THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIX, Issue 11248, 28 June 1922, Page 5

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

LOCAL MARKET GRADING GROWERS’ BOARD TO MEET NEXT MONTH. IMPORTANT SUBJECTS. Tli© Fruitgrowers’ Federation Board meet towards tho end of next- month} and will be preceded by a mooting of the export committee the previous day to discuss matters referred to them at the recent conference. Tbo same committee will probably consider the subject of standardisation of fruit- for the local markets. At present it is optional for fruitgrowers to adopt Government grading for local markets, for which reason little has been done in tills direction. Speaking to a ‘‘Times” reporter yesterday, Mr A. J. Campbell. Director of Horticulture, refeired to the method of Government grading in California. Grading stamps are issued to growers, at a cost equivalent to something like a halfpenny. If the grading stamp is on the case, the railway and shipping people facilitate the passage of the fruit direct to the market. If the case does not bear the grading stamp, the fruit is detained at the nearest place to the market, where' it- has to wait until it has been examined by inspectors of t-lie department. Of course the use of the stamp places the obligation on the giower to see that the fruit is packed according to the Government grading, and he must take the consequences if it is found to be otherwise.