The Fruit Industry.

Press, Volume LIII, Issue 15894, 7 May 1917, Page 6

The Fruit Industry.

Tho second annual National Apple Show, held tinder the auspices of the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation at Dunedin, last was a great success from two points of view. It brought before the public the fact that fruit-growing is a rapidly developing industry in the Dominion, and it showed that the cultivation of fruit can be carried on from practically one end of the country to the other. Some interesting figures were quoted at the opening of the show, which indicated that since 1912 there has been an increase of no less than 14,160 acres planted in fruit trees, atid probably this docs not go beyond what lias been done in the extension of commercial orchards. During the same period people, for their oWh use, have planted in the aggregate a good many acres. The additional plantings since 1912 are distributed as follows: —Auckland 23G1 acres, Hawke's Bay 625, Taranr.ki 135, Wellington 404, Marlborough CB2, Nelson 6605, Canterbury 12-46, and Otago 2110. There are now over 45,000 acres planted. The additional plantings since 1912 are estimated to yield, when the trees are in full bearing, no less than 3,360,000 cases of fruit. The Government have acknowledged the importance of the industry by assisting it with tho aid of experts and by the passing of special legislation. Important developments have taken place during the past year in the provision for handling fruit for the local arid export markets and for dealing with the surplus that is below the market standards. In the Nelsoli district very considerable enterprise and progress have been manifested, especially in the erection of packing sheds alid cool stores and means for disposing of low-grade fruit.

What is of inost importance to the fruit-grower who is in possession of a commercial orchard is a market for his produce. Prior to the outbreak of the war the export trade showed a rapid expansion, and, through shipment' made to American and Canadian ports, it has kept up well during the pa9t three years. It may take some time after the close of the war before shipping arrangements can settlo down and the export in fruit be more fully developed. Growing its fruit at the opposite season to thoNorthern Hemisphere, New Zealand is in the same position regarding this industry as it is in regard to the markets for its meat, butter, and cheese. There is only oue possible consumer that may in tho end develop into a supplier of its own needs, or even into a competitor, and that is South Amcrica. New Zealand has a£ present a good jnarket in the Argentine, but there have been reports published to the effcct that that country has been largely importing apple trees, and there is no doubt that a country with such a wide range of climate and situation must have abundant areas suitable for the cultivation of fruit. Then: is no immediate danger, however, of losiap, the South American markets, and, on the other band, the Panama Canal should be the moans of opening up a good market for New Zealand fruit in the eastern pdrtion of the United States when normal shipping arrangements return. The New Zealand fruitgrower has also a developing local market.

As we liavo pointed out, the recent show at Dunedin demonstrated the fact that almost the whole of the Dominion may be elasscd as suitable for fruit cultivation. In the extreme north and in the outskirts of settlement in the South Island where few others crops can be grown, fruit will do well. One cannot take a journey through any part of the country without seeing areas lying idle, except for a meagre amount of grazing that is afforded, and in many cases not even that, where fruit could bo profitably grown. What is being done in the Auckland, Nelson, and Otago provinces amply proves that land hitherto considered practically useless is ideal for fruit-growing. The holding of an annual fruit show in the principal in turn by the Fruit-growers' Federation, is an excellent idea, as it brings before the

public at a glance, as it were, the capabilities of til© different districts. The success of the recent Show in Cantorbury indicates also the value of local fruit shows, for besides the export trade, there is tho local market to consider, and this lias possibilities that have only been realised during the past few years. Those who arc dealing in fruit in a wholesale- way arc realising what an important bearing the grading and packing of fruit for the local market has had upon the consumption. One of the ideas that the Nelson fruitgrowers recommend is the? packing of fruit in 101b boxes for the Ic-ca! market. to lie : ont direct t-o retailers. The smaller quantify would no doubt soon become a very popular method of distribution, as the 401 lj case is too large for most people, and retailing fruit in small quantities necessitates more handling, and consequently increased cost. Tho recent Show in Dunedin should afford the New Zealand Fruit-'grofcers' Federation some lessons for their guidance i:i holding future exhibitions. In the first place, the name, ".National Apple Show," should be altered to tho wider definition, ''National Fruit Show.'' The present title was no doubt selected as being more likely to appeal to the public, seeing that apples form the main part of the show. J3ut tho Auckland Court at the Show in Dunedin alone demonstrated that apples are not tho only fruit that can be grown in the Dominion. The display of citrus and other sub-tropical fruits was a remarkably fine one, and was of considerable interest to those who bad not- hitherto realised that Auckland can produce such fine samples of lemons and oranges. Pears and stone fruits, as well as apples, are, of course, grown to perfection in New Zealand, but the holding of the Show m tho autumn puts almost the tvholo of the stone fruits out of court from an exhibition point of view. But the products of the orchard generally can bo seen in the manufactured article in various forms, so that the term "National Fruit Show," would, in every way be the most appropriate. Another lesson the Federation should learn from the Show at Dunedin is the necessity for restriction in the setting up of the provincial displays. Officials of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society -were "able to show them that elaborate staging will in tho end kill these displays, as it did the once famous county bays at the Otago Winter Show. We understand that the officials of tho Federation who were present at the Show la6t week appreciate the point, and intend to recommend that expenditure upon staging the exhibits bo restricted to a certain amount of money. Tho schedule of points under which these district exhibits arc judged will need to he revised, and no points allowed for spectacular effect, which has no practical value. From all the evidences at hand it is manifest that there is considerable interest being taken in the fruit-grow-ing industry in the Dominion, and it has now developed to such an extent that the recent steps taken with regard to uniform methods in handling and marketing the crop are only a natural sequence.