Ellsworth American. [volume] (Ellsworth, Me.) 1855-current, 1886-09-16
Fruit Garden.
IMPORTING AMERICAN APPLES.


The following letter addressed by
Messrs. J. W. Draper 4 Son of Covent
Garden, to exporters of American APP
piles may prove interesting to our read
ers. and We have to thank Messrs. ORA
per for copy of it: This year may
be regarded as the commencement OF
a new era in the import trade. The
exhibitions that now take place annu-
ally in London have done much to fos-
ter competition between this country
and America. hut the latest, and per-
haps the most successful. OF the series
the Indian and Colonial-has given the
greatest prominence to matters horticul-
tural The British colonies are we'll
represented in every department.. but in
none more SO than in the fruit trade.
Hitherto the orange growers of Flori-
da and the Brazils have year by year
endeavored to obtain a footing along
side the Valencia. st. Michael, and
other European shippers; but to-day
they find fresh competitors from Natal,
the Cape. and Australia-the latter we
consider likely to he anything but au in
significant rival In addition TO tropical
fruits, such a. bananas. mangoes, &c,
there is also every prospect of regular
shipments OF grapes and apples from the
antipodes. 'Will this ask some, 'af-
feet the American apple tradeE We
answer, not in the slightest degree.
America enjoys indisputably the repu-
tation Of being the best apple-produc-
ing country; for quality, variety and
weight she stands unequalled, and,
whatever may be on the market. Ameri-
can apples can always command a
sale.
1T has been our custom 10 issue pc
riodically tabular reports regarding the
apple crop, in England, France. Ger
many, Belgium. Holland. &c. in order
that our consignors might in some de-
gree be guided as to the prospects for
shipments from the United States and
Canada. This season offers iairer IN
ducemcnts 10 extended operations than
perhaps any OF its predecessors. AS the
crops in England, France, Germany,
and in the Low Countries are unusually
light while those grown in Italy, Spain.
aud Portugal do not influence the mark
ct. their quality being altogether OF an
inferior character American shippers,
therefore, need not hesitate TO export
largely they have the field to them
selves and provided the fruit reaches It's
destination in sound condition, there can
be no doubt Of fair result OF course.
in these days Of keen competition much
depends on The style Of packing uniform
ity Of quality, &c, and for this rca-
sou, We think il well to repeat our old
instructions concerning these matters.
feeling couyirc cd that too much attcn-
ton cannot he given TO them.
"kINn>.-Best sorts, such n New
towns. Baldwins. Russcts. &c. are al
ways in demand, and il properly sciec-
ted aud well put up. will almost iuvn-
riably meet with a good market. Each
cash should have legibly stencilcl
thereon the name Of the apple. thus,
'Newtown. Northern spy, &c, this
saves much trouble on arrival. aud ia
ciIitaIc> the handling Of the goods at
our auction sales.
"BRANpINo One mark should bc
adopted and adhered to, as by ,hi.
means reputation i established
Buyers know in time whether or not they
can depend upon the packer, and will
purchase or reject according TO the po-
siiiou such and such a shipper holds in
their estimation. Il Is for this reason
greatly to a packer, interest TO deal
fairly, and 80 win the confidence of the
purchaser. Once fairly known. his
brand will be eagerly sought after
"PAokING.-Apples should be pack
ed tightly. 80 a to prevent damage
from oscillation in transit Casks
should be filed from the bottom, so
when the head is opened fat surface i.
presented The fruit should also lie
evenly sorted aud uniform in size and
quality throughout AS fine at the bot
tom and middle as on the top. The fol
lowing remarks. made By New York
house on this point some two seasons
ago, are pIthy aud well worth attention
In regard to packing there is much
room for improvement, and faults III
this respect are not entirely confined Il
state packers. \ large part OF the re-
ceipts, especially during the last two
seasons, have been stuffed the mid
die Of the barrels containing inferior,
trashy fruits, topped off with few lay
ers of good apples. Buyers soon find
this out, and the poor apples bring Nc
more than they are worth. The stock
should be closely graded, the primes
and seconds being packed separately
and plainly marked. ONLY one variety
should be packed in a barrel, and the
kind and grade neatly stenciled on the
head. The top layer should show, on
opening the barrel. fair aver
aye Of the quality throughout the
package. Brands packed in this man.
ner will very soon acquire reputation
which will amply repay packers for
their care and honesty.
"RoUTE.--This is a question of the
utmost Importance, ard although a
London house, we must say that the
Liverpool route is by far the best
Shipments made from New York, Bos-
ton, Philadelphia, Montreal, or any
other ports TO Liverpool at a through
rate to London reach us in Il minimum
Of time, and therefore in better condi.
ton than would otherwise be the case
while the direct London route is SUBJ
ject to delay. and an additional objec-
ton presents itself in the shape OF
heavy whar. and lighterage expenses
indeed so great is the difference in
these respects, that while Sd. per cas6
may be fairly rcckoned as covering al
extras excepting. of course. cost Of
cablegrams and auctioneers' commits.
slon) beyond the original charge fol
freight and primage for goods ria Liv.
erpool, the London dock and wharf ex.
j penses, with carriage, &C., amount to
something like l0d. cask.
AS rule the late shipments, more
especially if the apples are of a keep
ing character, are the most profitable
The demand for the earlier sorts is moi
so steady; prices fuctuate considera
/ bly,. aud the tone Of the market is Of
tan nanrio;npz ,-o@ m .La E,r1nao,