RIPE FRUIT.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 455, 13 March 1909, Page 10

RIPE FRUIT.

Sir, —Coming from Hastings, whero ripo fruit abounds, I inquired for somo in Wellington 'shops, and found nothing eatable. At last I inquired of a fruiterer, who was not a Chinaman, "Have you nny ripo peaches ' or nectarines P" The answer was "No." I then said: "Will you buy anyf" The reply was: "1 have plenty, but tlicy arc not ripe," I asked again: " Will you buy hbsolutely ripe peaches and nectarines f" Tho reply waa again, flatly, "No." Thoro is any amount of peaches which look ripe, but are not, and never ti'l ho. ' 'l'hcy aro bought green at, say. Id. to 2d. per lb., kept for wqelts, and eventually develop colour and sweetness, but no perfume or juice. They aro then ticketed Bd. Of courso nobody buys a second pound, and sales ' aro "slow." As to ripo peaches, the price I am paying in Hastings is 3d, per lb., and 1 grant you it wants n httlo euro to handle them, mid not buy mora than you want. Hut 1 would rather give Is. Gd. for them, with their . bloom and succulence and scent, than Sd. for tho turnips sold'in Wellington, At the price mentioned, yd., tho poaches aro wrapped 1 separately in paper, packed six trays in a crate, and tho railage is only' Cd. for a el-ato containing not 241b. 1 think :i live fruiterer would live in your town.—l am, etc., WAIIUMA. March' 4.