FRUIT-EXPORT.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume VI, Issue 4, 15 April 1913, Page 386

FRUIT-EXPORT.

J. H. Thorp.

The first shipment of fruit for export to South America this season was despatched by the s.s. Alexander from Motueka, on the 4th March, to Wellington, where it was transhipped to the s.s “ Remuera ”, for its destination. >: • - ... • •• - . •

The quantity forwarded was 3,370 dump cases, up as follows : Monroe’s Favourite 1,156, Jonathan 1,045, Cox’s Orange Pippin 266, Mew York Pippin (Cleopatra) 250, Hoover 234, Reinette du Canada . 109, Spitzenburg 87, Adams’ Pearmain 38, Worcester Pearmain ’ 63, Blenheim ’ Orange 47, Ribstone Pippin 21, Cellini 16, Allington Pippin 12, Alexander 5, (unnamed) 6, Winesap 3. . Some of the J onathans, although apparently mature, were of rather poor colour, and the same may be said of some cases of Monroe’s Favourite. In picking it would be

well if growers would take a little more care to select only those apples that show most colour, leaving the others to fill. out and colour up for later shipments. Hoovers, although of good colour and apparently mature at the time, are really a late apple, and are better left on the

trees till later in the season. The New York Pippins (Cleopatras) were a nice line. "Although apparently an early shipment of this variety, it is one that will stand shipping on the green side. All . the other varieties were in good condition for shipment. The fruit on the whole was well graded. Part of the shipment was branded “large” and “medium,” while the balance was marked in sizes, uniformity in this respect being desirable. The fruit was shipped by Messrs,. E. Buxton and Co., of Nelson, and the bulk of it was packed by their expert Tasmanian packers, of whom they now .have four in their employ. The balance was packed by the Moutere Asso-

ciation’s packers. Excepting a case or two a little on the loose side, the packing was excellent. This season the principle has been initiated of packing all the fruit at a central packing-shed, a store at the ■ wharf being used for this purpose. The fruit is carted in loose and graded and packed there, saving a great loss of time in going from orchard to orchard, and also enabling the work of inspection to be carried out

more thoroughly. The cases supplied, by growers for the . export trade leave a great deal to be desired,' some of them being old and stained, besides being badly made, with the boards overlapping the ends and with only two nails in each end instead of three; thus incurring great risk of ullage. In only one instance was there -any attempt made to trim the cases,

and where this was done the better appearance of the cases was very marked and was commented upon. A departure has been made this season in the method of marking the cases, the stencilling being replaced by a neatly designed label,-,for which the- .shippers are to -be highly commended. I would much like to' see the words New Zealand Apples ” appearing on the label. ; . As there are several more shipments to go forward this season, I trust growers will supply their best fruit as well as giving attention to the smaller details. We are now embarking on the export trade against more experienced competitors, and it behoves all interested in . the industry to do their best to put that trade .in a similar position to that occupied by our dairy-produce and meat trades. It is only by giving attention to the matters I have endeavoured to bring before growers in this article that this cam be accomplished.