worth
1360.371  fr.
539,534  kil.
worth
1.813,951  fr.
512,003  kiL

worth
1,221,532  fr.
33,2H5kiL

worth
74.89i  fr.
509,618  kiL

worth
M46,6f0fr.
Prepareii  cocoa

other  thaocboco-

Uie,  grouDd  cocoa,

racahoot,chncolate

tapioca,  <&c.
590,626  kiL

worth
911,095  fr.
57,178  kil.
worth
100,C62fr.
467.266  kil.
worth
817,715  fr.
3,829  kil.
worth

6.701  fr.
463,437  kil.
worth
811.0l4fr.
Preserved  Fish,  Vegetables  and  Fruit.
At  tbe  time  of  the  Paris  Exposition  of  1889,  the  industry
of  preserved  food  prodacts  was  still  in  its  rudimentary
stage  in  Belgium.  Wliile  experimenting  and  trying,  the
small  manufacturers  carrying  out  this  industry,  did  not
conceive  the  possibility  of  finding  a  market  for  these
products.  Preparing  small  quantities  intended  for  a
limited  circle  of  customers,  they  were  not  properly
equipped  and  lacked  capable  employes  to  assist  them  in
competing  with  the  foreign  products.
Impressed  h^  this  state  of  thinp;s,  and  specially  by  the


1 38

unequal  struggle  which  these  manufacturers  had  to  main-
tain, the  Government  decreed  a  custom  tax  of  i5  francs
for  each  loo  kilog.  on  foreign  preserves  at  their  importa-
tion in  Belgium.  Since  that  time  this  industry  has  deve-
lopped  considerably.  The  markets  of  the  Congo  afforded
the  opportunity  for  the  manufactures  to  equip  themselves
and  to  train  a  suitable  staff  in  prevision  of  large  and
continuous  transactions.  Very  soon  did  our  manufac-
turers get  equal  to  the  circumstances,  and  powerfal
manufactories  have  been  erected  which  enable  them  to
compete,  with  regard  to  price,  quality,  and  importance  of
production,  with  the  foreign  establishments  which  had
formerly  conquered  our  market.
The  old  soldered  box  has  been  superseded  in  our  countr^'^
by  the  flanged  box,  which  is  perfectly  sound  and  can  be
manufactured  by  thousands  daily,  allowing  to  stow  the
vegetables  in  the  box  when  freshly  gathered  and  to  pre-
serve its  arome.
