FRUIT FOR SOUTH AMERICA.

Otago Witness, Issue 3097, 23 July 1913, Page 12

FRUIT FOR SOUTH AMERICA.

TASMANIA BUILDING UP A TRADE. Tasmania, has got a good footing with her apples in the (South American market, despite the disadvantages under which her shippers suffer as compared with New Zealand. Despite the fact of the apple crops having been on the light side, 115,763 cases have been exported to South America, principally Buenos Aires. The apples are carried as ordinary cargo by the Shaw, Savil', and the New Zealand Shipping Companies’ steamers. It is not always possible to secure the space required, and the fruit has to bo transhipped at Wellington. That intended for Buenos Aires — which is the best market in the South America—lias (o be transhipped again at Montevideo. In order to overcome these difficulties, it has been suggested that cargo boats should bo put on which would carry fruit direct to Montevideo, Buenos Aires, and Rio do Janeiro, if necessary, thus providing the extra space, and avoiding the necessity for transhipment.' It is not unlikely that in the near future the shipping companies will undertake an experiment in this direction, in which case there should be ample space available for all requirements. Victoria is anxious to participate in the trade, and something may come from the suggestion to put on cargo steamers. How the Tasmanian trade has developed is shown by the fact that while in 1912 only 69,572 cases of fruit were exported to South America, this season, which lias not yet closed, has seen 115,763 cases exported. How poor the fruit season in Tasmania was this season is shown by the exports up to the end of Juno having fallen off from 807,510 cases in 1912 to 598.232 cases. The exports were distributed as follows: Cases. United Kingdom 465,193} New South Wales 373,904 South America 115.763} Germany 17.275' Queensland 3,864 New Zealand 054} Victoria 544 Total . . 977.598} Steps are now being taken (says the Press) by Mr W. J. Courtier, the Government orchardist, for the planting of test acres in Canterbury, the idea being to demonstrate the most suitable varieties of fruit for each district. At the same time as tlie planting Mr Courtier will give demonstrations of general orchard work. Quite a number of people are taking up strawberry-growing at Motu. If sufficient care is taken with the growing of strawberries (says a correspondent of the Gisborne Times) there should be a fair-sized business. The fame of the Motu strawberries has evidently travelled far. as an order for a good many thousand plants was received from Otago, and a small order from Hawke’s Bay came in. An Opotiki farmer has also forwarded an order for 6000 plants. One of the advantages of the fruit-grow-ing industry was pointed out bv Mr J. G. Wi! son to the Farmers’ Union Conference. Fruit-growing, he said, was an occupation that women, if they were inclined, might become very successful at. and it might bo combined with poultry-farming with advantage.