APPLES AND PEARS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 165, 6 April 1908, Page 2

APPLES AND PEARS.

■ SELECTION FOR THE BIG SHOW AT HOME. ' ' Mr. J. C. Blackmore, Government Pomologist, has gathered together what he describes 1 as a most magnificent- collection of apples (t6legraphed our Christchurch correspondent on Saturday). The collection consisted of five specimens each of 300 varieties, and was eloquent of the magnificent resources of Canterbury as a fruit-growing, district. The apples, which aro to reach Wellington on Wcdnes- ' day, will be sent to England under the auspices of the Industries and Commerce Department, for competition with the United Kingdom and the whole of the British Colonies at the Royal Horticultural Society's Show this year. . , ■ "In quality," said Mr. Blackmore, pointing to his present collcction, " you cannot beat them in any. part of the world. Wo havo hod a dry season," ho added, "and fruit this season is not so large on the whole, as in a season with an abundant rainfall, but my anticipations havo been realised in regard to this collection. The growers have helped me most generously, although several men havo done all they can, to prevent me from getting a representative collection together." Practically the whole of the shipment, he continued, was Canterbury-grown, the fruit from outside beiiig in most cases too badly bruised for selection. The collection, in his opinion, showed that theprovince had nothing to.feAr from insect peats,or fungi. Along with the apples, an exhibit of pears will be Bent Homo. Mr. Blackmore has already seventy-five varieties to choose from, but will Bsleot only those that ho thinks will arrive i» wad condition.