CITRUS FRUIT PLANTS.

Taranaki Central Press, Volume IV, Issue 338, 20 January 1937, Page 3

CITRUS FRUIT PLANTS.

NEW FACTORY. I _ L • - Permanently Establishing Industry at Keri Keri Recognition of the permanent • establishment of the citrus fruit in- j dust.ry in Kerikeri is provided in the ' substantial curing factory which is : being erected on a site next to. the i passion fruit factory on Wellington : Road. The- finance has been arranged through the Government, and it is expected that another three months will see the factory in operation. With its working, a better ( standard of product is expected, while marketing on co-operative lines should entail a better return to the grower. The exterior is to be of wood, but some sections will be of concrete-. The building will cover an area 125 ; feet by 75 feet, and will incorporate : 1 all tha modern requirements regarding sanitation and hygiene. The ] narrow frontage will present a pleas- t ing exterior, with a double gable roof. Th,e front portion of the building is occupied by an office, and a por- ' tion of the sweat room. The latter 1 is an essential in the proper curing of fruit. Fruit will be received at double doors at the south and north 1 sides, where it will be properly 1 graded and sorted prior to its reception in the curing room at the extreme rear of the building. This central workshop is fitted with modern machinery and many labour- ( saving devices will ensure that oven*- ? head costs will be kept, at a mini- ( mum. Besides the grading and sort- , ing of fruit, in this workshop machinery is to be installed for wash- . c ing and testing, and only the best ( fruit will be received into the curing room, which is equipped with all ; the necessary devices for proper t humidity control and the regulation ( of temperature. <