SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE FRUIT GLUT.

Motueka Star, Volume II, Issue 57, 28 February 1902, Page 4

SUGGESTED REMEDY FOR THE FRUIT GLUT.

-dNow that fruitgrowers are complaining of such low prices being given for tbetr erops= owing-to the glutted = conditionof market (writes Mr Fredk. E. t Corn, beemaster), goes to prove the great advantage of being able to dry or presex ve fruits at a small cost, and so putkthem on the market in a form which will not only .well, repay the cost of the necessary appliances and trouble in dbing-so but solve the present difficulty, and enable the grower to place’ his fruit upon the market at the paost suitable and advantageous times, thus securing better prices. American fruitgrowers, like ourselves, have suffered from the evil of glutted markets, and have,- with characteristic energy, applied themselves to find a way out of the difficulty by utilising their' surplus fruit in such a way as to. turn every pound of it to profitable use and, of monetary value, with the result that fruitdrying has been an industry in that country for more * than twenty years. In fact, fruit and vegetable drying is in use in practically all parts of the world, especially in America, Canada, Australia, India, etc. Why should not New Zeala-nd come to the front and compete in this important industry also ? The outlet for dried products is simply enormous. Many kinds of dried fruits are sold in nearly every town by nearly every respectable groc-er, while the outlet for dried vegetables to restaurants,’sailing and some steamships, and for the army, is much beyond what is popularly supposed, and is greatly on the increase. England imports tons of dried produce yearly. Machines, most simple, indeed to,master, whereby fruit, etc., can be cheaply evaporate*, in such a way that it will keep in good and saleable condition for several years, are to. be obtained for a few pounds and upwards, according to the size of the machine required, which, of course, depends upon the amount,of fruit to be dealt with.