A POSSIBLE NEW INDUSTRY.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 15, 18 January 1905, Page 6

A POSSIBLE NEW INDUSTRY.

(By Telegraph.—Own Correspondent.)

WELLINGTON, this day. There is at present in Wellington a representative of the well - known Smyrna firm of dried fruit merchants, Solari and Co., and from his observation of the soil and climate of the Northern part of this colony he says lie'feels sure that figs and sultana raisins could be produced here, and a most profitable industry in dried fruits be established. Mr Jacques F. Solari, of the firm of Solari and Co., Smyrna, spent four weeks in the Auckland district, and is now on his way South. His firm does an enormous business in dried fruits with England and other countries- Iji reply to questions asked by a "Post" reporter, Mr Solari said that the climate of the Northern part of New Zealand is very similar to that of the "Smyrna district, in Asia Minor, and in Bis opinion the fig and sultana industry might be developed there. As showing the importance of this industry, he gave some figures of the business done in figs and sultanas between Smyrna and England alone. There are 30,000 tons of sultanas shipped from Smyrna to England annually, the value being from £600,000 to £SOO,OOO. About 000 tons of figs are sent to England every year, the value of this export being about £ 150.000. The imports of raisins to this colony in 1903 were 000 tons, valued at £10.000, and according to official returns the import of figs in the same year was 310,0001b.. representing in value about" £4.500. This trade is increasing annually. The success of the dried fruit industry in California is inducing some persons to go in for fig growing in Australia, with the view of establishing the dried fi.sr industry there. It would be worth while for the fruit experts of the Government of this colony to devote some attention to this .subject, with the object of starting the industry in New Zealand; and agriculturists in the warmer climes of the North might with advantage .turn their attention to profitable advantage in launching out on this new industry. Mr Solari offers some valuable suggestions to intending growers on fig caprifieation. a hastening of the ripening of the fruit by the sting of flic fig wasp. The growers, if they wish to ensure that the fruit shall rea«i its fullest maturity and best condition, must Ijpng some wild figs upon the trees, and from the wild fig a wasp issues which transmits to the new fig certain qualities which bring it to perfection. Without these aids there is no hope of being able to turn out the fine dried product which only the Smyrna figs when caprified can give.