APPLES.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19390, 27 July 1926, Page 6

APPLES.

gj r; —Que has watched the efforts made in New Zealand to make the growing of apples a reliable source of industry, and may I be allowed to pass on what I observed in Canada and the United States during two visits of fpur months each. One was struck with the use of this best of fruits. It was in evidence all the time. One may say it was seen at every meal and in quantity. This was the result of well arranged methods of handling, so that the costv to the consumer was well within the buying power of everyone. At Market Square, San Francisco, I called in at a large, welllighted hall, where very many glass-faced pigeon holes were seen. I had a talk with the manager, who told me that he was in touch with a large number of growers, who sent in the samples of their fruit, which was seen in those pigeo'n holes. A purchaser comes in and goes round with the . manager. "I will take three barrels of that, five of that, and so on." The office is entered, the value of the purchase ascertained, and the money paid. The telephone is put into use, and soon the growers concerned have the order to send to such an one the apples ordered, and within a short time the fruit is at the purchaser's house. Only one handling. I asked the manager what his charge was. "Five per cent., and it pays me very well to keep this establishment going." Well, what does the purchaser pay ? About two cents per lb., and the grower does well, too. If is the quantity consumed that enables him to sell at such a low figure. On leaving Vancouver for the trip across Canada. I was iri a store buying articles, and asked for half a dollar's worth of eating apples. I got as many as I cared to carry, about 251b. of the best apples, but found that I need not have got any at all, for on going in to the luncheon rooms for a snack. I found fruit in large trays on the table, just for anyone to put what he pleased into his pockets as he went out. This was in February, answering to our month of August. It is the costs of getting the fruit into the hands of the consumer that kills our industry. Last, lint not least. Luther Bnrbank made it a point to only grow one grade of apples, the best. There were at least two thinnings of the growing fruits, and any that did not give promise of being first-class were cut away, so that the tree was using its strength in rearing only the best. This also cut out the grading of fruit, and such was tb<~ character he gained for his fruit, that he seemed far and away the highest prices, and others followed his lead. Feed. H. Spexceb.