EXPORT OF APPLES, 1924 SEASON.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXVII, Issue 6, 20 December 1923, Page 416

EXPORT OF APPLES, 1924 SEASON.

CONDITIONS OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE.

Conditions for the Government guarantee of id. per pound net return on shipments of apples made from New Zealand during the 1924 export season are as follows

i. The guarantee shall be limited to approved varieties and classes of fruit packed in compliance with the requirements of the “ Extra Fancy ” or “ Fancy ” grades, and shall be restricted to a maximum of 250,000 cases.

’ 2. The ■ Government’s liability under the guarantee shall include all packing and marketing expenses which the Department of Agriculture may deem reasonable and necessary, plus 3s. 4d. per case. No allowance to be made for cool storage unless an approved system of precooling is adopted, in which event such allowance shall not exceed 5d. per case; and, further, the insurance allowance shall not exceed that required to provide an ordinary marine-risk cover. In case of shipments to the United Kingdom no charge for selling-commission exceeding 5 per cent, will be allowed, nor will a total exceeding is. per case be allowed for the following overseas chargesnamely, supervision, port rates, dock charges, warehousing, cartage, tolls, porterage, forwarding, and surcharges. .

3. The guarantee to be limited to fruit grown and shipped (otherwise than under a f.o.b. contract) by bona fide fruitgrowers or fruitgrowers’ co-operative societies, through channels recommended to the Minister of Agriculture by the Fruit Export Advisory Committee, and approved by him.

4.' Any grower who exports any portion of his “ Extra Fancy ” or “ Fancy ” grade fruit crop outside the guarantee shall be deemed to have forfeited his right to participate in the guarantee with respect to all fruit exported during the season by him or on his behalf.

5. All fruit to qualify for the guarantee must be passed by an Inspector of the Department, and must be packed in accordance with the Export Regulations, subject to the modifications and directions set out in the appended statement entitled “Export Regulations.”

6. Payment of claims under the guarantee shall be calculated on the basis of the average price received by the claimant for the whole of the “ Extra Fancy ” and “Fancy” grade fruit exported (otherwise than under a f.o.b. contract) on his account during the season, irrespective of markets.

7. The Government reserves to itself the right (a) to limit the quantity of fruit shipped to any particular port should freight rates or market conditions, &c., be deemed unsatisfactory ; (6) to insist on all fruit being precooled prior to shipment, if deemed necessary ; (c) to .withhold the privileges of the guarantee from all fruit shipped in vessels the storage facilities • of which are held by the Department to be unsatisfactory ; (<£) to withhold the privileges of the guarantee with respect to - any market in connection with which the Advisory Committee are of the opinion a satisfactory f.o.b. or c.i.f. trade is or can be established. ,

EXPORT REGULATIONS.

With respect to the Export Regulations, the following modifications will be allowed as regards apples for the 1924 season :— .

CLASSES

The existing partial red and striped class to be separated, and distinct striped class instituted. The colour requirements of the striped class“to be 33J per cent, and 20 per cent, respectively of good typical colour for “ Extra Fancy ” and “ Fancy ” grades.

COLOUR STANDARDS.

Notwithstanding the provisions of the regulations, which will not be altered in this respect until, further experience has been gained, apples carrying 10 per cent, less colour with respect to “ Extra Fancy ” and 5 per cent, less' colour with

respect to “ Fancy ” than is required by the regulations will be accepted during the 1924 season for export to Europe. The above reduction in colour will apply to all the classes, including the “ striped ” class above referred to.

GRADES OF FRUIT.

In addition to the grades “ Extra Fancy ” and “ Fancy,” apples conforming to the undermentioned Good grade will be approved for. export for the 1924 season :—

“ Good ” grade : Apples of this grade shall be of not less size than 2| in. (200 apples per case), excepting such special dessert varieties as may be approved by the Director of the Horticulture Division, in which case the minimum size shall not be less than 2 J in. (225 per case). They shall be mature, sound, smooth, clean, well formed, hand-picked, true to name, and free from disease, visible bitter-pit, skin-puncture, or broken , skin at stem, and other defects. Slightly blemished apples may be included in this grade, provided that no individual apple shall have more than 5 per cent, of its surface affected thereby. Apples affected by unnatural russet may also be included in this grade, provided that no individual apple shall have more than 15 per cent, of its surface affected thereby. The individual apples of solid red,” partial red,” and T striped ” varieties shall carry not less than 30 per cent., 15 per cent., and 10 per cent, respectively of good typical colour. The individual apples of yellow or green varieties shall be of good characteristic colour.

Twenty cases of any one grade shall be the minimum consignment accepted for export.

MINIMUM AND MAXIMUM SIZES OF APPLES FOR EXPORT.

The minimum and maximum sizes of apples of “ Extra Fancy ” and " Fancy ” grades approved for export shall be those set out against each variety respectively in the list of varieties approved for export.

SPECIFICATIONS OF EXPORT APPLE-CASE

The timber recommended for the construction of an export fruit-case is white-pine of good quality, but Pinus insignis, rimu, and beech timber, if well and evenly cut, will be accepted. Owing to the unsatisfactory nature of cases constructed of poplar timber, cases of this class will not be approved for export,

The inside measurements of the export bushel case shall be 10 in. , by njin. by 19I in.

Sizes of timber : The ends shall be made of boards of the • following size—loin, by njin. by fin. ; one-piece board at each end ; both end boards to be planed on the outer side. The sides shall be made of boards of the following size—-10 in. by 2if in. by in. ; one or two boards optional for each side, provided that no side board shall be less than 4-J in. in width. The tops and bottoms shall be made of boards of the following size11 in. by 21J in. by in. ; one or two boards optional, provided that no board used for the purpose is less than 5. in. in width. Provided that tops and bottoms may. be made of boards of the following size11 in. by 21J in. by in., to be used with the addition of four cleats per case, measuring 11 in. by 1 in. by in.

In the event of two-piece sides being used in the construction of the case .above referred to the space between the boards shall not exceed J in. In the event of two-piece tops and bottoms being used the space between such boards shall not exceed | in.

Nailing: Nails used to be not less than ijin. long, 14 gauge. Nails to be spaced not more than 3 in. apart, and the outer nails of each board to be not more than 1 in. from the edge of board.

Strapping : All cases to be strapped with a wire or steel band, such strapping to be tightly applied and to be not more than i|in. from end of case.

MARKING OF CASES

A fruit-export label of new design has been approved, and its use will be essential in connection with all “ Extra Fancy ” and “ Fancy ” grade apples exported during the coming season.

A label of the design approved must be placed on each end of every case. Words and figures indicating the following only will be permissible on the label: (i) “New Zealand Apples”—“New Zealand” to be composed of letters of 11 in. and “Apples” of letters fin. in height; (2) grower’s registered number—to be of if in. type ; (3) broker’s registered number or shipping mark —• to be of figures not less than 2-J in. and not more than 3 in. in height; (4) name of province if desired — this must be placed immediately below the broker’s number, and must be composed of letters not exceeding f- in. in height ; (5) name of variety of apple, grade, and number of apples in the caseall of which must be of | in. type. The grade will be printed on each label. The name of the variety must be placed immediately above, and the indicating the apples in the —on the right of and in line with the grade-name.

A label of similar design, but produced in one colour only, must likewise be used in connection with all “ Good ” grade apples shipped. With the exception of the grade-name the marking of this label must in every way comply with the requirements as set out above with respect to the “ Fancy ” grade label.

Although a very great improvement in the branding and marking of cases was effected in 1923 over previous seasons, there is still room for further improvement in . this direction. The aim should be toward uniformity in the various rubber stamps required, and colour and quality of ink used in connection with the marking of labels. In the latter connection the manager of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation has undertaken to secure and make available to shippers a good-quality ink approved for the purpose.

REGISTERED EXPORT NUMBER.

The registered number issued to all growers under the Local Market Regulations will be declared to be the grower’s registered export number also. The registered number of each grower must be branded on each case of fruit exported by him.

In respect to fruit packed by a packing organization to which a registered number has been allotted, such consignments may be marked with the registered number of the packing association only, provided that each grower’s fruit is shown separately on the advice-note for examination, and stacked in separate lots, so that the Inspector may have no difficulty in determining which is the particular lot under examination. For example, a line of 100 cases of Cox’s Orange coming from two different growers would be submitted as follows :—

These would be stacked separately in two lots, and examined as different lines.

Should unavoidable circumstances prevent the adoption of this • procedure, resulting in a line comprising a larger number of cases being submitted as one line, it must be definitely understood that the examination of same will be solely at the grower’s risk, and in the event, of any fruit forming a portion of the line being found to be unsatisfactory the whole line will be liable to rejection.

PACKING.

Wrapping-paper : Apples of the various sizes as set out below shall be wrapped in paper of the size indicated opposite each respectively : — Sizes 64’s to 8o’s (both inclusive), paper 11 in. by 11 in. Sizes 88’s to no’s (both inclusive), paper 10 in. by 10 in. Sizes 120’s to 200’s (both inclusive), paper 9 in. by 9 in. Sizes 210’s to 240’s (both inclusive), paper 8 in. by 8 in.

In the event of the size of the paper used being smaller than that specified above for any respective size of apples, such apples shall be double-wrapped by overlapping two papers.

VARIETIES

The following varieties of apples (which were accepted for export in the 1923 season), owing to their unsatisfactory carriage and out-turn, and the low prices realized in consequence of this or other unsuitable marketing characteristics, have been removed from the 1924 export list: Alfriston, Ballarat, Reinette du Canada, Washington.

The following have been removed mainly on account of there being an insufficient quantity offering to warrant retention : Sharp’s Late Red, Claygate Pearmain, Golden Russet, Scarlet Pearmain, Shepherd’s Perfection.

The varieties marked with an asterisk in the following lists, although retained, are considered to be of little value for export purposes, and growers are advised to consider the reworking of these varieties, as well as those above mentioned, with a more suitable export variety, such as Delicious. In the case of London Pippin the fruit must be specially good of the variety.

SPECIAL CONDITIONS APPLYING TO EXPORT TO SOUTH AMERICA.

The modifications regarding colour standards allowed for European markets will not apply to apples for the South American market. Grades : No fruit below the standard of “ Fancy ” grade as defined in the Export Regulations to be exported to South America. Cases : Specifications of standard export case to be strictly observed. • Packing: Corrugated strawboard to be used on top and bottom of cases; wood-wool not to be used. The use of printed wrapping-paper is strongly recommended. All large fruit to be double-wrapped unless paper of sufficient size is used.

Shippingmark. . Registered Export Brand. Total ' ■ Number of Cases. Variety. ; Grade. Number of Cases. Pack 345 P607 60 Cox's Orange Fancy . . 14 163 , > 14 14 175 175 ,1 • • 8 188 12 ■ 210 ,, >> 12 225 345 P607 40 Cox’s Orange Fancy . . 8 163 5 175 »» -5 r 75 ,, • • ,, • • ,, ■ 7 7 188 188 ■ >> 9 210 >1 9 ■ 210 >> >> 1 1 225

Max. Size. Min. Variety. Size Min. Max. Size Size. Max. Size. Variety. Min. Variety. Min. Size. Variety. ' '' Solid Red Varieties. 96 Baldwin* 225 1 . IO Rokewood 225 96 .Hoover* 225 9 6 Tasma 225 Partial Red Varieties. no Crofton 225 IO Scarlet Nonpareil 240 96 Delicious . . 225 no Shorland Queen . . 225 I IO Dougherty . . 240 96 Spitzenberg . . ' 225 IO John Sharp . . 225 110 Stark . . ... 225 no Jonathan . . 240 110 Wagner . . 225 IO King David 240 no Worcester Pearmain . . • 225 96 Rome Beauty 225 I IO Yates ' ’ 240 Striped Varieties. no Adams Pearmain 225 120 Ribston Pippin 225 IO Allington Pippin* 225 IO Senator 225 120 Cox's Orange 240 no Statesman 225 96 Premier . . .. 225 no Stayman . . . . 225 Yellow or Green Varieties. 96 Boston Russet 225 10 Gravenstein . .' 225 I IO Brownlee’s Russet 225 96 London Pippin 200 no Cleopatra. . . 225 96 McMahon’s White 225 96 Dunn’s . . 210 no Newtown Pippin 240 no Golden Pippin .. . 225 96Parlin’s Beauty* 225 no Grannie Smith 225 I IO Sturmer ' . . 240 IO Willie Sharp 225

APPROVED FOR EXPORT TO EUROPE.

Max. 1 Size. 1 Variety. Min. Size. Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. . • Solid Red Varieties. 8o Baldwin . . .. 140 1 96 Rokewood 140 So Hoover . . 140 80 Tasma 140 Partial Red Varieties. 96 Crofton ... 140 80 Salome .. . . 140 80 . Delicious . . 140 80 Scarlet Pearmain 140 . 96 Dougherty . . 140 96 Shorland Queen 140 96 Jonathan .. 140 80 Spitzenberg . . 140 96 John Sharp 140 96 Stark 140 96 King David 140 . 80 Wagner . . . . 140 80 Rome Beauty 140 96 Yates 140 Striped Varieties. 96 Adams Pearmain 140 | 96 Statesman .. 140 80 Premier . . 140 . 80 Stayman 140 80 Senator ... . . 140 1 Yellow or Green Varieties. 96 Cleopatra . . 140 1 80 Newtown Pippin 140 80 Dunn’s 140 80 Parlin’s Beauty* 140 80 McMahon’s White 140 I . 96 Sturmer 140

APPROVED FOR EXPORT TO SOUTH AMERICA.