iv ACCOUNTS AND PAPERS: 1902. Consular Salaried Service : [Cd. 1003.] Despatch from the British Delegates, enclosing copy of the Convention, signed on March 5th, 1902. [Cd. 1013.] Correspondence relating to the Brussels Sugar Bounty Con- Trade Reports Index : [Cd. 923.] Index to Reports of His Majesty's Diplomatic and Consular REPORT ON THE DUTCH BRINED VEGETABLE INDUSTRY. Presented to both Houses of Parliament by Command of His Majesty. PRINTED FOR HIS MAJESTY'S STATIONERY OFFICE, And to be purchased, either directly or through any Bookseller, from EYRE & SPOTTISWOODE, EAST HARDING STREET, FLEET STREET, E.C., and 32, ABINGDON STREET, WESTMINSTER, S.W.; or OLIVER & BOYD, EDINBURGH ; or E. PONSONBY, 116, GRAFTON STREET, DUBLIN. 1902. REPORT ON THE DUTCH BRINED VEGETABLE INDUSTRY. To the Secretary, SIR, Board of Agriculture. I HAVE the honour to submit herewith a Report on the results of certain investigations made by the Intelligence Division of the Board into the conditions under which the export trade in brined vegetables is carried on in the Netherlands. These investigations were undertaken in consequence of representations addressed to the Board by the Biggleswade Trades and Agricultural Association as to the serious effects of the Dutch competition on the brined vegetable industry in this country. In introducing a deputation from this Association to the President of the Board in April last, Lord Alwyne Compton, M.P., stated that the cultivation and preparation for pickling of onions, gherkins and cauliflowers was until a few years ago a flourishing industry in the Biggleswade district, but that it had declined considerably since 1895 owing to the increasing competition of Dutch and Belgian producers, who were apparently able to place their goods on British markets at lower prices than the market gardeners of North Bedfordshire could afford to accept. This decline, he pointed out, was not only a matter of deep concern to the gardeners at Biggleswade, but had been accompanied by a large reduction in the incomes of the working classes in the neighbourhood, as the various operations connected with the growth and brining of pickling onions gave employment to a large number of women and children. These statements were supported by members of the deputation, some of whom suggested that the Dutch producers enjoyed exceptional advantages in the form of cheap labour and low freight rates, assisted by Government subsidies, which enabled them to undersell British produce. In view of these representations the Board instructed me to visit the Netherlands to inquire into the methods followed in that country in the cultivation and brining of vegetables for pickling, and Mr. Herbert King, of Broom, was nominated by the Biggleswade Trades and Agricultural Association to accomIpany me on this mission. In the course of this inquiry, the principal market-gardening districts in North and South Holland were visited, and an inspection was made of the processes employed in three of the brining factories in these provinces. At the same time particulars were obtained of the working of the Dutch co-operative associations for the sale of marketgarden produce, and several of the auction marts established by these societies were inspected. A visit was also made to one of the winter schools for horticulture and market gardening. The results of these investigations are embodied in the annexed Report, which is divided into chapters dealing with the several aspects of the inquiry. In the appendix translations are given of the rules of two of the leading Dutch associations for the co-operative sale of market-garden produce, and of a detailed syllabus of the lectures at a typical horticultural and market-gardening school. Information as to freight rates was obtained at certain Belgian ports, but it was not found necessary to pursue the investigations in Belgium as it appears that the brining of vegetables is not carried on in that country. The expert knowledge of Mr. King has been of great service in this inquiry, and I desire to express my thanks to him for his advice on many points which arose in connection therewith. I am deeply indebted to Mr. C. H. Claassen, the able Director of the Boskoop school, for much useful information relating to the systems of cultivation employed in the market-garden districts in Holland, and for the readiness and courtesy with which he at all times assisted me in my investigations. My thanks are also due to Mr. A. Wulfse for the two photographs reproduced opposite pages 5 and 6. October 20th, 1902. I am, Sir, Your obedient Servant, R. F. CRAWFORD. |