FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EXPORTS FORSAN FRANCISCO.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVIII, Issue 8483, 6 February 1891, Page 5

FRUIT AND VEGETABLE EXPORTS FORSAN FRANCISCO.

We havo frequently drawn the attention of our readers to the prospect of getting a good price and steady sale for fruit and vegetables grown in Auckland, if sent to the Californian markets at the season when the stocks there of fresh fruit are exhausted. The market is large, and, so for as can be learned, fairly payable prices may be sure to be obtained. By the last mail from San Francisco we have learned that several letters have been received in Auckland, in which certain njerchants here are pressed to engage in the export of Auckland orchard and garden produce to San Francisco. In one letter the writer confines himself to the prospects of fruit alone. A portion of the letter is as follows :— The development of our fruit industry is simply astounding, and the profits realised exceed anything expected by the most sanguine. Of course the short crop East assisted, but even without that exceptional condition the profits on fruit farms_ in California are greater, on the capital invested, than in any other productive industry. _ A great deal of land will be planted in vines and orchards this season. I hope Auckland, and New Zealand people generally, will persevere in their fruit enterprise. It took a great many years, and many discouragements and losses, to bring the fruit industry to its present position in California, and New Zealand people cannot hope to escape similar experiences. But you have many advantages on your side, and should profit as far as possible by the practical lessons of California. No doubt your shipping facilities at present induce shipments to London, but the difference in the seasons will in time make your great market the United States.

A gentleman who resided for some time in New Zealand, but is now in California, writes as follows, under the date of January 12

I have just seen Mr. D. G. Camarinos. fruit importer, 519, Sansome-street, San Francisco, and he states that apples are now selling at 2 dollars 25 cents per box. " They are growing scarce," he said, " the crop has been short in the East, and in a fortnight will be selling at 2 dollars 50 cents to 3 dollars. No chance of going lower." He suggests shipments by next steamer, carefully packed and good keeping apples. But your people have already had all the points on this subject. Cut the fruit with scissors, leaving part of the stem on. Then wrap in tissue paper and pack neatly. The fruit should not be loose enough to roll, and a board, flush with the edge of the case should divide the box equally; this will prevent injury by top pressure, and is the way European fruit, especially Spanish and Italian, is packed. Lemons, such as you raise at Auckland, are now worth 5 dollars per box. That is what Sicily lemons, imported to New York, thence by rail to San Francisco, fetch, after paying duty. Early in the season they were worth 10 dollars; but Californian lemon's are now coming in, and they will be cheaper. Onions are imported from Spain for San Francisco, and sell from 60 dollars to 75 dollars per ton. The railroad freight from New York is 13 dollars per ton. If it pays to pay freight and duty from Spain to New York, and thence here, why not ship from Auckland or Sydney, and let the producers make the profit the railroad and middlemen now get? Garlic, imported from Italy, via New York, and sells at 20 cents per lb wholesale, or 400 dollars per ton of 2001b. An acre or half-acre of garlic, properly cured and packed, would pay to raise about Auckland, when you complain of getting nothing for I your produce if shipped home.