Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copics Daily WEDNESDAy, MARCH 18, 1908. THE GRAPE INDUSTRY.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLI, Issue 8537, 18 March 1908, Page 4

Manawatu Evening Standard. Circulation, 3,500 Copics Daily WEDNESDAy, MARCH 18, 1908. THE GRAPE INDUSTRY.

New Zealand contains so many advantages in the matter of fruit culture that it is somewhat surprising production is not carried on more extensively. The industry is one which can be made to return substantial profit* to the grower, and the fact that it is not expanding to the extent desired is probably due in a measure to the prosperity of the country, this extra string to their bow not having been considered necessary by settlers who are in a position to devote time and attention to the work. There is, however,, one branch of the industry which is making steady progress, viz., grape production. When the duty on Australian grapes was removed it was feared by growers that their business would be seriously affected, but the experience so far has. been an increased demand for the New Zealand article. Mr Bragato, the Government Viticulturist, has frequently contended that Waerenga, in the Auckland Province, can supply all New Zealand with an abundance of grapes both cheaper and better than the Australian. Never has there been such a quantity of local grapes on the Auckland market as during this seas/m, and heavy consignments are still pouring in and realising good prices. Shipments are also being sent South with satisfactory results. It is also gratifying to learn that hothouse growers, who greatly feared the importation from the other side, are competing on favourable terms with the imported article, and there seems to be no cause for the alarm that was manifested when the duty was removed. The season, we learn, has been a very favourable one for growers, the drought being as valuable to the vignerons as it has been disastrous to grasses and crops. In many instances the outdoor vines in the north are yielding as high as 10 tons to the acre, which means a very remunerative return to the grower. At Waerenga, during a recent visit, Mr Bragato was questioned as to the productiveness of his vines, and lie estimated that all round each vine would yield a case of choice grapes. As there are over 900 vines to an acre, the crop would give about 1000 cases to the acre, and even at half-crown a case would give a return of £100, whereas the consignments this week, as previously stated, realised as high as 7s 6d the case, and it is expected that the Black Hamburghs will realise even more, as they are a splendid crop of this popular

vari'ety, some of the bunches scaling over 31b each. Tho result's of this season promise highly for the future of this valuable industry, and go to confirm the optimistic utterances of the Government viticultural expert. A large number of new vineyards are coming into bearing, and the profitable returns secured this season are bound to encourage further planting, so that there is every prospect of an abundant supply of grapes in the future. Much of the credit for the great strides made by the industry is due to the work of the Viticultural Department, and the enthusiasm and energy which Mr Bragato has thrown into his work have done much to inspire growers with faith and confidence in the value of a properly-kept vineyard.