MAHURANGI FRUIT in LONDON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXV, Issue 9153, 7 September 1888, Page 3

MAHURANGI FRUIT in LONDON.

ADVICE RESPECTING PACKING. Messrs. B. and H. McKinney, of this place, who sent fruit to London by the direct steamer Ruapehu, have kindly placed at my disposal the result of the venture. The weight of fruit sent was 6111b, and the kinds were—Ohinemuri apples, seven boxes ; Gladney's Red, one box; Stone Pippins, one box; Vicar of Winkfield pears, one box ; Uvedale's St. Germani pear, one box. The fruit was in excellent order when it left here; was carefully handled, and wrapped, each fruit separately in tissue paper, and was placed in the boxes immediately on being gathered. Tho fruit cost for shipment, etc., before leaving Auckland £3 19s sd, and it cost in London 15s 6d. Only 841b of the fruit were fit for sale when it reached London, and for this there was obtained 9s 6d. The fruit sent was the very pick of the orchard, and would have fetched in Auckland £7, so that the senders lost on the consignment £11 5s 4d. So much for sending fruit to London ! Mr. Morrison, of this place, sent fruit at the same time as the above was sent with, I understand, a trifling better result. One box of Mr.. Morrison s of Gladney's Red went home in perfect condition, and brought 15s. This would be a payable result were the charges for shipment, etc., not so horribly exorbitant. Could the fruit be put on board the steamer for London in Auckland great advantage would be obtained, as the knocking about it receives in going to Wellington' for transhipment is bad. I he fruit sent was consigned to Messrs. Sutton and Co., carriers, London, who sent it for sale to Messrs. Draper and Son, Covent Garden. Draper and Son were highly pleased with the quality of the fruit. They sent to Sutton and Co., for transmission to New Zealand, the following letter re the packing and sending of fruit:—"The New Zealand apples we sold for your account were exquisite, and we are convinced that if fruit of this quality were packed with sufficient care, and according to the proper method, your friends would find the shipment of apples to our market a most successful enterprise. The method your friends should adopt is as follows : The apples should be sorted, and the different kinds, sizes, and qualities packed separately. Marks should be put upon the oases, denoting the quality of the contents. The kind of apple may with advantage be described in full upon the cases, although that is not absolutely necessary, as a mark is sufficient for our guidance at the sale. Besides quality marks, each shipper should use a shipping mark or brand, which ought to be large and distinct. The number of apples contained in each case should be also marked on the lid or side of the case. Only two, or at most three layers of apples should be put into a case, and the total number of apples in each package should be regular—say 48 finest apples, or 56 larger apples, or 60 medium apples. The way in which the fruit should be packed is as follows : The lid of the case should be nailed on, and the bottom taken off. A sheet of clean paper should then be placed inside the lid, and the first layer placed very carefully and regularly upon the paper, the eyes of the fruit being downwards. The object of this is that when the lid of the case is opened at the sale the fruit should have a neat, marketable appearance. Another sheet (or more) of paper should then be laid over the first layer, and the second layer put in, sufficient paper shavings being put on the top to fill the case tightly, and prevent oscillation, and then the bottom should be nailed on. It is necessary that we should receive detailed advice of all shipments by letter."