MARKETING FRUIT

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLVIII, Issue XLVIII, 18 February 1915, Page 3

MARKETING FRUIT

AMERICAN METHODS.

Practically all the truit in the States or Canada, except apples, and the second rate fruit that goes direct to the factories, is marketed in' veneer barrels, etc , and the choicest apples are often exposed for sale in the smaller and tasty veneer packages. Oranges, bananas,. grapefruit, lemons, f rapes, peaches, pears, not to mention all erries, and the lesser known fruits, nearly all come to market in one or other of the many styles of veneer fruit packages ; a large proportion of the vegetables also some for sale in vender. I have seen brussels sprouts, in Portland, Oregon, that had come right across the Continent, with a block of ice in the centre to keep them fresh, and the remains of the ice "were still in the large straight-sided veneer barrel used.

The veneer fruit package factories are, as a rule, large affairs, employing from 50 up to .200 or 300 hands, and the investment of capital is large. Taking it all round, the most popular package at any rate in the East and Middle West is the Climax basket; this is a neatly made, tasty, and strong package, and although each one is sent to market with the handle in place, the handle, instead of being in the way, is really an important point in its value for shipping. Unless you have seen one can hardly believe that a couple-of thousand or more of,! say, 51b Climax baskets full of fruit can be packed on a large waggon and carted over a rough,, stdne : block streets, with only two or three turns of a light rope, just to keep the last p_laced baskets in position. The same security and ease of packing applies to the large 40ft railway cars, which are very quickly, loaded from the farmers' waggons, or tho ,packing houses,, without any tieing, and'arrive after a journey of-hundreds of miles, in perfect condition, all practically as placed in the car at the shipping station. The handles in all. cases are the secret. They are always put in prosper order, crossing and re-crossing, and so binding the whole together, and at the same time giving splendid, ventilation. The covers over the top of the basket vary in different districts, in Canada, very often a cheap open stuff> called Tarlatan, coloured to match the fruit, is used on the cover, and it undoubtedly enhances the appearance of tbs fruit, but generally either a cover of open slats or a plain piece of veneer is used. The sizes of the Climax baskets run from one, two, or three pounds, ofterj used by the fruiterers to display and sell their fruit in, on to the 51b and 81b ones, which are the standard sizes most generally used by the up to the third and half-bushel baskets. In all cases you, of course, get the basket in with the fruit, and so make it handy to carry: ) • . The Californian fruitgrower send his produce to market in another style of package, and generally in what is known as the four-basket Californian crate. This crate is made of veneer, with timber ends, and contains four 81b chip baskets made much in the same way as the strawberry baskets used in New Zealand, but almost invariably bound on the top edge with tin, which gives them a better and a stronger appearance than when the usual Eastern veneer bands are used. • In berry boxes there are many different shapes and makes, but the most popular one. is the same as is used in Auckland for strawberries and other small fruits. The crates that contain; them are made of veneer,' and are jiot returnable, the price being so low that it is not worth while-taking care of them, so that, every package is clean and fresh. \ Oranges, grapefruit, pears, lemons, and in a lesser degree apples, come to market in light but strong boxes. Sometimes the ends aTe of timber, but usually also of veneer, reinforced with small dovetailed cleats. In some districts what are known as. stave baskets are .used ,in half; one, one "arid a-half, and: twobushel sizes; thesevare a very strong and handy package, and can be, and are used over and:over, again,.and can be returned nested.' Bananas come to market .in; What \ looks like a ~ very light:: circular orate, the top larger than the bottom, and each crate carries one bunch: ■-. .-,| The result of the use ,of the cheap and light veneer packages, is first "a saving'of freight,"making; the-fruit look,more- attractive and to carry better, and enabling the man who markets his fruit properly tb", establish his reputation and brand, with the public direct,/as so large a proportion'of the fruit is. sold retaiLin the original package. Often'-even the smaller' baskets' are stamped with the grower's brand, and sometimes his name and address as well. . .'•■■'.-,. Personally, I am so satisfied that if the veneer package is put oh in New Zealand in good style and at. a reasonable price, that, it would become popular here.—J- W. Ellis, _m an exchange. '