CITRUS FRUITS.

Gisborne Times, Volume LXVIII, Issue 10743, 14 November 1928, Page 7

CITRUS FRUITS.

DEVELOPMENT IN NEW ZEALAND. ADVICE TO LOCAL GROWERS. An interesting survey of citrus fruitgroAving in Australia v/th relation to the development of production of this fruit in Po\mrty Bay was given by Mr. Geo. Green, Dominion organiser of the N.Z. Institute of Horticulture, before a large gathering of members of the Poverty Bay branch on Monday night. Mr. Green deaLt at length with the work Avhich had been undertaken with a small grant that had been made for the purpose of the N.Z. Scientific and Industrial Department, and explained the method that Avas being followed. Information as to the L«fchaviour of stocks, and varieties under different conditions Avas being accumulated and arranged for reference. The organiser’s trip last autumn to Australia Avas touched on and the value of the information there gained, of the industry there, anc; the varieties, stocks, and methods employed in Australia and their bearings on N.Z. practice AA-ere explained at length. He said that the leading oranges now advocated in Australia were the Navel and the \eleneia Late, both of which he considered could be grown commercially in Poverty Bay in suitable locations. These A'arieties were more easily sold and commanded the highest prices on the markets. In lemons an Improved Lisbon and the Eureka were grown largely there and these did well in Gisborne. He advocated the trial on a commercial scale of the V ilia Franca and the Genoa, both of which were succeeding avcll in the Tauranga district. Grape fruit was also largely grown in Australia. Mere he advocated the cultivation of the seedless types of the Poorman Orange both as a breakfast fruit and also for preserving. He said that once the public got the taste for the Poorman they would prefer it to any of the imported grape fruits. It would succeed better and give more profitable returns than the American grape fruit. The matter of stocks Avas touched on and the-' lecturer suggested that the Seedling Orange and the Citronelle, both of which were proved in Gisborne should be relied on Avhile making reasonable tests with/ other sorts. In answer to a question ho said that the Trifoliata stock Avas not- a success in a general Avar m Australia and that the experiments with it here suggested that it should be confined to plants for Homo gardens. Mr. Green explained the steps that had been taken to secure the best propagating materials from U.S.A., Australia, and the finest types in New Zealand, and also that 1~000 stocks Avere now groAving in four varieties' for carrying out experiments on. These, it Avas hoped, would provide trees from pedigree stock to plant out on test areas in Auckland, and where ever there Avere arrangements made to try them out. I his would prm r ide a definite start in citrus Avhereby the best available in the world AA'ould be brought together and tested out. He adA’ised that Gisborne should arrange to try tsese test trees out. He strongly advocated the culture of citrus fruits in Poverty Bay. Mr. Mclndoe sajd there had been a great increase in the export of lemons from Gisborne in the last three years. Mr. Hardy said that the production of the Bay was now over 5,000 cases pier year at the least, Avhile the young trees coming on Avould soon increase the output. Mr. Green strongly advocated that Gisborne groAvei’s should form a Citrus Association, and; affiliate with the Neiv Zealand Citrus Council.

Mr. Green said there was much work for such an association to undertake. It would be able to vocalise, its needs as a citrus area and at the same time it would enable the local growers to assist in the formation of a Dominion centre of citrus information and influence. Mr. Green pointed out the important position that citrus culture had iii the development of the small holder, and the great exp-ension that was possible. He considered that not only lemons and Pcorman organes could be grown to perfection in Poverty Bay and other parts of the Dominion, but that sweet oranges of high quality could also be grown for the market. They dwelt on the need for cooperation at all points, and for a comprehensive district frost- survey so that there may be no losses resulting from ' planting in unsuitable places. Shelter, drainage, and tlio need for - a complete control of pests and diseases was stressed. He said that there was great need that every care should he taken to prevent the introduction of many pests and diseases which were not here ns yet. The local Institute Council could assist in the citrus development.