EXPERT FRUIT-GROWING.

Evening Post, Volume LXVI, Issue 151, 23 December 1903, Page 5

EXPERT FRUIT-GROWING.

«. In theso days, when tho fact, long existent, i« at lost becoming patent to «U — that with a little fly«U>muti«iiig and a moderate capitalisation fruit will become a. valuable a«wet among our colony's primary producing industries — it is interesting to take not© of what a practical orchardist is doing in our own district. At Paraparuuinu, that sunny locality on tho Manawatu line, Mcwrs. G. Hamilton tfrapca and Co, have ft ten-year-old orchard, no iv in full bearing; and its eucce«» i» atUwtod by tho way in which tho proprietors aro extending their operations. Mr. Grapes has u-vocuitcd with htm Mr. Hugh Gerard as manager. The firm is also establishing another orchard in the North, in the hotter clime of Tnurunga, In the Bay of Plenty. A Post reporter was shown over the Paraparaumu orchard by Mr. Gerard, and was much impressed with tho methodical manner in which everything is put to a practical use, tho orchard area being utilised to its fullest, while, tho motive power for three or four different oiwrations is gathered in free from the air by a handy form of windmill. This windmill drives a circular saw, by means of which 18in logs can be cut, and all tho lengths for fruit cases are eawn and the casea made on tho spot. Tho same motive power works a .meal mill, al«o the pump that draw* the water from the well, besides various other little contrivances, ouch on t, grindstone, Altogether, it ia surprising ho^v much can bo done with a simple windmill and a Jin rod. Canning has not yet taken on tho proportions it will eventually assume, but some fine specimens of jam* and preserves and canned fruits ivero in evidence, all packed in n t cool chamber. Another compartment was specbilly arranged for tho cool storage of apples, so that they may be sold in tho season of scarcity. Tho growing of lato and «ariy varieties of fruit, and tho proper storage of good-keeping sorts, are necessary elements to assure ono of the main sources of success— viz. , catching tne market when stocks are short and prices high. Instead of holding pride of place only during its own brief season, tho Now Zealand article, fresh and preserved, should be able to hold ita own throughout the beat part of tho year against tho American and Australian fruits now ao largely and uiinecessurily imported. This is the culminating point towards which moderate investment and practical skill such ns that shown in Mr. Grapec's orchard are bringing our tardy fruit industry. From the preserving compartments ono passes to tho hot ones wh«ro tho inverse process is in progress — e.g., the final ripening of pears und other fruit tnat liave •to be picked at a certain afcage- to ensure «afe transit. Then tho forcing houses for grapes and for peache* are visited. In tho grape house* viticultural skill has produced most pleasing results, winch •peak not only for'thernselvcs but for tho raluo the colony must reap in the near future from the successful establishment of open-air viticulture in North Auckland and Hawkes Bay. Pausing on to tho orclutrd in general, one notices that the fcaturo w tho pears, fine well-grown treea laden with fruit. A very small tree carried about l*>o. Cherries are over, but gooseberries urc still in full bearing, and peaches and plums just in. Tho show of Bricgs's R«d May, growing in the open trained against a fence, it a- lino one, tho delicate bloom of this favourite peach making a pretty picture. One thing must bo emphasised, and that is tho cleanness of the treca and the obvious freedom from posts. This stalie in purchased at the price of constant vigilance and hard work, persistent spraying at regular intervals i and it Is no wonder that the hardworked orchardist calls out for drastic legislation to ossuro that tho results of his industry shall not be negatived by the indolence of others. Tho maintenance of tho peat war, and the improvement of transit facilities, are am essential to the future of the orchardist as are capital and ty.item. The progressive turn of the proprietors' mind ia shown, by tho fact that In connection with the now Orchard *t TauraugA it im intended to ruu a motorcar to carry fruit to Kotoruo., and, belidca supplying that market, to connect there by train with Auckland, thus reachIng the market of the Northern City as veil aa Wellington.