relative bo the second point, pertaining to the production of 
prune more competitive in size and quality, two essentially different 
viewpoints are involved. The paCKers, the exporters and the government, 
.•ocate Larger and oetter p rune to be secured' by the introduction of 
. ifted varieties and by adequate educational and police control measures. 
osed to this viewpoint is that 'of the peasant's v ' ; ho think first in 
terns of prunes for brandy, for' "which the prevailing small, native, se f d- 
lin fruit is best. Export'. requirements ?re entirely secondary to the 
peasant. The commonly used home**made and! inexpensive dri.er, though in- 
adequate for turning out quality fruit, is entirely satisfactory to the 
peasant for drying his surplus prunes after the brandy requirement sf have 
been taken care .of. ' . ' • 
This difference in viewpoint, has made progress" in Yugoslav prune 
production exceedingly slow, strenuous 'efforts are 1 being made' to modern- 
ize the industry but it is questionable whether the peasant, with his 
present experience and training, is capable of assuming such responsi- 
bilities. Government .regulations have not produced desired results- 
study of the needs 'of import' countries- -from' the standpoint of consumer 
preferences and consuming trends, of special fruit needs, of seasons 
arrival .of fruits in import countries, might disclose more desirable 
outlets for fruit, in the fresh state rather than attempting to compete 
in dried prunes with the United States, which apparently has an advantage 
over Jugoslavia in its mass .product ion, modern methods and good Quality. 
An important considerate on related to the future of 'the industry 
in mjucslavia is the fact that the sale of dried prune's constitutes the 
most important source of cash income for many of the peasants. Moreover, 
since the - r^ as. occupied by the . prune, trees are generally a part of the 
nestead and are often pastured' or intercropped, the industry is not 
elt to occupy land that might' be more valuable for other purposes. The 
ash investment in the prune . rowing and drying industry is practically 
negligible. . The industry i s extremely elastic because planting costs are 
and the native 'seedling variety comes' into bearing' quickly. Peasants 
are inclined to view tree losses lightly ana less in the light of a dis~ 
ier than as a means of securing a young and vigorous orchard, particularly 
since abundant ne- stock is available in the peasant's own hedgerows or in 
e nurseries at 'very little or no cost. 
r.i le the scale has been very destructive in the older orchards, 
Tiany ne- orchards are showing vigorous 'growth. There is some' doubt as to 
whether new plantings are keeping pace with tree mortality but there is 
sufficient land in the low foothills, with good exposure and suitable soil, 
to maintain an important industry if new plantings are encouraged. The 
scale which is now doing so much damage is not difficult to combat and if 
new plantings are given sufficient space and are not pruned too hig, they 
need not suffer the fate of the old orchards. 
