lo Mar., 1911-] 4 Record Shipment of Pears. 



19E 



The Venture a Restjlt ok Previous Experiments. 



The present attempt has resulted from the efforts of, and the experi- 

 ence gained by, a few pioneers who have forwarded small lots to Europe 

 and America during the past se\en or eight years. In some instances the 

 fruit has been landed in bad condition ; but in others it opened up so 

 well that, despite the assertion that this pear would never carry long dis- 

 tances, many growers have come to the conclusion that, with a little extra 

 care, sound fruit can be landed in the United Kingdom and Europe. 



Experiments have shown that Williams' Bon Chretien pears, if cool- 

 stored immediately after packing and kept at low temperatures, will re- 

 main in practically the same condition for weeks at a stretch. Ship- 

 ments sent to London and New York from South Australia and Victoria,, 

 during the last two years, under such conditions realised a profit of 4s. 6d. 

 and I2S. per case respectively. 



These successes prompted Victorian growers to take energetic action. 

 A conference of growers held at Ardmona last September decided that a 



PEARS packed for EXPORT.- 1. SINGLE TRAY. 2. THREE TRAVS CLEATED. 

 (Fnr illustrative puri)o.ses tlii' wood-wool packing lias been left untrimiued.) 



shipment of Hon Chretien pears Ije sent during the present export season. 

 In the interxening three months, the Central Association completed the 

 arrangements and the Federal-Houlder-Shire s.s. Somerset was selected 

 as the vessel to carry the shipment. I'Vee storage was agreed to by the 

 Minister of Agriculture, and a small charge (lAd. per case) was made to 

 cover cost of handling. 



The shi])ment was timed to sail on 13th l'"cbruarv. and space was 

 .secured for 11,000 cases. AIkhii the licginniiig of Februarv the 

 first consignments were forwarded Iroin ilu- orchards to tlie Government 

 Cool Stores. .\ proportion of the.se (about two-thirds of the total) was 

 wrapped and pa( kid for export in the orchard. Upon receipt the fruit 

 was immi ili.it( 1\ pi, iced in the c(K)1 chamber and reduced in temperature- 

 to about 3 J or 33 degrees. The remaining one-third was forwardeii un- 

 packed ami made up for export at the Go\ernment Cool Stores. 



