1 Juxy, 1899.] QUEENSLAND AGRICULTURAL JOURNAL. 35 
the form of preserves is almost the best confiture in the world, make up the list 
of the best Cape fruits, and we have no hesitation in saying that these, when 
properly cultivated and of good varieties, are some 25 per cent. better than any 
other, except certain yaricties grown in England and Western Europe under 
glass. Jt 1s worth remembering also that in addition to the happy accident of 
the Cape autumn occurring at a season which enables its fruits to be sent here _ 
in winter and early spring, there are differences of season in the colony itself. 
The first plateau, which runs all round the coast, produces its crop at an interval 
from that on the second plateau, while the roasting heat and drought of the 
western province cause a different season for the crop from that in which 
the table grapes ripen in the east, where there are rains in November and 
February. : 
Nor are the Cape growers handicapped, as are those in the West Indies, by 
want of adequate steam service or easily reached markets. The huge increment 
of wealth in the goldfields has caused passenger lines to increase their steamers 
in number, size, and accommodation. These steamers, meant to carry those 
enriched by the goldfields, or those who in hope of being rich are careless of 
expenditure, are the ideal vessels for fruit transport—speedy, roomy, and 
furnished with ample cold storage. Yet Cape fruit, except the little black 
grapes, is very dear. It is still a costly luxury, not a popular delicacy. The 
Japanese plums grown in South Africa were, in May, selling at 1s. apiece 
in Covent Garden, Cape peaches were 1s. 6d. each, and pears 8d. The quality 
of all three kinds was perfect, but they could only be regarded as specimen 
fruit. While the crop remains dear and uncertain, it is not strange that 
little Cape fruit is yet imported, compared with the demand. The blame 
lies entirely at the doors of the growers themselves. Their Government is 
endeavouring to awaken Afrikander opinion on the subject. They need 
teaching that only the best fruit is wanted here; that this must be carefully 
sorted, beautifully packed, so that in the package the fruit looks like a piece of 
decoration, or, at least, as fresh as when plucked ; and that then the English 
public will pay a good price for it. At present the farmers are mostly too 
ignorant and indolent to do this. The fruit, as the Government Botanist 
complains, is thrown into kerosene tins or any chance receptacle, and sent off 
to be hawked about the local towns instead of being properly graded and sold 
in Europe and America. They should be taught the methods of California. 
Unlike the Cape, California has no near markets, as at Cape Town and 
Johannesburg. The shortest journey is to Chicago, 2,500 miles by rail, which 
costs £10 for every ton of fruit. New York is 3,500 miles distant, yet tens 
of thousands of tons are sent by rail to each city. They also ship their fruit 
another 3,000 miles by sea from New York to England, making 6,500 miles in 
ul; and they make this pay, though their season is the same as our own. ° If 
California had the season of the Cape, and could get its peach and grape crops 
into our market in the winter and spring, it would double its industry. But te 
organisation of the Californian growers is perfect. The Fruit Growers’ Union, 
in “acre shares,” so that the smallest and the largest owners are members, 
collects the fruit, despatches it, and finds a market. The Cape growers have 
only to study the Californian system of business and modern modes of -culture, 
and Nature will complete an industry as yaluable as the goldfields and more 
lasting. 
EARLY STRAWBERRIES. 
We have been shown and have tasted some strawberries which were erown at 
Mooloolah by Mr. C. Court from seed imported by him from Mr. Root, the 
most celebrated strawberry-grower in America. The fruit in question was 
forwarded to Mr. A. H. Benson, Government Fruit Expert, who furnishes the 
following particulars about the berries :— 
The fruit is of beautiful shape, one variety being large and broad, the other 
of most symmetrical conical form. The flavour is in marked contrast to that 
