ASPARAGUS FARMS

Press, Volume LXXXIII, Issue 25161, 17 April 1947, Page 8

ASPARAGUS FARMS

PLAN FOR RETURNED SOLDIERS

POSSIBLE INDUSTRY IN MARLBOROUGH

The possibilities* of establishing asparagus farms in Marlborough, as a means of placing former soldiers on the land, is being considered by the Rehabilitation Department. A cannery company interested in a guaranteed source of production for its iactory has offered the department any assistance it can provide, and as a result of the terms of its offer inquiries are being made about the prospects of settling returned men on properties Selection of returned soldiers for work on the proposed asparagus farms will be limited to returned men who are graded “A” for asparagus growing, seed growing, market gardening, or small-seed growing. It is stated officially that the continuing demand for asparagus throughout the Dominion makes its cultivation a suitable rehabilitation undertaking. Care will have to be taken to choose suitable land, states an official statement from the department, because asparagus is most vulnerable to frost. Apart from Marlborough, certain areas in Hawke’s Bay have been nominated for settling former soldiers as asparagus growers.

Some discussion has taken place in official circles on the amount of finance to be made available to men undertaking asparagus farming. The limit proposed under present arrangements for rural workers’ homes is £2OOO, but it is claimed that full production of asparagus by any new grower would not be reached before at least three years, and that therefore a separate financing plan would be needed. .