Virginian-pilot. (Norfolk, Va.) 1898-1911, 1900-10-17
OUR FRUIT TRADE
Beyond the Experimental Stage
Habil Brings Another Big Cargo.
a Delegation of Nlcaraguan Planters En-
route to Norfolk to Promote an Exten-
sion ofRociprocal Trade Relations Pro-
posed Fruit Steamer Line to Biucfieid.

The steamer Habil. of the Norfolk
ana West Iidia Fruit and Steamship
iine' arrived in Norfolk yesterday. The
steamer Is in command of Captain
Huuinundsen He had Il fine voyage
from Port Marie-iine weather and
clear sailing-and came into port here
twelve hours ahead of time. The Ha-
Dii arrived at her Norfolk wharf. ad-
Joining the Clyde Lines pier. at s
O'Clock yesterday morning.
She had a cargo of / / 900 lunches ba-
nanas and $50 barrels of oranres-nlI
hiSn Upgrade fruit. The bananas espc-
cially We're choice. and arrived in fine
condition for shipment to the various
points throughout the country where
there is demand for them In fact
the demand for bananas is very prcat
and is much larger than the supply.
IL is fruit that is growing more pom
ular every day.
The Habits cargo was discharged
yesterday. the fruit being shipped over
the Southern and the Norfolk and
Western Railway lines going TO
Charleston. 5. c., Chattanooga Tenn.
Augusta. Ga, etc, and to the Western
cities of Columbus. Detroit, Buffalo.
and so on.
The Atlantic Coast Line had been en-
gagged to take three carloads South. but
not having suitable cars available ut
the moment, did not participate in the
distribution. This line will likely be
on hand to help haul to interior South
ern markets the next cargo. which is
due to arrive at Norfolk on the steamer
Donald next Monday, I'D instant. The
Donald sailed from jamaica ut noon
yesterday with II coo lunches bananGs
and some other fruit.
The Habil will take ON q full cargo
OF coal to-day preparatory TO return
ing TO the West Indies for another
cargo of tropical fruit. She will dis
charge her cargo of coal ii Kingston.
The business OF The Norfolk and
West India Fruit and Steamship COM
pany is proving paying enterprise.
This being true-the business having
passed the experimental stage those
who embarked in it when it WAS
launched here now have a confidence.
resting on experience tina the iiupOr-
tation of tropical fruit to tic Uuitcl
states, through the port ot Nu.iplk,
in connection with the exports from
here that can be returned ana mar
keted will prove Il permanent and pay
Ing business. and Weld Il rich reward
to its promoters in return for che time
and money they have devoted to it.
PLANTERS COMING HERE.
In this connection 1t may be stated
that delegation Of planters ana fruit
growers left Bluclieds, Nicaragua
Monday of this week for Norfolk. and
are due to arrive here in about ten
days.
They have been in correspondence
with President Bulack and the object
of their visit is in reference to alranr-
ing for an Interchange Of trade be-
tween Nicaragua and the United
States. Those people have tropical
fruit to scll--thc finest i'm the world
and they desire 10 exchange it for
many articles they need which we
manufacture. The reciprocal adVan-
tases growing out OF such an arrange
ment are too obvious. to be discussed.
i has been suggested that three fast
freight steamers he established as q
lire between Blueiields ana Norfolk
one steamer leaving each week.
The matter will be fully discussed
when the conference between these
Nicaraguan gentlemen and President
Bulack takes place.