FRUIT CULTURE

Evening Post, Volume LXXXIX, Issue 147, 23 June 1915, Page 14

FRUIT CULTURE

A FEATURE FOR THIS DISTRICT The opinion of Mr. T. W. Kirk, Director of 'Orchards, is that a great future' lies in the cultivation of the areas between Paekakariki and Palmerston North, particularly along the i-ail-way line, as orchards and market gardens. So far the Manawatu district has not come iiito great prominence as a fruit-producing locality, but nevertheless, in instances where there has been any sorioua attempt made, tho adaptability of tb& soil to tbi& purpose has been amply demonstrated. Each year more is being done. In one or two isolated cases most phenomenal yiolds have been obtained. The Department, which Mr. Kirk directs conducts, in various parts of the Dominion, classes for the instruction of orchardists and others in the proper | methods of grading and packing fiuit. This year, at the Winter Show, advan* tage is being taken of the presence of farmers, and interested persons, from far and near, to hold classes of instruct tion. These classes promise to be a feature of the show. They will be held on the four days of theehow, and will be conducted by members of the Govern' ment staff. On the 23rd and 24th mat. there will also be held competitions under the direction of the Department, but arranged by the . Winter Show authorities. For this prizes have been donated by the Fruit Auctioneers' Aesociation (Messrs. Laery and Co., G. Thomas and Co., Thompson Bros., C. A. Griffiths and Co., and Townsend and Paul). Messrs. Joseph Nathan, and Co. whose firm arc- big exporters, of fruit, are joining with the donors. On, tho thud day of the show the winners of the competitions on the first two days will compete in a championship event, and the winner will receive a special prize of one guinea, presented by the A. and P. Association, and a championship certificate. The competition ie open to all comers who have duly entered their names. An expert knowledge of the grading of fruit and the proper methods of packing it for tho foreign market is very essential to the successful conduct of tho industry, and th.ef,q daws, and their 'addition to tlw hllow will piuvg a- w.el-