Pinus Insignis for Fruit Cases.

Progress, Volume XIV, Issue 4, 1 December 1918, Page 384

Pinus Insignis for Fruit Cases.

A practical demonstration of the value of plantations of insignis pine (P. insignis or radiata) in relation to the fruitgrowing industry is now. in progress near Hastings,, Hawke’s Bay. The plantation in question was made between thirty or forty years ago by the late Mr. Thomas Tanner, an old settler in the district. It was recently purchased by Messrs. Apsey, White, and Co., Ltd., of Hastings, in connection with their fruit-handling and coldstorage business. The price of white-pine fruit-cases

supplied by the ordinary timber-mills has been steadily advancing during the last few years, and now ranges about Is. Id. for the bushel size, or approximately 100 per cent, higher than in 1913. In order to test the position with a view to reducing costs, the firm named decided to undertake the local -venture of milling and case-making on its own account. The plantation extended more or less irregularly over some 6 acres, and comprised about 800 millable trees. Although the plantation had not been raised specially for timber purposes, the trees as a whole were well grown, many measuring 100 ft. to 150 ft. in height and 3 ft. to 3 ft. 6 in. in diameter.

The trees are estimated to yield an average of 1,250 superficial feet of sawn timber, and the whole plantation 1,000,000 ft., this providing— at 5 ft. 6 in, to the bushel case, and allowing for a certain proportion of the smaller —approximately 200,000 eases. The milling plant-installed consists of a 54 in. breaking-down saw, a 36 in. second saw for boards, and a 24 in. crosscut saw, together with an emery sharpening-wheel, the whole being driven by a 9 horse-power portable engine. With the exception of the iron roofing the mill was constructed entirely of timber cut out of the plantation itself, and the engine is fired exclusively on waste wood, cones, &c; The fitting-up of the plant was carried out by the working mill-manager, Mr. W. Tracey. Operations have proceeded smoothly, and over 40,000 cases have

been turned out since Easter. The enterprise being undertaken primarily for the firm’s own business and connection, most of the cases are made up on the spot, from whence they are taken by fruitgrowers as required. Detailed costing accounts are not ■ available at present, but it is understood that the cost of the bushel case in the shook works out near 10d., to which is added another penny when the case is put together. The suitability of insignis-pine timber for fruitcases is fully confirmed by this experience. It has sufficient strength, holds nails well, and presents a nice clean appearance in the finished article. There

is found to be remarkably little waste in the milling, down to very small stuff being utilized for the lesser sizes of cases. It may be added that Messrs. Apsey, White, and Co. have recently experimented with silver-poplar for fruit-cases, and find it not nearly so good as insignis pine in cool store. It mildews very much, and the nails, even if they become rusty, pull out of it badly.

It is said that a builder who started life a poor man 20 years ago has retired with a comfortable fortune of £50,000. This money was acquired through industry, economy, conscientious effort to give full value, indomitable perseverence, and the death of an uncle who left him £49,999 0 0,.