N.Z. FRUIT EXPORTS

New Zealand Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 10603, 31 May 1920, Page 10

N.Z. FRUIT EXPORTS

AN INTERESTING REPORT

AXXIETY IvEGAIiDTXG XEXT YEAR’S SiLLTMKKTS.

The_ Director of Horticulture, Hr T. W. Kirk, at Thursday’s sitting of the Now Zealand .fruitgrowers’ Jfedoratiou’s Confer. - ®.e, submitted an interesting report dealing with the fruit export, H/iO shipments, and the condition of the fruit exported. The following return of export shipments for 1020 should prove of great interest to the fruitgrowers of the Dominion. The shipments were made up ns follows:—The s.s. Atheuic, whiqfi sailed in April, took _ 14,995 cases; Tort Napier, «vhieii also sailed in April, took 13,187 eases; and the Corituhic, just sailed, 0103—a. total of 3-1,585 cases. Uf this number, 18,641 cases (including 1376 half-casos) wore shipped from Motueka. The quality of the fruit passed was good as far as could be eoen. To say it was absolutely free from such diseases _as bitter pit _und water core would be an impossibility, an this was in evidence in some of the linos being | handled prior to grading and packing, but tbo fruit was carefully watched for these faults during grading and packing operations.

Colour. —The colour of .the fruit from Alapua was well up to standard. Much of the fruit as tar as this requirement uas concerned could have, passed as extra fancy, but no attempt was mudb to pack under this grade, hence the margin of colour in fancy grade was very wide, namely, 25 jicr cent, to 100 per cent, in many instances.

Condition.—None of tho fruit submitted coukl be classed as immature. In tho Athcnic the Jonathan and -Uunroots were in good condition, but tho Cox’s were inclined to In# approaching too near ripeness and kept on the trees too long. This variety must go earlier, and colour must he sacrificed for condition, and adjtfoments made in tho regulations accordingly. Two lines of these were turned down for the cracking round the stems, characteristic of tho variety under some conditions; another line for spot and blemish. Some Alunroo’s were also rejected for blemish in this boat. In the Port Napier the colour of tho Jonathan was higher than in 'tho Athouic; in some cases tho fruit was in clined to ripeness, opccially the larger size. All 'the other varieties werb in excellent condition

For the Corintfiic all Jonathans, with tho exception of 83 cases, wero turned down for over-ripeness. All other varieties were in good condition. The Statesmen variety might need a bit of adjustment ro colour requirements on tho same lines as for Cox’s. Blemishes. —All lines wore well within the regulations ns #garci blemish, in foot. I think I can safely state that with the exceptions mentioned, the full concessions in this respect, were not availed of. The shippers endeavoured to keep well within the margin. Sizing.—On the whole tho sizing was good. There were instances where a little more variation was indulged in than the regulations allow, but this was more due to endeavours to got good finishes in packing than other reasons.

Packing.—There - ‘were instances of loose cases that came under-, ray notice, and when loading these were put hack for adjustment where found, and also at time of inspection. There is a considerable weight of opinion in favour of abolishing the size mark on cases of export fruit in view of the total number of apples contained in tho cases being placed thereon. Thi a number itself is an indication of size. This concession would simplfy the marks and save considerable time. 1 would strongly recommend its adoption.

Tho engagements made with growers for space in tho Home boats ecem to require a little more definition. It would probably be best to get association secretaries to get their members to sign for space-.as soon as tlio fruit, sets —in November. I believe they would be ready to do this if at that time “Federation’' could tell thorn when and where the fruit was going and what financial arrangements had ■boon made. It is only in this way that many growers can arrange credits for their own packing arrangements. A statement should bo laid before growers' regarding next season’s export not later than September and growers should be able to sign definitely in November. - SUMMARY. General!.-,' speaking tlio fruit shipped \*as of good quality, the colour standard being good throughout; possibly too much variation for fancy grade owing to tho fact that extra fancy grade was not picked out, but included in the cases containing fancy grade. It was conspicuous that some of our best varieties for tho later boats were withheld from export,_ especially De-. cious and -Sturrne-r, while in the early boats every endeavour was made to get away as many inferior varieties, particularly Loudon Pippin and Reineste du Canada as possible. 'This to large extent must be attributed to the Government guarantee of Id per lb, as these varieties wore not likely to realise that price on the New Zealand markets, and if, is doubtful if such varieties will, clear expenses to tho Homo markets.

A quantity of the fruit submitted was on tho ripe side, and the condition on arrival at Homo will ho interesting.