TOMATOES AND STONE FRUIT.

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19731, 23 September 1929, Page 3

TOMATOES AND STONE FRUIT.

+ MEETING OF GROWERS. The Christchurnh Tomato and Stone Fruitgrowers' Association met on Saturday night, Mr C. J. Fineran presidThe State Fire Insurance Office wrote that the Christchurch manager would discuss with representatives of the Association matters relating to hailstone glasshouse insurance. The chairman said he was unable to give details at present. Certain proposals were going before the Head Office and those he thought would ,be satisfactory to glasshouse owners. By next meeting he hoped to be able to give the definite rates. Mr F. W. Cone, on behalf of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association, invited members to attend a lantern lecture to be given on the first Saturday of next montli. The chairman and Messrs Pope and Buektin reported on their interview with the railway authorities regarding the dispatch of fruit for the south, especially during the Christmas holi-. days. The chairman said the deputation received a sympathetic hearing, and were given an assurance that steps would be taken to prevent fruit being side-tracked and delayed in transit. Mr Pope said the matter would have to be very closely watched, otherwise it was possible that fruit consignments would not be taken by the express. Mr P. Pawson, Railway Business Agent, wrote regarding the fruitgrowers' excursion next? month to Hastings and Nelson. The chairman said the committee had considereJ the letter and had come to the conclusion that the time of year was not suitable for tomato and stone fruitgrowers. A reply had been »ent on tfeose lines. Mr J- A. Campbell, Director of the Horticultural Division, wrote regarding the white fly parasite, that the ehaleid parasite (encarsia fonnosa) was bred in specially-heated houses in England, for distribution to nurseries early in the season, for the control of white fly (trialeurodes vaporariorum), and was proving very successful. "In suggesting tjiat the Department investigate the matter, the inference is that your members are seriously troubled with this pest in their tomato and glasshouse crops. On this point, I would be glad of information, as, speaking generally, this pest is not giving much trouble, to my knowledge, in other parts of the country.'' Several speakers gave instances of trouble from the white fly (or ghost fly), and it was stated that it not only attacked tomatoes, but also beans. It was decided to ask the Director of the Horticulture Division to obtain a supply of the parasite. Discussion was resumed, from the previous meeting, on the question of continuing the Association's contribution to the Progress League. A motion that no contribution be made was defeated by a big majority, and it was decided to continue the Association's previous subscription of £1 Is. Mr Buektin referred to the appearance of Earatongan tomatoes on the market. Mr D. J. Fa 11a said that 500 cases would be landed to-morrow, which was not a large shipment; but there would be a shipment next month —that was the shipment they did not like. He had watched the proceedings in Parliament in respect of proteetion through the tariff, but had seen nothing. He believed that Raratongan tomatoes would be restricted—not so much on account of their agitation, but because it was not paying. Mr Pope said he thought they should urge that the law preventing the sending of infected fruit from one part of tke country to another should be enforced. Mr B. G. Goodwin (Government Orchard Instructor) said the law did not prevent fruit being sent from an infected district. The chairman said every effort had been made by the Association in the matter of the importation of Raraton« gas tomatoes, and to have them marked. No action was proposed, and the subjeet dropped. Mr H. J. F*ii» ga ,ve an address dealwith his experiences during hia trip<

to England. He said that he had visited several places in England and the Channel Islands, where tomatoes were grown. The Channel Islands? growers- were recognised as the pioneers of early tomato culture. Growers emphasised e importance of root aetxon. He gave details of methods adopted to combat pests. They growled, he s»id, *bout the diseases they had to mlend tart tkey thank

goodness that they were not afflicted with red spider. Owing to ravages of this insect, tomato crops in Europe had been absolutely ruined last year and the year before. Great care was taken in grading. A great quantity of the Channel Island tomatoes were marketed in 121b baskets, which were returnable. After aaaweriag several questions, Mr Taßa vac aeeorded a vote ef thinks.