FRUIT INDUSTRY

Evening Star, Issue 19274, 12 June 1926, Page 10

FRUIT INDUSTRY

VARIETIES COfIFEREfIGE Ou Friday of last week a conference of delegates from all Otago fruitgrowers’ associations was held under the auspices ot the Department of Agriculture to consider the question ot the suitability of the various varieties of pip and stone fruits at present grown for tho local market and export trades. Air H. Turner was in the chair, arid there were also present. Messrs W. T. Goodwin, Assistant Dinetor of Horticulture, TV. K. Dallas and R. Hamilton (orchard instructors), and J. Inwood, fruit inspector. The previous varieties conference was hold in 1920, and that conference compiled a comprehensive list of varieties which were approved for the various markets, and also a list of those varieties which had been recommended for further testing. These schedules were considered at length by tho recent conference, with a result that a number ot varieties have been recommended to add to tho permanent list, ethers for further testing, and others struck out. in all over 200 varieties were considered, and a comprehensive report will lie forwarded from Otago for consideration at Die Dominion Varieties Conference to be held in Wellington early in July. Orchardists as well as horticulturists recognise tho danger of a multiplicity of varieties, many of which are unsuitable and many of which differ very little in form, color, and flavor from varieties carrying different names. As a result of tho various conferences, it is hoped that a compact and yet comprehensive list of varieties most suitable for local market and exportpurposes will be compiled, .which will be of great value to those who contemplate planting out fresh areas. Mr J. H. W.aigth was unanimously appointed as delegate to the Dominion Varieties Conference in Wellington on behalf of the Otago fruitgrowers, and Mr A. Burrows was recommended as delegate to represent tho nurserymen of Otago.