THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Taranaki Daily News, Volume L, Issue 59, 15 May 1907, Page 2

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Per Press Association. Wellington, May 14. Mr. Boucher, Government Pom'ologist for the North Island, who went to California to investigate the fruit industry, in his report dealing with the subject of fruit drying in California, says he does rot consider the climatic conditions of any part of Now Zealand will admit of the production first-class sundried fruit on extensive commercial lines. In the production and marketing of fruit dried by artificial heat, it will'lie well to consider the competition thai has to be faced. In California there are many districts where for many consecutive months, there is no rainfall, and but little moisture in the atmosphere day or night. Such n climate is ideal for producing high-grade sun dried fruit, and in districts where dilferent fruits are largely grown for the purpose, it is no uncommon thing to see ten acres in one block covered with trays of fruit in different stages of drying. The whole process is so simple and inexpensive as almost to defy competition, except from countries with similar climatic conditions. Speaking of the free exhibit of the Los Angelos Chamber of Commerce, which consists of specimens of agricultural and horticultural products, some manufactured articles and some other exhibits as will indicate the general resources of the State, he suggests a permanent exhbit of a similar kind by New Zealand in Loudon.