10 SEPTEMBER 1898, Page 3

A notable and welcome achievement in the transport of fruit

is recorded this week,—the arrival by the ' Austral ' of a cargo of Australian oranges in perfect condition. Hitherto the popularity of the orange, one of the most delicious as well as wholesome of fruits, has been seriously impaired in this country by its intermittent supply, or rather by the inability to secure oranges in large quantities in good condition and at cheap prices during the hot season. Until now the culture of the orange in Australia has not been regarded Ls a profitable industry owing to the absence of facilities for conveyance to the best markets. These diffi- culties, thanks to the improvement in refrigerating machinery, have now been overcome, and the orange bids fair to take its place as a popular summer fruit.