APPLE-GROWING LAND.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1276, 3 November 1911, Page 8

APPLE-GROWING LAND.

It has often been said that tho Nelson district, if laid out as a fruit farm, could supply not only tho Wellington province, but also all New Zealand. In past times the complaint has been that the virtues of Nelson as a fruit-growing area have not been properly brought before the general public of the North Island. This reproach has been wiped. out by Messrs. Miller and Rutter, the enterprising firm of Wellington land agents. In order to demonstrate, _ as fully as possible, tho value of Nelson fruit-growing lands, Messrs. Miller and Rutter exhibited at the Palmerston Show plans and particulars of the . well-known Bronte Estate, situated on the Moutere Hills; and now on the market, in subdivisions of from 12 acrcs upwards. It is a well-known fact that the Moutere Hills are admirably adapted for fruit-growing. The soil is a fine, friable, grey learn, and the sub-soil a porous clay. It is estimated by wellknown experts in the fruit-growing business, and who have already taken up areas of the country, that the average yield per tree on the Bronte Estate would be at least .five cases, which would give an approximate gross return of ,£215 per acre. The importance of an export fruit trade is becoming recognised now in New Zealand, and the present seems to bo the opportune time for those at all interested in the fruit business to invest in sound propositions of this description. Within a few years after planting an orchard is a great money-producer, and there are numerous instances in Hawke's Bay where orchaniists in a short period have become comparatively wealthy. It must bo remembered that, just now, the lands referred to can be purchased from iS to .£2O per acre- and that grown orchards, fivo miles distant, are selling up to £150 per acre. The same thing has happened in Hawke's Bay, and it is obvious that the sale ot the Bronte Estate for fruit-grow-ing purposes is a particularly sound investment. Amongst those who have already taken up fruit lands in the Bronte and adjoining estates are Mr. T. W. Kirk, Director of the Orchard Division, and his assistant, Mr. Williams, Mr. F. R, Hallam, late Government Inspector «i' Orchards, Mr. T. Horton, of Hawke's Bav, and many other well-known Wellington and Manawatu busfness men, whose names are available to any inquirers. Some vcrv fine specimens of Moutere apple fruit wero op. 'jxbibition at Messrs. Miller and Rutter's stand, and were very much admired. One sample which has been in store for three months was particularly rich in colour, and of a very fine texture. Messrs. Miller and Rutter's address is 35 Panama Street, Wellington.*