by telegraph 
for fruit from many markets in the kingdom where fruit runs 
short, which is despatched at once by fast trains. Growers now 
frequently, though London is their nearest centre, consign fruit 
direct to Manchester, Birmingham, or Liverpool, or other 
populous places, either as a speculation or upon telegraphic 
advice. They also make contracts with jam manufacturers to 
supply fruit during the season at fixed times and in defined 
quantities. 
Lately the practice of supplying retailers, co-operative stores, 
and large establishments with fruit has been adopted by some 
growers with much advantage ; as in the former case all ex- 
penses of commission are saved, while a certain sale is guaranteed, 
unaffected by temporary gluts which occur from time to time in 
centres like the London markets, into which the world pours its 
produce. Private customers are supplied in some instances by 
the growers. The parcel post has proved of much advantage in 
connection with this trade, especially in respect of the best kinds 
of out-door fruit and that grown under glass, the production of 
which has materially increased and is increasing steadily. Many 
growers look upon orchard houses and other buildings for grow- 
ing early fruit as essential addenda to a fruit farm. 
Very great progress has been made in the distribution of 
fruit in recent times, but there is still room for improvement. 
Fruit is always dear in some shops and in some towns — seaside 
towns for instance — and throughout whole districts, though at 
the same time markets are glutted and fruit is spoilt on the 
