" EVAPORATING."

Temuka Leader, Issue 1665, 26 November 1887, Page 3

" EVAPORATING."

A correspondent writes as follows: "Evaporating" as an industry is uni known in New Zealand, but it cannot be very long before this process becomes familiar to every one. This process bas been practised in America for several years, and is now well nigh universal in the fruit-growing States. No orchard of any size could be profitably worked without an evaporating machine. The old plan of sundrying is too blow and costly, even in those countries where the climate is suitable, but of course in this country, and in all the more northern States of America, sun-drying is impossible. The evaporator does in two or three hours what the sun would only do in as many weeks, and the quickness of the artificial method contributes largely to the brightness and appearance of the fruit and vegetables operated upon. Apples, peaches, plums, and cherries are the fruits most likely to be successfully evaporated in this island. Apples especially are almost, or quite, unsaleable at one time of the year. The writer has for several years past been unable to sell his windfalls at any price. Had an evaporator been at hand they could have been utilised, and put into a form that is imperishable, Mid readily saleable three months later in the season at from 6d to Is per lbj and this at small cost for fuel and labor. The machine that is used for coring, paring, and slicing apples is very ingenious, and rapid in its operations. It works automatically, and pares, cores, aud cuts up at the rate of 25 apples per minute. It can be worked either by power or hand. In America peaches pay better to evaporate than and other kind of fruit. The prices range from 25 to 30 cent* (Is to Is 3d) per lb. Cherries also and strawberries pay remarkably well. Evaporating is considered te be about twice as profitable as canning, and is undoubtedly more wholesome. 'I he right tfme to evaporate any product is when it is at its lowest commercial value, and almost or quite unsaleable. The evaporator can be kept going day and night with great success and profit.