THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLV, Issue XLV, 21 March 1910, Page 2

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

STOKE FRUITGROWERS' ASSOCIATION. The monthly meeting of the Stoke Fruitgrowers' Association was held in the Stoke Hall on Friday evening, a week earlier than usual (the last Friday in the month being Good Iriday). There was a large and representative attendance of fruitgrowers. The President (Mr. C. D. Beatson) was in the chair. The correspondence and other business having been, dealt with, Mr. F. R. .Hallam, Orchard Instructor, gave ;i demonstration of packing apples for export, as he had seen it done in Tasmania a fortnight ago. Mr. Hall:;in pointed out that it was absolutely necessary to have apples all of one case in each case, otherwise it was impossible to pack them evenly. A row of apples is first placed across the case both ways to find if they will fit correctly and tirmly; if not, they are packed diagonally, a little wood wool being placed top and bottom to take any jar there may be in handling. It is important to leave all the open spaces possible between the apples in the case—providing, of course, they fit firmly—and not to fill them with paper or wood wool. These spaces create a current of air through the case, which is very important. It is also best to have fairly wide spaces in the cases to

Each apples is placed in wrapping paper, the edges of the paper being drawn round the stalk of apple. The two bottom rows are placed eyes downward, and the remainder eyes up. Then on opening up in London the. paper is torn off the top row by the hand being drawn across the case, and the fruit, being of even size and all the same end up, looks vety attractive. Mr. Hallam was besieged with questions on all sides fl'om growers, who crowded round to watch the operation, and he gave a good deal of useful information while packing, which was much appreciated Mr. Fred Hamilton, of Buxton and Co., who was present, tjien gave- ,a short account of his recent trip to Tasmania, New South Wales and Victoria, and though time was limited he managed to tell a good deal, and was followed with keen interest. Mr. Hamilton said that from what he had seen of the Tasmanian fruit (h e had seen it picked and packed, and also watched it being stowed in the ship's cool store), there was no need to be ashamed of the shipment we were sending from Nelson. As to the apples themselves, they were far better in colour and quite equal in flavour to the Tasmanian. The only fault was that some of our fruit was rather large (as dessert) for the London market, though Mr. Hamilton said that full-flavoured and large fruit found great favour in Germany and also in some parts of England. Buxton and Co. had taken the precaution to have a most reliable firm of brokers to watch their interests with regard to the sale of the apples in London. Mr. Hamilton also said that the Paparoa was having her cool store thoroughly insulated and fitted with the very latest improvements in cool storage, so that there was every reason to think that the fruit would arrive in first-class order. Both Mr. Hamilton and Mr. Hallam believe that we in Nelson are in a better position than the Tasmanians for exporting fruit, as we are fully a fortnight earlier than they are. on the average, and this season, which is unusually forward, four or five weeks ahead. This gives ys the opportunity to get over fruit on a Dare London market, where good apples always command high prices. Hearty votes of thanks wer e passed to Messrs Hallam and Hamilton, for their valuable information. Mr. F. Hill, of Buxton and Co., showed some very neat and attractive stencils, which are bring cut by Me. Moffatt, Most of the shippers on the Bay side are using them-, on their export shipments, and tiiev certainly add to the appearance o'f the case. Mr._ Hamilton also showed some interesting photographs of th c Tasmanian orchards and packing sheds.