PEACH GROWING.

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LII, Issue 8616, 13 June 1924, Page 11 (Supplement)

PEACH GROWING.

TAURANGA HOME PEACH KNOWN (By Mr W. C. Berridge, ex-manager Government Horticultural 3 Station, Tauranga).

In the olden times of 40 to 50 years ago Tauranga was celebrated for its peaches and at the various points and bays around tho harbour peach trees aero grown at the Maori settlements, and during the months of January. February and March the ground under tho trees was often covered inches deep with ripe fruit, that provided luscious foed for pakcha and Maori, as well ns for horses, cattle and pigsA'nout 3S years ago the leaf curl devastated most of the Maori peach groves as well as the pakcha orchards. At first the damage was ascribed to an insect, but tho investigations of the Biological Department, soon ascertained that the damage was caused by n fungoid growth ami that timely sprayings with various preparations of copper sulphate would control the damage if properly applied. Somo eight yearn ago the brown rot appeared and has proved most disastrous to fruit—especially peaches. Even the citrus family has not been exempt. All the best American canning peaches have boon tested in Tauranga, but without exception have been found to Ikj shy bearers in this district. Tnuranga has the honour of producing the best canning peach, without exception, in existence, namely the “Golden Queen’' peach. It has been tested by expert canners both in New Zealand and in Australia, in competition with all the host American and European varieties, and the verdict has been unanimous that it is the lest flavoured peach for bottling and canning known. About 12 years ago the writer sent two cases of this peach* to tho I rimloy Fanning Factory for testing purposes, and the manager, Mr Basil Jones, described it as “a perfect canning peach, a little eji the small side." This has now been rectified by a now seedling raised by Mr Geo. Tcbbs called the “Improved Golden Queen," that is Unite as good in flavour and about ‘Ad per cent, larger. Mr D. Hay—tho Auckland nurseryman — was so impressed with tho quality that ho paid £3O cash and 2-30 young trees for the sole right of taking buds from tho parent tree. The origin of the peach was this—Air Sant Reeves, a citizen of tliis town, obtained some peaches from Opotiki to supply his customers in Rotorua. and among tho fruit were some yellow fleshed peaches that were supplied by the Missionaries to the Maoris

and called by them tho “Faukeun. or “pumpkin” peach. From stone-, of this fruit wore grown several yellowfleshed varieties, and one that was ol exceptional quality was photographed uud«r the name of “Reeves Golden Queen" —a variety that is becoming famous as the best flavoured bottling and canning peach known. In addition to its exceptional flavour, it has the further merit of keeping tho syrup it is preserved in from becoming “ropy or muddy”—a great point in commercial canning. One 'liottle was exhibiteel by the writer at the various metropolitan shows for seven years, and at the end of that time it was still in prime condition. A fruit grower In ouo of the irrigation districts of Australia ordered a dozen peach trees I rom a Sydney nurseryman and among the trees supplied was a fellow flesh peach that at one© attracted notice for its excellent canning properties. A few treos were propagated and planted out for further trial. During a visit to tho irrigation settlements on the Murray a peach was pointed out to the writer as a splendid canning variety and was at once recognised by him as tho Golden Queen. Mr Brady—manager of the Leo to n canning factory, who had just returned from a visit to the United States with the_ latest information and machinery for canning and who is in charge of the l.oeton factory—the largest and most up-to-date in the Southern Hoini-sphere-as-aured the writer that if he could Oldi obtain an ample supply of Queen" peaches for canning, ho would not be afraid of American or any oilier compolilion, as tbc qiialit> w.i> i.n approachable. Ibis peach when Si own in Australia, tinder irrigation conditions, is quit© 20 to 30 per rent, larger" than tho fruit known hcic. -I lew of theses peaches have been canned in New Zealand, but sufficient e-are’ has not been used to ensure’, an even stag© of ripeness—half rip© peaches wore placed in the same’ tins ns ripe- fruit—resulting in an uneven grade. This has mitigated against a recognition of us true quality, and until tho fruit is skilfully graded to equal ripeness. ct<-.. uur canned goods will never equal the American canned fruit in tho “extra fancy," “fancy." and “choice" grades, A demonstration of tin's was given m th& Chamber of Commerce, Auckland, some years ago by Mr Jacques, cau-

I>r A. Sander, Bendigo, Victoria, present head of the firm with the longest continuous advertising record in the Bay of Blcnty Times, dating from September, 3.SSO. “The linn of Sander and Sous was established by Air Carl Sander in 1872 now fifty years ago—when h© produced, as pioneer in the field, a puro ethereal extract- of eucalyptus. He met with a great deal of opposition as to the antiseptic value of his article, until Lord Lister announced that it is four times as strong as an antiseptic as any carbolic solution which can be used with safety, and is entirely iiuiiirm.ating to the tissues. A great many testimonials from laymen as to its curative power* when applied externally were also received, but these had only reference to external use. It w .is not until the American Medical profession took up its use as an internal medicament, and consequently demanded a standardised ami Uniterm, product, that the present proprietor, our Dr A. sfander. M.D., M.R.C.S.. L.li C.l 1 .. supervised and periected the manufacture ot o«r extract, so that it

long expert, who “pciicd about id mis of all tho x anon* grades of peaches, apricots and penis c.'hiaincj iroui Loudon) of the American canned fruits. Th© reason given to Mr Jacques for not supplying the grades from California . wa.s that there was an “unlimited demand" for the “extra limey,’' ,uul “fancy" grades in the large metropolitan dt;c- and the dealers did not care to handle a small older lor export. so it was easier to pint the order in Loudon. They were qu.te willing to ‘•upply any use orders for “choice" and standard" brands.

BRIGHT SUNNY DAYS DELIGHTFUL COOL NIGHTS AWAIT YOU AT TAURANGA

entuained a large and uniform amount of oucalyptol, owing to being distilled from carefully selected leaves, and to a special process of maturing and oxygenation. The public lias recognised its high standard of cpiality by its splendid patronage, and It is now used with great benefit in all infectious diseases wherever genres arc the causative factor. The mercantile side of the firm lias been, after the first few years of hard struggle, one of continued progress. After its local introduction, our extract found its way to all the accessible markets of tire world. In 187 Swo commenced advertising in four capitals of New Zealand, and the years 1879 and 18-80 witnessed the extension of the advertising to the country press of New Zealand, and it must have !»3©n in either one of those years that we became connected with your paper. Yon .know thru- the connection w-as an uninterrupted and mutually cm-dial one up to this date, and w© hope will eoniinue for.many years to come. The present proprietor, T>r A. Zander, AI D.. M.R.C.S., L.R.t'.P . who is the son of the originator of the firm, is supervising th© processes ef manufacture personally in ail its details. and thus ensures at- efficient, safe and uniform article, which the public is highly appreciating as the best that long experience, skill and personal attention to c-very detail can provided’