668 
THE GARDENING WORLD. 
June 17, 1899. 
tend that fruit marketed direct from the trees pays 
best; but the principle can be observed even in 
existing stores, which is—simply gather the^ fruit 
with care, only store perfect examples, keep the fruit 
in the dark, and never let the stores be too dry or 
allow the frost to enter. Cultivators must also test 
new and improved varieties, and when found to suit 
their soil, embark in them largely. I am not hope¬ 
ful of the progress of evaporated (dried) and 
crystallised fruit in this country, nor do I think that 
Apple-rings are likely to pay the producer. 
It must be remembered that the Prunes of the 
Continent are really partially dried and prepared on 
the trees, in consequence of greater sunshine; and 
in drying experiments I have witnessed even our 
large Plums come out of the ordeal—to use a com¬ 
mon expression—all skin and bone. 
Growers, too, must look further afield for outlets, 
and I feel that the system of sending such huge 
bulks to London markets, only to be transhipped to 
other cities and towns, is doomed. Our largest 
growers pack their fruit, to suit distant markets, in 
baskets, barrels, or cases, as the particular market 
affects, and send it direct from their local stations 
instead of to London first, and thus make the best 
prices. It is obvious to all that there is neither 
time nor space in the large London markets to deal 
with the vast quantity that is sent there in busy 
seasons. 
These remarks, however, are in no way intended 
to disparage London markets or London salesmen, 
who do their very best for clients ; but the course 
indicated will save these gluts of produce in the 
London market, acd prevent lowest prices. London 
will always be well supplied, and can consume a 
vast quantity, but producers on either a large or 
small scale will find it pay best to send the best only 
for London sale. It is manifestly unfair to send the 
best only to distant markets, and the inferior to 
London because the carriage is less, for it is a 
known fact that (as a rule) London buyers always 
give higher prices for picked fruit than provincial 
markets realise. There is a growing demand for 
fruit jellies, flavourings, temperance drinks, jams, 
preserved and bottled fruits, and further develop¬ 
ments of these industries is to be looked for, not only 
in a trade sense, but in private families, as the 
process is now so simple with the new and improved 
automatic bottles. I have not touched on the 
culture of fruit under glass, because it is not within 
the scope of this paper. The most prosperous branch 
of this culture is no doubt the growth of Peaches 
and Nectarines. But we yet require more time to 
know what effect the maintenance and repair of the 
comparatively flimsy glass structures of the market 
growers may amount to, before we can consider the 
matter tested to an issue. Tomato growing is really 
properly treated as a vegetable industry, though 
on the border land between a fruit aod a vege¬ 
table. 
It will be observed that I take an optimist forward 
view of this industry of fruit culture. Quite agreed. 
And I can go further, and say that no grower who 
has entered on the matter in a business way has ever 
failed to make a profit, naturally largest where most 
care is taken. Cases of failure are known, but they 
can be traced to a want of ordinary business acumen, 
and are often the result of following false leaders, or 
the development of a fad. 
Fruit Sales by Auction.— These sales in Kent 
are looked forward to with great interest by buyers 
and sellers. Cherries are generally sold first, on 
the trees, and the competition is often very keen for 
choice lots. They have been known to make £8o 
per acre, but that is an exceptional price. Plums 
are often included. Bush fruits and Strawberries 
are sometimes sold by auction where the grower 
prefers a certain price "cash down’’ to the chances 
of market sales. All these are called soft fruit sales, 
and later on Pears and Apples are also sold by 
auction as hard fruits. In these sales the buyers 
are either local men who make it a trade, or London 
salesmen who have made contracts to supply buyers. 
The buyers take all risks, the sellers getting ready- 
money and safe-guarding themselves by the customary 
rules as to damages. It is not advisable to sell fruit 
by auction from trees under ten years old, as natur 
ally buyers’ pickers are not so careful in gathering 
the fruit as the owners would be, and young trees 
are apt to be seriously damaged by heavy ladders 
being used. The growers pick young trees with 
step-ladders, which stand without the support of the 
tree itself. 
The Kent System in other Counties. —My 
visits to various fruit centres have impressed on my 
mind the fact that we in Kent do not enjoy a mono¬ 
poly of the best soils and situations, and it is certain 
that where the Kent systems of pruning and culture 
are faithfully carried out, there are thousands of 
acres of available land that could be profitably 
brought under fruit culture. This is demonstrated 
in many distant counties, where the orchards have 
been started with healthy young trees, the results 
astonishing the planters. I, as an expert, receive 
very fine fruit for naming from even Scotland and 
Ireland. 
Social Aspect.— It will be conceded that the 
growth of fruit has had a marked effect on the 
health of the middle and lower classes, and has also, 
I believe,helped the cause of temperance. This is due 
honour to sanitary engineers and authorities. I claim 
that the health of the large towns and cities has been 
appreciably improved by the fact that good whole¬ 
some fruit can now be purchased at a cheap rate, a 
remark which covers Oranges and foreign produce 
also. It is admitted that the extended culture of 
fruit has perceptibly raised the standard of living in 
Kent, as among the rural population, so much can 
be earned by the women, girls, and boys, combined 
with the higher wages paid as piece work to the fruit 
men who live in the county, that the villagers are 
better fed and clothed than they used to be. At the 
same time fruit growing prevents that depletion of 
villages which goes on in other places, while the 
general prosperity of the country is increased. This 
is also a national matter, because the best soldiers 
and sailors are found in recruits reared in the rural 
districts. It is well known that large numbers of 
fruit pickers spend the summer months in Kent, 
coming from London and other populous towns, who, 
we fear, do not always take much cash back with 
them, but doubtless their health is benefited by the 
open-air work. 
Probable Profits.— Hitherto I have spoken of 
practical matters relating to culture and disposal of 
produce, naturally some idea of the profits of this 
industry will be looked for, and I feel unable to give 
these with any approach to accuracy because the 
information at my disposal has been rendered to me 
confidentially; and to speak of some of the large 
returns made would be unfair without discounting 
these results by losses through bad years, 
caused by wet seasons, late spring frosts, summer 
blights, gales, &c. Therefore, to arrive at an 
estimate it is best to take three years’ profits 
and average them, when the result will work 
out as follows: — 
Cherry orchards on grass, per acre, £20. 
Apple „ „ „ £15. 
Mixed „ ,, ,, £15. 
These estimates are for established orchards in full 
bearing, and such would probably pay the rent if 
used as grazing land for sheep, independent of top 
fruit crop. 
Per Acre. 
Mixed plantations with top and bottom 
fruit over four years old .. .. £20 
Gooseberries alone .. .. .. £25 
Raspberries „ .. .. .. £20 
Red Currants ,, .. .. .. /12 
Black ,, ,, . £15 
It will be readily understood that much depends 
on the state and condition of the orchards, and it 
may be remarked that these average profits are 
frequently doubled and trebled, while absolute losses 
are comparatively rare. 
The cost of establishing a grass orchard is variously 
estimated at £15 to £20 per acre for the first year’s 
outlay. If on arable land (as before stated) the out¬ 
lay may be recouped by vegetable crops before the 
land is laid down to grass. The expense of estab¬ 
lishing a mixed plantation is placed at £30 to £40 
per acre. In the latter, an earlier crop amply repays 
for the extra initial expense. In estimating profits, 
some experienced farmers consider seven years a 
better average, as they fear that a less term is too 
short; as profits are sadly discounted by such 
indirect causes as strikes, epidemics, cold seasons, 
and wet weather. 
(To be continued.) 
There are reckoned to be 27,000 gardeners in the 
United Kingdom. 
SOCIETIES. 
EPPING AND ESSEX HORTICULTURAL.— 
June gth & 10th. 
The horticultural department of the Essex Agricul¬ 
tural Society, opened its show on Friday under 
very favourable conditions in the meadow belonging 
to Mr. Symes. Two large tents were canvassed off 
for Horticulture away from the noise of the other 
part of the show. Mr. W. Pearson, the indefatigable 
secretary, and officers, deserve much praise for the 
great taste in the arrangement of the staging, groups, 
and tables. In this latter there was some keen 
competition, many showing much taste. 
In the Nurserymen and Market Growers’ section 
for a group of plants arranged for effect, space 250 
sq. ft., Messrs. Geo. Paul & Sons, Cheshunt, were 
awarded first, showing Rhododendrons, Azaleas, and 
Bamboos. For a group of plants in flower, Mr. T. 
A. Hammerston, Epping, was placed first with 
Hydrangeas, Fuchsias, Kalosanthes, etc. 
For a group of Roses, not less than twenty-four 
distinct, Messrs. Paul & Son, Cheshunt. were first, 
with Mr. Wm. Rumsey, Waltham Cross, second. 
For forty-eight cut Roses not less than twenty-four 
varieties, Messrs. Frank Cant & Co., Colchester, 
were a good first, with Mr. Rumsey second. 
For twenty-four bunches of cut flowers (hardy 
herbaceous), Messrs. Paul were first, with Mr. 
R. Wallace, Colchester, a good second. 
In the section for gentlemen gardeners, for a group 
of plants arranged for effect, space 12 ft. by 8 ft., 
Mr. S. C. Marsh, J.P , Gaynes Park, Eppmg, was 
an easy first; with Mr. J. W. Melles, second; and 
Mr. C. E. Green, third. 
For eight stove and greenhouse plants, Mr. J. W. 
Melles, Sewardstone was first. For eight ornament¬ 
al foliage plants, stove and greenhouse, also for six 
Caladiums, Mr. J. W. Melles took first place. For 
six exotic Ferns, distinct, Mr. C. E. Green, Theydon 
Grove, took the lead ; with Mr. W. R. Clarke, 
Debden Hall, second ; and Mr. W. Macandrew, third. 
For six show or fancy Pelargoniums in pots, Mr. W. 
Macandrew came first, and Mr. J. W. Melles, second. 
For six Coleus, Mr. R. Jay, Easthorpe Lodge, took 
first; Mr. W. Macandrew, second ; with Mr. C. E. 
Green and Mr. J. W. Melles equal third. For six 
double and six single zonal Pelargoniums, distinct, 
Mr. C. E. Green and Mr. H. Gibson were first and 
second, with Mr. J. W. Melles third for doubles. 
For six Fuchsias in flower, distinct, Mr. C. E. 
Green came first; Mr. H. Gibson, second. For six 
hardy Ferns, distinct, Mr. W. Macandrew stood 
first, with Mr. C. E. Green, second. In the table 
decorations, for six plants, distinct, in 6-in. pots, Mr. 
J. W. Melles came first; and Mr. C. E. Green, 
second. For six table plants, in 4-in. pots, Mr. W. 
Macandrew came in first; with Mr. J. W. Melles, 
second. 
The trade was well represented, and groups of 
plants and cut flowers came from well-known firms. 
Messrs. R. Wallace & Co., Colchester, who contri¬ 
buted a very meritorious exhibit, in which fine pots 
of Lilium rubellum, a delicate pink; also of L. 
tenuifolium, deep coral-red; and L. excelsum, 
having pretty straw-coloured flowers, and many 
varieties of Irises of the Germanica group; also 
many varieties of Calochortus, including C. Purdyi, 
C. Eldorado varieties, and luteus. 
From Messrs. Barr & Sons, of Covent Garden, 
came one of their well-known groups, comprising 
Irises, Paeonies, Oriental Poppies, &c. In this 
group some large bunches of Iris Mrs. H. Darwin 
were shown, with white standards and falls; also I. 
pallida Walneri, and the variety Princess Beatrice 
were fine. In Iris species, Spuria notha was well 
shown. A Spanish Iris named Yellow Queen was a 
good yellow. Papaver Princess of Wales was a dis¬ 
tinct variety, with lilac, satiny flowers, as also was 
P. Salmon Queen. Paeonia tenuifolia, with double 
crimson flowers, nestling on fennel-like foliage, was 
very pretty, and bunches of the Crimson Rambler 
Rose were fine. 
Mr. Amos Perry, of Wiuchmore Hill, contributed 
a large bank of cut herbaceous plants and plants in 
pots. Geum Heldreichii was a show in itself. Mr. 
Perry exhibited a very distinct Oriental Poppy, 
named "Fringed Beauty," and truly named. The 
flowers are intense crimson, with a beautiful fringed 
edge. 
Messrs. T. S. Ware, Ltd., Tottenham, had a 
