COMMERCIAL

Grey River Argus, 11 February 1941, Page 6

COMMERCIAL

OTAGO FRUIT CROP DECLINE. OAMARU, February 9. A serious decline in the acreage of fruit crons because of the destruction of orchard trees was reported at the conference of the Horticultural Trades Association in Oamaru. Mr. W. T. Thompson, a Heathcote fruitgrower, said that people were concerned at the prospect of shortei supplies and higher prices. In Canterbury, he said, there was at present a shortage of stone fruit. The Director of the Horticultural Division, Department of Agriculture (Mr. W.’ K. Dallas) stated that there were ample supplies of apples and pears for all purposes, including export, but further plantings of stone fruits were badly needed in suitable localities. For drying and canning there was a need of 1,000 acres of’ peaches and apricots. The conference adopted a report by .Mr. T. D. Lennie (Christchurch) fixing uniform terms and standards of nursery lines that would apply to sizes, descriptions, and other gradings.