FARMERS AND ORCHARDISTS.

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume II, Issue 226, 27 August 1912, Page 3

FARMERS AND ORCHARDISTS.

A FEW STRAY NOTES. The Minister for Agriculture in Victoria stated the other day that he was convinced the exportation of fruit was hindered by the operations of a combine, and that he had information which rellected gravely upon the methods of some of the London agents who conducted sales. The secretary of the Pomona! (Vic.) Orehardists’ Association saythat a Victorian grower ne'ttecl 1 ! for fruit that was sold in London for £l. It is alleged that many of the agents are retailers as well as wholesalers, and that they are in complete combination against the producer. It is suggested that growers should combine and send a representative to London to see that the sales are conducted fairly. Increased interest in the cultivation of potatoes has been displayed by farmers on the Darling Downs, Q., this season. It is calculated that the area under potatoes has increased by 50 per cent., and it has been difficult to meet the applications for seed. A farmer who has just returned from a visit to Canada and the United States has pointed out to the local farmers that their methods of cultivation are faulty, judging from what he saw, due to shallow ploughing and want of attention. In Canada and the United States lime is freely used with great success in connection with the cultivation of potatoes. Recently the N.S.W. Minister for Agriculture sent Mr. Herbert, a gentleman who understands ostriches, to South Africa, th? Continent, and the Near East, to acquire birds for breeding purposes. Mr. Trefie has now received a communication from Mr. Herbert stating that he has secured a number of excellent birds from the Soudan. The purchase comprises twelve ostriches at £B5 each. They will be shipped to Sydney, and sent on to Hawkesbury College, where there are at present 20 birds. The Minister considers that the industry is an important one. For apples a fairly cold climate is required. Consequently, one would scarceli expect to find apples grown 1000 miles north of Brisbane. The Atherton tableland is said to be admirably adapted for this fruit, and the industry is extending there. Peaches, pears, and plums have also been grown on a small scale. The export of cheese from Queensland is likely to make considerable progress in the near future. A cheese manufacturers’ association has been formed to promote the interests of the industry, and on the Darling Downs two companies have amalgamated. The projected new Government cold stores in Brisbane, which will have a capacity of about 750 tons of refrigerated space, and be three times the size of the present stores, will provide for the storage of butter. cheese, fruit, and eggs. No provision is being made for lambs at present. .Va official connected with the Queensland Agency-General in London has advised the growers in the northern State to make a trial shipment of grapes to London, where there is always a ready market in March and April. He based his remarks on an inspection of a shipment of Almeria grapes sent by the Department of Agriculture in Western Australia, and which was landed in excellent condition. The Hon. R. Philp, formerly Premier of Queensland, recently took home a box of grapes from his State, and these also landed in good condition after a journey of ten weeks. The Queensland Agent-General when in Australia maintained that from his observation of tests made there should be no trouble in landing grapes from Australia, even if carried as ordinary cargo.