EXPORT OF APPLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9036, 24 April 1888, Page 5

EXPORT OF APPLES.

Year by year the increase of our orchard 8 will cause fruit-growers to look for markets for their produce outside the colony. The homo country has always been looked upon us the great ultimate market to which our surplus produce of all kinds shall bo sent for ready sale and paying prices, but for perishable articles, such as green fruit, tho period of transit is long, and in the course of six weeks tho keeping qualities of many good VfiriotioH of apples will be severely tested, especially when they have to pass through the equatorial region.". To pay the high chnrgo nindo by tho steamship companies for the use of a cold chamher during transit is liable to severely cut into the margin from which the profits will come. It is sati.tfactory to learn that some of our orchardists are bestirring themselves to find an outside market for surplus fruits, and yesterday Mr. R. Hobbs, M.H.R., shipped by tho mail steamer a large consignment, to test the San Francisco market. Ho cxpecte that apples reaching there in May and early in June will find a ready sale at satisfactory prices. The consignment consists of a number of carefully selected varieties, such as Count of Wick, Nonpareil Russett, Northern Spy, Majetin, Hall's Seedling, Great Unknown, American Garden Ruesott, Stunner Pippin, Pride of Australia, Rcinette du Canada, and Stone Pippin. These varieties are each sent in considerable quantity, sufficient to prove the market, while a number of varieties are sent for tho purpose of obtaining the opinion of San Francisco fruit dealers upon them, and with the prospect of finding a market for them in Sari Francisco in future years. It is to be hoped that the spirited undertaking of Mr. Hobbs will be successful, that others will follow in his footsteps, and that gradually a large and profitable market will be found for our surplus fruit. The apples sent away yesterday arc carefully packed in boxes which go 21 to the ton measurement.