Phillipsburg herald. [volume] (Phillipsburg, Kan.) 1882-1905, 1905-04-06
AMERICAN FRUIT ABROAD.
Occupies an Important Place in the
Trade Of the United
Kingdom.

The year 1903 was remarkable for the
largest importation of apples from the
United States ard Canada on record.
The receipts for the united kingdom
reached the enormous quantity OF
3,053, 900 barrels. of which no less than
1876, 000-more than half the total
arrived at Liverpool. The growth OF
the trade has been very remarkable. In
1899 imports of American apples were
valued at $1,72S.525; in 1903 they were
valued at S7,1O0, 66O-more than one
half the total from all foreign countries
and British colonies and possessions
combined. Canada has also about dou-
bled her shipments Of apples to this
market within the last five years, the
value in 1903 being S4,396,955. Owing
to the great scarcity Of the fruit crop
in England in 1903, apples realized very
good prices.
On the whole the American fruit came
In very good condition, but there were
occasions when it was variable in quail
ity and condition. The trade here de-
plores the decadence of the quality OF
good old Hudson River Newtown pip
pins, and although a considerable guam
uty was received here, few, If any, came
up to the standard for first-class trade.
The California Newtowns have been re-
ceived again in large quantities, but
they are wanting in appearance, which
Is their chief recommendation.
The outlook for this year 19O4) In
the American apple trade is not so
good, as there is large crop of English
apples, which has had its effect upon
early arrivals from the United States.
1t is noted, however, that the con-
sumption Of American apples Is stead
lily increasing in this country, and has
such a hold upon the people that no
matter what the home crop may be
there will always be a demand for the
American product. 1t is satisfactory to
note that the method of packing and
shipping is about as near perfection as
1t is possible to be. A great many NJ
the steamers are now fitted with the
exhaust system of ventilation, which
has proved an undoubted success.
The English market is supplied with
good apples for quite long season.
First, there is the home supply; then
come the American and Canadian i'm
portations; and then, covering the
spring, come shipments from Tasmania,
which last year amounted In value to
S765, 1886, a slight falling off as compared
with the previous year, but nearly
double the value Of five years ago. The
Tasmania apples are delicate, nice
looking fruit, but they lack the robust
lusciousness Of American apples.
A few years ago most of the fine
years sold in this country came from
France. The United States now leads
France in this trade Five years ago
France sent pears to The value Of $74S,-
365; last year the value had fallen to
1851, 4SO. The value Of the importations
from the United States rose from SEA-
1856 in 1899 to 1854 1O in 1908.
ALLbullOu mas UCcu uloWh SO'SA1A
times in these reports to the growing
taste Of the British people for bananas.
A few years ago they were almost I'M
known in this market, but now they are
about as plentiful and cheap as in the
United States. This Is fact in which
Liverpool takes much pride, as tho
trade is owing altogether to the enter
prise of Liverpool shipper, and the
trade is still distinctly Liverpool one.
Last year the total value Of the banana
importations was 1884, 445. The Ca
nary Islands have by far the biggest part
OF this trade, the value Of last years
shipments being $4,544,57O. Great en-
deavors have been made to increase the
sale Of Jamaica bananas, but the amount
imported is only one-sixth that Of the
fruit from the Canaries. The latter
fruit is smaller than the Jamaican
banana, but the flavor is much finer and
the bananas get here in better condi-
ton.