IN THE VICINITY OF ALEXANDRA.

Alexandra Herald and Central Otago Gazette, Issue 1709, 23 October 1929, Page 3

IN THE VICINITY OF ALEXANDRA.

VISIT OF TASMANIAN FRUITGBOWEES.

Early last week the Eailway Department advised the Mayor and members of the Central .Otago Fruitgrowers' Association that a party of Tasmaniau fruitgrowers—a small section of the Tasmaniau Farmers' Excursion—-would visit Alexandra. When the train from Cromwell pulled into the station on Thursday morning of last week the Mayor (Mr W. Bringans)/ and, fully a dozen local fruitgrowers were there to meet it and to formally welcome the party of six Tasmaniau visitors who had left Queenstown that morning. The party was taken to the Criterion Club Hotel where the members were entertained to morning tea. The personnel of the party was: Messrs V. W. Shoobridge (leader), H. Hanson, Lazenby, P. J. O'Eouke, S. Pixley and Jakes. , WELCOME TO ALEXANDRA. Mr W. Bringans, on behalf of the citizens, extended a most cordial welcome to the party and hoped their stay in Alexandra would be a pleasant and profitable one and that the exchange of views would be beneficial to both visiting and local growers. Mr C. M'lutosh, in the absence of the President of the Fruitgrowers' Association, extended a welcome on behalf of the association.

Mr C. Weaver, representing the Vincent County Council, after extending a welcome, explained the conditions of the country over which they would be taken during the day, touching lightly in the past history pi the town and districts.

Mr V. -W. Shoobridge, in replying, thanked the speakers ibr .the welcome and stated that their stay so far in New Zealand had been most pleasant. They had arrived at Bluff on Sunday and had travelled ~over some wonderful country in Southland. ,Thc. short stay at Queenstown had been most refreshing. His party of six fruitgrowers had cut itself off from the main party solely with the view of visiting the orchards of Central Otago which, he had heard, were well worth a visit. '/We are here to suck your brains," said-Mr Shoo; , bridge, "and we want as much information as you can give us on orcharding, but principally apple-growing." ' The speaker then went on to nominate the different fruit grown in Tasmania. Before resuming his seat he again thanked the Alexandra folk for their welcome and paid a compliment to the management of the excursion—everything was going like clockwork and they already had had some very full days.' • ■'• VISIT TO MOUTEKE STATION.

Three carloads (cars provided by Messrs Briugans, Kinuaird and Hiuton) left Alexandra via the Manuherikia Valley road for Moutcre Station. On I the trip out the. different places of interest were pointed out. A stop was made on the main rodd opposite Galloway and here the Tasmauiaii friends | alighted to view the green fields of lucerne growing on the other side of the river. As Mr Shoobridge stepped from the ear he trod on a patch of scab weed. "What is that?" lie asked. When he was told that Galloway Fiat was nothing else a few years ago—liefore the introduction of irrigation—he marvelled and said that he was firmly convinced that when more irrigating schemes (they have a few small schemes in Tasmania) were introduced then there would be a brighter outlook, for. there is plenty of water in Tasmania. On arrival at Moutere the party was met and welcomed by Mr Jopp. The visitors were shown the different pehs of sheep which had been mustered. Re J gret was expressed by all that the main party, composed mostly of farmers, bad not come to see this wonderful sight. One would go all over New Zealand and not see as handsome a collection of ■sheep. In one pen were eight or nine rams, one a Tasmanian-bred animal worth many hundreds of pounds. The quality of wool on all of the sheep was the best and will, iii a few short months, find top prices at the Wool [sales. The wethers on exhibition were the cause of many complimentary remarks, in fact, the whole collection was admired. The details, given by Mr Jopp, were readily snapped up by the visitors who will carry them on to the sheep farmers in Tasmania. The pastures were then inspected and here again the value of irrigation was demonstrated. There was an abundance of the best of feed on paddocks that had been top-dressed and sown down a few years ago. Mr Jopp has 16 miles of water race to maintain and employs a man all the year round to do nothing else. A few big cattle were looked at from a distance then the party turned for home passing a young plantation (three-year-old pines") on the hillside behind the homestead. The garden, surrounding the squat-looking house, was much admired and the flowering apple tree made a georgeous sight with its pink blossom. There were also some very healthy raspberry canes close to the house. The party sat down to a sumptuous cold lunch provided by Mr Jopp,' at the conclusion of which thanks were returned by Messrs Shoobridge and W. Bringans. Three hearty cheers were I given Mr .Jopp before the,party moved off. THE ORCHARDS VISITED. . . The route to Earnseleugh lay through Springvale and Clyde. The large body of water which, the big race was carrying was the subject of great wonder /and whenever'the race was crossed/the jnatoe of the country wag iafctm note

of. The cars pulled up at the water I steps and the visitors were shown how water can be taken down a steep hill without causing erosiou at the . foot; "What a waste of-eleetrie power," observed one of the visitors. " Why don't they .harness that water and.generate electricity?" The visitor was told that the water was only turned into the race during the irrigating season. One Tusiuauian grower was deeply •interested in the growing of stone fruit and so he' was taken to Mr Annan's orchard, the remaining two cars goiug on to Mr J. B. Laing's orchard. Here, for the lirst time in their lives, some of the visitors saw frost fighting appartus in an orchard. Mr Laing showed the party round and explained many,of the .difficulties the local orchardist has to contend with. "We have overcome, by spraying with 61b of sulphate of iron and 2gal of lime sulphur in 40gal of water one of the troubles you have mentioned," said Mr Shoobridge. ( "We have been able to combat mildew on the leaves with this spray, but you have to be mighty careful how you use it. It should be done when the buds are just swelling or when you would give an'oil spray. Do one or two trees and try it in New Zealand!" After inspecting; the great display of blossom on Tasmania Pride apple trees and looking, at the shapely Delicious rows the party returned to the cars.,but were not allowed to move off until they had partaken of a nice cup of afternoon tea served by Mrs and Miss Laing and Mrs Searchtield. In returning thanks to the ladies Mr Pixley (the youngest member of the party) made a neat little speech. On tho way to Mr Hiritoii's orchard'a stop was made at the. Government plots f where Mr M. P. M'Ginuis outlined and I 'demonstrated tho border system Of. ir- ; rigiitipju The party- were taken to the lucerne patch where the advantages of using 'fertilisers on a lucerne crop Was noted. Mr .Shoobridge, who was very interested in |.lueerne growing, paid a visit to Duilinur Estate" where lie was met by Mr Macpherson and after a short talk and an inspection of, Tagerim growing luxurious in a very dry! spot the Tasmanian visitor straightway saw the possibilities of this species of lucerne and placed an order for 250 plants. "If Mr Macpherson can grow such plants on that third-class of soil 'then I . should have no difficulty in improving my place in Tasmania," said the visitor. All three carloads 'came together again at Mr liiuton's orchard where, after a cup.of tea,' the whole party inspected the orchard, spending a good deal of time in the cherry plantation. A very hearty vote of thanks and cheers were given Mr and Mrs Hinton for their hospitality. ; The next place on the programme was -a. visit to the . well-hud-out orchard of Mr E. Kinnaird. Here, the recently installed' central spraying-system was detailed and the power turned on. The motor was strong enough to give full power to two Friend: guns whicji played jets of fresh water on to the fruit trees as a demonstration. The great saving of time and labour and many other advantages of this system of spraying were apparent to the wjiole party., The information gained at this demonstration will form the substance of another article at a. later; date. A very interesting method of irrigating between the rows of trees was inspected and notes were taken by the Tasmaniaus perhaps for use in the near future. After a walk to the,end: of/ the lines of fruit trees the party returned to the, house and once again the motor engines purred. The 30 minutes at Mr Kinnaird's had been a. profitable one.. Although the. hour was getting late there was still another call to make. The tars headed for Conroys where Mr A. Taylor's orchard was' inspected Here, .again a cup of tea was hi readiness and although the afternoon had been nothing but one cup of tea after Ike other still the party really enjoyed the last as well as the first—a. tribute to fresh Central climate and to the good baking of the ladies. In the absence of Mr Taylor, Mrs, Miss and Mr J. Taylor escorted the party around. A walk through the lines of pear and cherry trees brought the party to the old walnut tree and it,can now lie safely be said that this tree js. the largest of its kind in Australasia as none of (lie visitors had seen anything like if in Tasmania or Australia. There was a good setting of pears and cherries on most of the trees and the visitors were favourably impressed. 'Expressions of thanks and hearty Adieers were given before the party moved o!f this time homeward bound. It was after seven when the party reached Alexandra and all were highly delighted at the day's outing, at the way the programme had been adhered to and the cordial welcome and hospitality at' every turn.

After dinner ;i round-tho-tablo•■ talk was hold and ideas and methods ex-. changed. This conference greatly appealed to the local growers and niairy useful points -were picked up. Msirketing was a subject which was sounded properly. . * .. The visit of the Tasmanians forged another Jink in the chain which binds and makes the name of Anzac dear to

The -party, left on Friday morning to join the main body in Dunedin,