THE SOIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVII, Issue XLVII, 22 April 1912, Page 6

THE SOIL

APPLE EXPORT TRADE

Ah interesting description of the third Nelson apple shipment to England is given in a recent issue of the "Journal of Agriculture." The third endeavour to test on a commercial Scale the British ttppWmarket was initiated last month, when representative consignments of applet produced in the Nelson Province were shipped to the Home market. The shipment comprised 5493 cases of apples, eleven cases of pears, and half a case of plums, the two latter fruits being sent privately, though partly for experimental purposes. Of the apples 5411 cases were passed for shipment as being eligible for the Government guarantee of Id. per pound, net return, to the grower. The Motueka growers provided 4629 cases, and Nelson district growers 864. 'I he majority of the apples which were not shipped under the guarantee were not approved for export by reason of the varieties being considered unsuitable, or on account of the apples not being of the desirable size or condition. The apples which | did not participate in the guarantee wire sent by growers to friends at Home. The consignments were examined by Government inspectors at Motueka and Nelson respectively. " Those passed by the inspector and participating in the guarantee bear the Government brand burned into the wood of the case. Prior to and during the work of packing demonstrations in grading and packing were given by two officers of the Department. The Inspector in charge states that, generally speaking, the whole of the apples came to hand in splendid condition, being well graded and packed. A large proportion of the shipment was packed by Mr Rowlands, an expert Tasmanian packer, employed by Messrs Buxton and Co., of Nelson. In the In spector's opinion the shipment should open well on the Home market. The varieties shipped were as follow : Jonathan, 1389 cases; Munro's Favourite, 950; Five Crowns, 837; Alfriston, 641; Stunner Pippin, 566; Cox s Orange Pippin, 212; Cleopatra, 206; Reinette du Canada, 143; Lord Wolse-j ley, 141; Nonpareil Russet, 65 ; Rymers, 58; Cellini, 54; Washington, 35; Adams Pearmain, 28; Ribston Pippin, 22; Scarlet Pearmain, 14; Esopus Spitzenburg. 12; Claygate Pearmain, 11; Rome Beauty, 8; Golden Reinette, 8; King David, 4; Brownlee's Russet, 3; Pioneer, 2; Allington Pippin, 1; Delicious, 1. The apples were mostly packed a little on the green side, this being necessary in order to ensure safe carriage and the reaching of an early and profitable mar ' ket. The fruit was shipped from Motueka and Nelson in small coasta [ steamers, which transferred the fruit into the Home boat at Wellington. In the work of transhipment trays were [ used instead of the ordinary ship slings thereby preventing much of the crushing and bruising which usually takes place. In the hold of the Home boat the "Kaipara," every care was taken to handle the cases properly, and to store them in a way that would ensure safe carriage, the tiers being separated with 1 in. battens, with here and there 2 in dunnage. The chamber was specially prepared and fitted i»jr the apple cargo and there is reason to believe, from the interest taken in the cargo by the officers of the "Kaipara," that the fruit will be landed on the Home market ir good condition. It will be carried at a temperature of from 35 deg. to 38 deg. In addition to the guarantee to growers the Government is giving a bonus of £SO to the ship provided the fruit is landed on the Home market in good conditio.n