CITRUS FRUIT SUPPLY

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXI, Issue 21874, 9 August 1934, Page 15

CITRUS FRUIT SUPPLY

Sir, —In your issue of August 4 apjx>ars an article on above subject, in which figures arc quoted regarding the industry. The number of sweet orange trees already planted, stated to be 5000, is obviously wrong, as on this Kerikeri group settlement alone fully 16,000 sweet oranges have been planted. There are 53 citrus plantations here altogether, and we have planted approximately 24,000 citrus trees, onethird of which are lemons and 16,000 are sweet oranges, namely, Washington Navals and Yalentia Late. More oranges have been planted than lemons for the reason that the consumption of oranges far exceeds 'that of lemons, and if oranges were produced at a popular price the ratio would be much greater. Growers with a knowledge of the subject are of opinion that it will be possible to put Kerikeri oranges on the market to retail at one shilling a dozen, and at that popular price consumption would increase. Cheap oranges are also in keen demand for the production of orange juice as a drink. Kerikeri. G r E Aldeiiton.