WERAROA EXPERIMENT FARM.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1361, 12 February 1912, Page 8

WERAROA EXPERIMENT FARM.

« FRUITGROWERS AND EXPERTS CONFER, Representatives of the Horowhenua Fruitgrowers' Association mot Mr. Kirk and Mr. Boucher, of the Orchards Division of the Agricultural Department, at the Weraroa Experiment Farm a few days ago. Asked in what way tho Department could assist the association, the president (Mr. Neil), according to the "Chronicle," said that local growers were very disappointed to see how tho orchard at the Government Experiment Farm, Weraroa, had for some years been neglected, and recently so severely curtailed as to make it almost useless for experimental purposes. They regretted what thev referred to as an evident intention of tho Agricultural Department to make this orchard a commercial one, and to compete with local growers; also the destruction of the- unique collection of cider apples and plums. They also regretted the cessation of the vegetable experiment section, which was so interesting and useful.

. Mr. Kirk, in reply, explained the orlnnial plan on which (ho horticultural section of the farm was laid out; viz., to retain and improve the old orchard as to supply the farm till the new orchard mi commercial lines caine to bearing. The forming of a pear orchard had proved an unqiialihed success. Immediately in front of the apiary there was a temporary vegetable-testing ground. Tho back portion of the section round the horticulturists house was devoted partly for testnig small fruit and partly for a nursery. Alter the trees in Hie new farm orchard came to bearing, those in the old orchard (which had by tho Department's predecessors in office been planted on raised mouuds, owing to the very wet nature of the ground) were to be removed, aud this section to bo used for tho farm kitchen garden, and for the permanent vegetable testing and experimenting ground. The large additional piece nf laud to the south of the macrocarpa hedge was planted with a i.onr.iroheusivo collection of fruit trees, two" of each variety. It had l>con maintained that peaches would not grow on this coast; ho was sure they would, provided shelter was secured. Therefore the scheme of planting was made, and it v.as admirably carried out by Mr. Boucher. The peaches, nectarines, and cherries were placed at the more sheltered in-1 of iha ground following on with ; jlums, apries, pears, etc. A splendid collection of trees probably the best in Australasia, was gradually secured, spaces being left for the addition of new varieties, (ho aim being to test and demonstrate the value or otherwise of the different varieties of each class of fruit; to maintain a comprehensive collection of fruit trees for (he inspection and instruction of orchardists; to provide for distribution to propagators a supply of buds and grafts, pips and stone fruit, from proved trees; to afford information and demonstrations of (he methods of pruning and treatment thatm ay bo adopted to bring about good results; and to afford opportunity for testing specifics for the control of pestsmany so-called specifics being constantly introduced by business firms—and to de"monstrate the results to visitors. Tn reply to questions, Mr. Kirk admitted that owing probably to tho lack of funds the authorities had been unablo Jo supply the labour to complete the equipment or maintain the grounds as they should have been kept. With regard to the cider apples and the plums, he said ho might point out that when Hie imperative necessity for retrenchment, arose a scheme of curtailment was prepared by the Director of the Experiment Farms, and when shown (o Mr. Kirk he quite agreed that'if drastic retrenchment was imperative tho cider apples and plums should go first. The cider apples had been obtained at his (Mr. Kirk's) request, because there was then every pros|iect of a good business growing up in the manufacture of eider. Instead it had, if anything, gone back, awl with the prospect of National Prohition in tho near future it would be most unwise to advise anyono to plant orchards of eider apples. With regard to the.plums, Mr. Kirk said that retrenchment being imperative, plum.s would naturally be tho first to go as being, generally speaking, the least payable class of fruit. It. was also mentioned that the good done by Mr. Taylor's new specific for the eradication of the woolly aphis having proved a success had more than amply repaid all the expenditure incurred in the experiment orchard. Mr: Kirk next explained that Mr. Clifton's plan (which he understood had been approved by (he Minister) did not contemplate an abandonment of testing and experimenting; indeed, Mr. Clifton had that day stated.that the stocks wero ready for planting a new and much smaller area. The whole of the present testing-grounds wore being restored to the farm for general purposes. Asked whether he considered that a proncr thing to do, he replied that ho could hardly discuss that question. The Minister had decided that under the circumstances it was necessary. In reply to the statement that it was wrong for the Government to convert the ; lace into n commercial orchard, and that the. liinetians of such grounds should b-j purely testing and experimental, he said that oncurd up the question of the policy of these farms. This •.■as a question for the Minister to decide, and iheri-lore he could not discuss if.

Mr. Boucher said there had been a demand that these farms should pay. That could only be done by having a commercial area, the fruit from which could be marketed, and would onbahlv pay the co«t nf the testing and experimental portion. Tt was understood they would expirf the fruit, not sell it on the loral market. This statement was received with dissent, the general feeling Mug that fruit should not bo grown in these farms for competition with private New Zealand growers, no matter in what market.