CALIFORNIAN LEMONS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 26115, 30 March 1946, Page 3

CALIFORNIAN LEMONS

STONE FRUIT SEASON APPLES PLENTIFUL The first Californian lemons to come to Dunedin for over six years were obtainable on the local marts this week. There was a small quantity only, and the lemons had to be strictly rationed to the trade. The retail price of the Californian’s is Is 4d a pound as compared with 9d a pound for New Zealand grown. The quality, however, of the imported lemons is much superior to that of the New Zealand grown and they are the better “ buy.” Apples are in good supply. A large quantity of Cox’s'Orange pippins arrived from Nelson, but they had to be repacked before going on the market. A few lots of Cox’s Orange pippins have been arriving from the Central in splendid condition. Jonathans should be on the market in a few days’ time. Cooking sorts are in good supply. Pears are not plentiful and supplies are being rationed to the trade. Blackberries are realising high prices. A few lots of second grade raspberries are reaching the marts. Stone Fruits Plums and peaches have been in short supply. On Monday the ceiling price is to be removed for both peaches and plums, and after that date they will be sold at the auction marts to the highest bidder. Apricots are finished for the season, and the season for nectarines is approaching the end. The stone fruit season must have been a good one for orchardists, as little fruit has been sold below ceiling prices and brown rot has been notably absent. The absence of rain in Central Otago enabled the stone fruit trees to carry much better than last season. Some orchardists are pre-cooling their fruit in cool stores before railing. Supplies of tomatoes have improved, but the bulk of the offerings are of inferior grade and this quality is difficult to place. The selling price of tomatoes will be increased by Id per lb on Monday, and on April 14 ceiling prices will be removed and auction prices will rule at the marts. The market has firmed for grapes, consequent on shorter supplies. Hamburgs are almost finished for the season. Gros Colmans are later than usual and have not so far appeared on the market. A fair sized shipment of bananas reached the market during the week. The fruit arrived in a ripe condition and was readily sold by retailers. A small proportion of the fruit had to be repacked. Cucumbers are in good supply. Quinces are realising remunerative prices. The crop will be a light one as most of the growers are now pulling out their trees, as it is considered that quince trees are the cause of fire blight In Central Otago. • Vegetable Supplies

Good quality green peas are in demand. Marrows have been in heavy supply, and have to be sold at low rates. French and runner beans are increasing in supply, most lines, however, are of poor quality. Pumpkins are selling at ceiling prices. Lettuce, cabbages, and cauliflowers are selling at prices which cannot show a margin of profit to the growers. Swedes are in better supply. Wholesale Prices Wholesale prices are as follow: Water melons. 4d to 6d per lb. Raspberries, to 17s 6d per bucket. Blackberries, cultivated, Is 4d to Is 8d per lb; others, to Is 2d per lb. Apples: Cox’s Orange, 6s 9d to 8s 9d per bushel (cases extra); cookers, 4s 6d to 7s 6d; other dessert, 6s 6d to 8s (cases extra). Pears, 9s a half-case (cases extra). Plums: Trays, to BJd a lb; cases, 8s to 10s 2d. Peaches: Trays, to 81d a lb; cases, choice to 10s 2d. Nectarines, 12s to 15s a half-case; trays, 8d to Is per lb. Hothouse grapes, 3s to 4s. Tomatoes, to 8d per lb. Lemons: Californian, from 75s per case; country, 725. Hothouse cucumbers, 5s to 14s a dozen, outside-grown, to 13s per half-case. Quinces, 8s to 11s per half-case. Green peas, choice, 4d to 6d per lb; inferior, 2d to 3d per lb. Broad beans, to 2d per lb. Lettuce: Choice, to Is a dozen; others, unsaleable. Cauliflowers, 3s to 4s 6d. Cabbages, 2s to 4s a sack. Spring onions, Is to 2s a bunch. Onions, f.a.q.. £l7 a ton. Rhubarb, lid to 3d a lb. Potatoes, £9 to £lO per ton. White turnips, to Is a dozen bunches. Swedes, 6s 6d a cwt. Marrows, to lid a lb. French and runner beans, 5d to 7d a lb. Carrots, to lid a lb.