Australian Fruit.

Manawatu Herald, 10 November 1898, Page 2

Australian Fruit.

-^1 Tha representatives of the Gear Meat Company of New Zealand in Vancouver writes to Sydney as follow?, regarding the prospeot9 of trade in Australian fruit in British Columbia ; -It rests entirely with your people if you will build up a substantial trade with British Columbia, and the midland and IP north western provinces of Canada. The local market for fruit is a very good one, but with the exception of a short season, entirely dependent on Californian fruit. Oranges from your side have been shipped here, but only of the most inferior quality. Real good fruit, in large boxes, would do all right. Lemons are • selling just now at eight dollars per box. They are worth in &yA|^ Francisco five dollars 50 cents, witir a rising tendency. A consignment of, say, 200 oases per month from now till Christmas would meet with

good results. Thereafter CaliforniaD fruit will come in and cheapen the market considerable. After D-cem ber this market can absorb 200 cases of grapes per month. The most suitable way is to pack then in sawdust, and a good table grapemuscatel for instance —would realise well. Small quantities of peaches *' and apricots, if they can stand the distance, will also sell. Of passion fruit one small shipment arrived, but was previously unknown in this market. However, since then the fruit ia continually asked for, Apples and pears, to arrive from January forward, will not realise well ; but unless they are are entirely free from scale and insect they will be condemned, -the market here can eventually be largely extended, as in addition to the Canadian trade, the American States of Washington, Idaho, and Montana can easily be reached from here, and the duty there is not prohibitive.