APPLE EXPORT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XVIII, Issue 21, 6 January 1928, Page 5

APPLE EXPORT

TOO MANY VARIETIES. A CANDID CRITIC. Speaking last night at the Nurserymen's Conference m Wellington. Mr. T. W. Atwood, of Auckland, president of the Fruit Growers’ Federation. urged that the number of varieties of apples tor export should be out down to about eight Mr. Atwood's address was entitled "Commercial Fruit Growing,” and he stated that the Dominion was highly suitable for fruit growing from one end to the other, but there were too many varieties ot apples grown. He understood that about 1250 different varieties had been introduced, and he declared that at least 1200 were no good. From one or two varieties only in the right place they could build up a euceeseful commercial orchard, and for the export trade, if he had his way, he would cut the varieties down to eight, as the others "were not worth their salt.” The future of the apple industry lay with the orchardists in tlie first place, and secondly in the insulated chambers of the shipping. Mr. Atwood also made some remarks on the insect pests. There were about 175 insect pests and funfoid growths in the Dominion known to the scientists, and Dr. Tillyard had told him that there were about 200 more waiting the chance to get in. Personally he (Mr. Atwood) would not be sorry to see them in. because then the orchardist would know exactly where he stood (Laughter.) Nine-tenths of these "varmints” the fruit farmer could not see. as they worked in the dark, and hi s life was spent in one incessant struggle against them. At one tune he could not sleep at night thinking out the different formulae he was recommended to apply. (Laughter ! Now however, science was coming to the rescue, and in that connection he considered that New Zealand had been very sillv in losing the services of Dr. Tillyard.