LEMON MARKET CONTROL

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 19918, 21 April 1939, Page 6

LEMON MARKET CONTROL

.» STARTS ON MAY 1 GISBORNE ARRANGEMENTS CURING PLANT IN TOWN Arrangements have 'been made with Gisborne citrus growers for the State control of the district's lemon crop from May 1 and for the delivery of the crop to a central curing shed to ibe erected in town.

Government control of the lemon crop of the districf has obviated the necessity of the growers making their own arrangements to erect a central packing and curing shed, a scheme which had 'been under consideration for some time. Packing sheds in other districts, Kerikeri, Auckland and Tauranga, will be taken Over by the Internal Marketing Department.

All lemons produced will be required to pass through the Government sheds after May 1. and suppliers will be paid monthly for their fruit at an average, rate of (Is Gd a aushel, according to grade. The cost to the public will be Is a dozen.

In the matter of supply to retail shops, an interesting point was discussed by growers when fihey met a representative of the department in Gisbornc during the week. Some oi the growers have their own shops. and it was made clear to them that they would not 'be able to supply ■their shops direct from their own citrus groves, but all lemons must go through the curing and packing shed. Process of Curing A standardised process will be adopted in the sheds, aiming at turninE; out a product of uniformly high quality. The lemons received from the growers will be sorted into three grades and packed into a measuring case which will contain threequarters of a bushel of fruit, allowing for the shrinkage involved in curing. The fruit will then be uniformly coloured, and will next pass through a machine which sterilises and washes the skins.

The drying and curing process will follow and, after sorting, the fruit will be packed in readiness for marketing. The replacing of the old bushel case with one three-quarters the size has been introduced to facilitate a quicker turnover, particularly by the small retailer.