SIZE SHOULD BE INCREASED

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXXV, Issue 14210, 8 November 1946, Page 3

SIZE SHOULD BE INCREASED

MARKETING OF LEMONS Views Of Tauranga Growers Suggestion Supported By Association A suggestion that the size of market lemons should be increased from 2 7-16 inches to 29-1 G inches was made by Mr A. R. Brooker at the quarterly general meeting of • the Bay of Plenty Citrus Growers’ Association on Tuesday evening. The speaker produced a number of lemons and a saucer of peel to support his argument. “A beautiful lemon like that, put into peel,” declared Mr Brooker, when he exhibited one which was bigger than the present standard of 2 7-16 inches, y.et within 2 9-16 inches. The Tauranga manager of the Internal Marketing Division (Mr E. J. Jamieson) said that lemons 2J inches were accepted for market now. ‘‘Now I will show you some of the peel manufactured from these beautiful lemons,” continued Mr Brooker, adding that it went musty in a week. “To see beautiful lemons turned into peel like that is wrong,” he stated. ‘‘lncrease the size of lemons and let’s market this beautiful lemon. I think the industry is suffering a big loss through turning lemons like that into peel,” declared Mr Brooker. The peel cost 2/6 a pound. Mr Brooker moved that the Internal Marketing 'Division be requested to alter the orchard picking sizes of lemons for the commercial market from 2 7-16 to 2 9-16. The chairman (Mr G. T. Burbery); While there is a shortage Mr Brooker: Yes. This motion was amended to read that it ho a recommendation to the Citrus Marketing Committee that the size 2 9-16 be included in the marketable grade. Referring to the difference of the fruit produced from matured and young trees, Mr A. P .Baker expressed the opinion that grading should be more on quality than size. The question of picking fruit too early was the subject of comment by Mr G. C. Franklin. People from the south had complained to him about the dried-up fruit. The amended motion was seconded by Mr B. Hartman and carried. The secretary of the New Zealand Citrus Council (Mr S. M. Conway) thought that the question wanted fairly prompt action.

The chairman’felt that it was quite a reasonable proposition. Was there any idea how it would affect the peel situation? he asked.

Mr Jamieson said that peel was very short and this was going to make it worse. However, he explained that lemons were also in short supply, too.

What was the use of making peel when it went bad? asked Mr Brooker, who added that his wife had used peel in cakes without satisfaction. She had used grated lemons and had found it satisfactory.

Mr T. R. Hunt: Why not bring a bit of the cake along?