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Dominion, Volume 36, Issue 271, 11 August 1943, Page 4

It is .satisfactory to learn that in the planning of two additional dehydration plants for vegetables, similar to the proposed plant at Btikckohe, recognition is being given to the post-war possibilities of this process. The Minister of Marketing has stated that tlie works are to be built, “with a view to their use after tlie emergency period has passed.” That is the only coinmon-sen.se policy, for it seems evident that lhe dehydration of foodstuffs by improved methods developed during the past two or three years has come to stay, and may grow into a great and valuable export industry for food producing countries such as this Dominion. Particular care should therefore be taken to ensure that dehydration facilities —which should be available as close as possible to growing areas—are evenly distributed with an eye to tlie future as well as to wartime requirements. Meanwhile, another aspect of dehydration is rousing public interest in the United States and should not be overlooked in this country. Simple blueprints and materials for the manufacture of small household dehydrators, which, it is said, can be built by a handy man for about £;> apiece, are being released by the War Purchase Board. As a beginning 100.000 are to be manufactured by private enterprise and marketed this year through the use ■! retail channels. This suggests an interesting possibility by way of home dehydration in New Zealand, carried out in conjunction with the campaign for greater production of home-grown vegetaliles. Sreeessliil dehydration of home-grown supplies, for family consnmplion out ol season, could represent an enormous aggregate economy mid, for tlie duration of tlie war at least, might become a means of conserving much greater quantities of vegetables for the overseas fighting forces.