FRUIT PACKING FOR EXPORT.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 14314, 27 March 1912, Page 3

FRUIT PACKING FOR EXPORT.

DEMONSTRATION AT PAPANUI

An interesting demonstration of fruitpacking for export was given nt Mr F. ►Si§sons's orchard, Pnpanni, yesterday afternoon by Mr J. H. Thorpe, orchard instructor, Department of Agriculture. Mr "\V. J. Courtier, orchard instructor for Canterbury, was also present. The demonstration was held under the auspices of tlio Canterbury; Fruitgrowers' Association, and was fairly well at'tendeer by "jleighbouring "orcha'fdists, ■hut in view of the.great-importance of the matter, the- attendance- should have been larger. Mr Thorpe, who has recently joined the Department, comes from Tasmania, where ho has been connected with orchard matters for many years, , .and has paid special attention to the question of preparing fruit for export. The system demonstrated by Mr Thorpe yesterday afternoon is known as "pocket packing." ami its object is to obviate, or reduce as far as possible, the bruising that the fruit is liable to when square packed. Pocket packing also makes the best possible use of the spaco available in a case. The principle underlying the method may be described, roughly, as similar to that upon which bees build their honey cells. The apples aro placed flat in the case, with the eyes upwards, and are so disposed that the sides of two apples protect tho sides of another placed partly between them. The details of the system, when demonstrated, are easily comprehended, but are not so easily described. Mr Thorpe packed several cases of apples. He packed two or threo cases with apples wrapped in thin paper, and showed the manner in Avhich this -wrapping is done. In Australia, he stated, some- expert packers are able to pack as many as 150 cases per day, but 60 or 80 cases per day is considered good work. Mr Thorps also packed apples not "wrapped up in paper, and these took somewhat longer to pack, as those in paper, when placed in the case, remained'in position, but those- not wrapped in paper had to be held in position. The demonstration was followed with the keenest interest, and Mr Thorpe answered several questions arising out of the demonstration. He- referred to tho necessity for first grading tho fruit, according to size, otherwise tho regularity of the packing under the pocket system could not be attained. This grading by sizo is also of importance from tho Home market point of view, as dealers insist on it. J :\ Regarding the prospects of Xe'w Zealand developing an export trade Mr Thorpe said that between 60,000 aud 70,000 cases of apples wero imf)orted from Tasmania and America ast year, and Xow Zealand ought to bo able to supply sufficient to render importation unnecessary. The South American market could absorb 100,000 cases, and this trade should be secured by New Zealand orchardists. '■ Mr Sissons remarked that twenty years ago >"ew Zealand exported apples to Rio de Janiero. but for some unexplained reason this trade had stopped. In reply to a question, Mr Thorpe said that not many cases of apples wero .sent from Australia to India. What trade there was, was in the hands of dealers, and the growers had .not yet got in direct touch with tho trado. Regarding tho London market, Mr Thorpo pointed out that in England the people in different parts of the country possessed particular tastes in regard to apnles, and tho distributors drafted tho different kinds to tho localities where there was a demand for them. It was necessary to have the apples graded so that this drafting process could be done. If New Zealand exported to England and South America tho Dominion market would be relieved, with the result that better prices would rule locally. At the conclusion of the demonstration Mr Sissons proposed a vote of thanks to Mr Thorpe, and said that Canterbury orchardists intended exporting they must put up their fruit in the most efficient way, and not adopt haphazard methods. Tho methods demonstrated by Mr Thorpe had opened their eyes, and he did not doubt that many would adopt them with advantage to themselves. The vote of thanks was accorded hy acclamation, and was suitably acknowledged by Mr Thorpe. A vote of thanks was also accorded Mr Sissons for providing tho fruit for the demonstration.