Fruit-Drying.

Pelorus Guardian and Miners' Advocate., Volume 18, Issue 41, 21 May 1907, Page 5

Fruit-Drying.

OUR CLIMATE NOT SUITABLE. Wellington, May 18. Mr Boucher, Government Pomologist for the North Island, who went to California to investigate the fruit industry, in his report dealing with the subject of iruit-drying in California, says he does not consider that the climatic conditions in any part of New Zealand will admit of the production of first-class sun-dried fruit on extensive commercial lines. In the production and marketing of fruit dried by artificial heat it would be well to consider the competition faced in California. There are many districts in California where for many consecutive months there is no rainfall, and but little moisture in the atmosphere day or night. Such a climate is the ideal for producing high-grade sun-dried fruit, and in districts where different fruits are largely grown for the purpose it is no uncommon thing to see ten acres in one block covered with trays of fruit in differ,nt stages of drying. The whole process is so simple and inexpensive as almost to defy competition, except from countries with similar climatic conditions. Speaking of the free exhibits of the Los Angelos Chamber of Commerce, which consist of specimens of agricultural and horticultural products, some manufactured articles, and such other exhibits as will" indicate the general resources of the State, he suggests a permanent exhibition of a similar kind by New Zealand in London;