EXPORT OF FRUIT, 1926 SEASON.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XXXII, Issue 1, 20 January 1926, Page 60

EXPORT OF FRUIT, 1926 SEASON.

i. CONDITIONS OF GOVERNMENT GUARANTEE.

Conditions for the Government guarantee on shipments of apples and pears made from New Zealand during the 1926 export season are as follows : — 1. The guarantee shall be limited to approved varieties and classes of fruit packed in compliance with the requirements of the “ Extra Fancy,” “ Fancy,” and “ Good ” grades, and shall be restricted to a maximum of 350,000 cases of apples and 8,500 cases of pears. 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. qd. per case with respect to “Extra Fancy ” ■ and “ Fancy ” grade apples, and is. 6d. per case with respect to “ Good ” grade; and id. per pound with respect to pears. 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 charges— namely, 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 the New Zealand Fruit-export Control Board or other channels approved by the Minister of Agriculture. 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,” “ Fancy,” and “ Good ” grade fruit exported (otherwise than under a f.o.b. contract) on his account during the season, irrespective of markets.

7. Where, however, fruit of more than one variety and supplied by more than one grower is exported by a joint packing company or group in its own name the guarantee shall be calculated separately in respect of the whole of the fruit supplied for export by each grower, on the basis of the pool price received for each variety supplied by him with respect to each shipment; provided that the joint packing company or group shall have, not later than seven days after the fruit has been shipped from New Zealand, notified to the Director of the Horticulture Division full particulars of each grower’s fruit included in each shipment.

8. The Government reserves to itself the right (a) to withhold the guarantee with respect to any variety of “ Good ” grade apples in the event of the .Director of the Horticulture Division being satisfied that the grower of such apples is not shipping a reasonable proportion of “ Extra Fancy ” or “ Fancy ” grade fruits of that variety ; (b) to limit the quantity of fruit shipped to any particular port should freight rates or market conditions, &c., be deemed unsatisfactory ; (c) to insist on all fruit being precooled prior to shipment, if deemed necessary ; (d) 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 ; (e) to withhold the privileges of the guarantee with respect to any market in connection with which the New Zealand Fruit-export Control Board are of the opinion a satisfactory f.o.b. or c.i.f. trade is or can be established.

9. The Government reserves the right to re-examine and to withdraw any fruit from export in the event of such re-examination indicating that by reason of overmaturity or other cause inimical to the keeping-qualities of the fruit it would be inadvisable to allow such fruit to be exported. All fruit so withdrawn may be disposed of in New Zealand by the owner without reference to the guarantee, or by the Government on behalf of the owner. In the latter event the proceeds will be credited to the owner, and the transaction dealt with generally as though the fruit had been actually exported under the guarantee. But should such reexamination reveal the fact that any line of fruit, through careless or faulty packing, is decidedly below the standard required it will be deemed not to be covered by the guarantee, and the owner of such fruit may, at the option of the Minister, be held to have forfeited all right to participate in the guarantee for the 1 emainder of the season.

2. EXPORT REGULATIONS.

The following regulations shall apply to all fruitapples and/or pears, as the case may beintended for export under the Government guarantee, 1926 : GRADES AND VARIETIES. “ EXTRA FANCY ” AND “ FANCY ” GRADES. The standards shall be as set out in the Export Regulations of 1920, the principal requirements of which are as follows :

Ten per cent, and 5 per cent, reduction in the above-mentioned colour requirements with respect to “ Extra Fancy ” and “ Fancy ” grades will be allowed in connection with fruit packed for European markets.

APPLES.

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 since been omitted from the export list: Alfriston, Ballarat, Reinette du Canada, Washington.

The following have been omitted 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. In the case of London Pippin the fruit must be hand graded and sized, and specially good of the variety.

SPECIAL CONDITION'S 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.

“ GOOD ” GRADE.

Fruit packed in accordance with the requirements of “ Good ” grade may be exported to European markets only. The standard of the grade shall be as provided by the 1925 export conditions, the principal of which are : —

The varieties for export under this grade shall be as set out in the European export list, excepting that the minimum size of any variety shall be not less than 210 apples per case, other than Cleopatra, Dougherty, Jonathan, King David, Sturmer, and Yates, the minimum size of which shall not be less than 225, and Cox’s Orange 240 per case.

PEARS. The following varieties are approved for export to Europe :

Other varieties, up to 500 cases, may be approved for export for experimental purposes.

All pears must be of “ Extra Fancy ” or “ Fancy ” grades, and be packed in trays constructed as hereinafter provided.

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.

LABELLING AND MARKING. A coloured label corresponding with that used in the 1925 season has been approved for use in connection with “ Extra Fancy ” and “ Fancy ” grade fruit. A non-coloured label of similar design has been approved in connection with “ Good ” grade fruit. All cases of fruit intended for export must bear a label on each end according to grade, as above indicated. The marking of cases shall be in accordance with the 1925 season’s requirements.' - LABELS FOR TRAYS. Special labels for use on apple and pear trays have been prepared, and will be procurable from the New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation. WRAPPING-PAPER. Apples of the various sires 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 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.

SPECIFICATIONS OF EXPORT 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 io in by nJ in by i 9 f in. ■ ' ■ *

Sizes of timber : The ends shall be made of boards of the following size—io in. by nJ in. by f in. ; 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—io in. by 2i| 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 size—nin. by 2i|in. by i?r 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 size—11 in. by 2i| in. by & in -. to be used with the addition of four cleats per case, measuring 11 in. by fin. 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 i| in. 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 1 in. from end of case.

CONSTRUCTION OF TRAYS.

Selected apples and pears. may be exported in wooden trays having an inside measurement of nJ in. by 19J in., with depth from 2J in. to 3 in. Each tray to be complete with lid and label. - Three trays to be securely wired together, forming one package. Binding- wires to be placed within 1 in. of each end of the package. In the construction of trays the following is recommended : Bottom of bottom tray and top of top tray to be of two pieces, each 5 J in. by in. Tops and bottoms in all other instances to be of two pieces, each 5 J in. by -jJ- in. Middle tray to have cleats across each end both top and bottom, thus requiring four cleats in. by ft in. by 11 in. Constructed in this way, bulge that takes place is inward, owing to the timber being lighter than the outer tops and bottoms. At the same time any such bulge is protected by the cleats, which also keep the trays apart, thus allowing for free ventilation.

CASES AND PACKING

Specifications of the standard export case shall be strictly observed. Corrugated strawboard or wood-wool shall be used on top and bottom of cases. All large fruit to be double-wrapped unless paper of sufficient size is used.

MINIMUM CONSIGNMENT.

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

Noxious Weeds. The clearing of noxious weeds on Crown lands was given a considerable amount of attention during the year 1924-25, the larger grant provided by the Lands Department having allowed of this. A grant was also provided by the Native Department for the purpose of dealing to some extent with the large areas of unindividualized Native lands, and this money is being expended as authorized to the best advantage. The work in both cases is carried out by the Department of Agriculture. ,

Grade. Colour. Defects. Solid Red. Partial Red. Striped. Yellow or Green. Per Cent. Per Cent. Per Cent. Extra Fancy 75 5° 334 Good characteristic colour No more than 8 per cent, of apples in case affected with slight blemish. Fancy 50 25 20 Good characteristic colour Apples not to be affected with more than 5 per cent, blemish or 5 per cent, unnatural russet.

Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. Solid Red Varieties. 96 Baldwin* 225 1 no Rokewood . . 240 96 Hoover* .. .. 225 I 95 Tasma. 225 Partial Rec I Varieties.' IO Crofton • • .. 225 no Scarlet Nonpareil 240 96 Delicious . . 225 no Shorland Queen 225 IO Dougherty . . 255 96 Spitzenberg . . 225 no John Sharp 225 no Stark 225 no Jonathan 240 no Wagner 225 no King David 240 no Worcester Pearmain . . 225 96 Rome Beauty 225 no Yates 255 Striped Varieties. no Adams Pearmain 225 120 Ribston Pippin . . 225 no Allington Pippin* 225 10 Senator 225 120 Cox's Orange 255 no Statesman ■.. 240 96 Premier 210 IO Stayman Winesap 210 Yellow or Green Varieties. 96 Boston Russet 225 96 London Pippin* 200 no Brownlee’s Russet 225 96 McMahon’s White 225 no Cleopatra . . . . 240 110 Newtown Pippin 24O 96 Dunn’s 210 96 Parlin’s Beauty* 225 no Golden Pippin 225 no Sturmer 24O no Grannie Smith 225 10 Willie Sharp 225 no Gravenstein 225

APPROVED FOR EXPORT TO EUROPE.

Max. Size. Variety. Min. i Size. | Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. Solid Red Varieties. 80 Baldwin .. .. 140 ;i I 96 Rokewood 140 80 Hoover .. 140 64 Tasma 140

Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. . Partial Red Varieties. 96 Crofton . . . . 140 80 Scarlet Nonpareil Shepherd’s Perfection 140 80 Delicious . . . . 140 80 140 80 Dougherty . . 4 140 96 Shorland Queen 140 96 Jonathan 140 80 Spitzenberg . . 140 96 John Sharp 140 96 Stark 140 96 King David . . 140 96 Wagner • . . ... 140 80 Rome Beauty 140 no Yates . . 140 80 Salome .. .. 140 Striped Varieties. 96 Adams Pearmain 140 • 96 Statesman . . 140 80 Premier 140 80 Stay man- Winesap » 140 80 Senator .. I4O Yellow or Green Varieties. 96 Cleopatra Dunn’s 140 1 .96 Sturmer :: .. .. 140 80 140 '

APPROVED FOR EXPORT TO SOUTH AMERICA.

Colour. Grade. Colour. Defects. Solid Red. Partial Red. Striped. Yellow or Green. Defects. Good Per Cent. . 30 Per Cent. 15 Per Cent. IO Good characteristic colour 5 per cent, blemish or 15 per cent, unnatural russet.

Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. Max. Size. Variety. Min. Size. In. In. In. In. Josephine de Malines 21 o — Winter Cole .. Z 4 2| Winter Cole .. 21 2f P. Barry 2 1 1 — Z 4 Winter Nelis. . Winter Nelis.. 2j 21 2-3 2 4 Packham’s Triumph .. Packham’s Triumph .. 21 2i

Shippingmark. Registered Export Brand. Total Number of Cases. Variety. Grade. Number of Cases. Pack. 345 P607 60 Cox's Orange Fancy . . 14 163 14 175 8 188 12 , 210 ,, >> 12 225 345 ' P607 40 Cox's Orange Fancy . . 8 163 5 175 »» * • ,, • * 7 7 188 188 99 • • 9 210 ,, • • 11 225