PROFITABLE GOOSE-BERRIES

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIII, Issue 3105, 24 December 1921, Page 2

PROFITABLE GOOSE--BERRIES

BIG BIN ON TREES. EFFECT OK RECENT INTERVIEW. In November la si Ihe "Standard" pule iMiod an interview with Mr J. YV. Whelan, Oovon in On hard Inspector, referitng lo an orchardisl in Greytown, who last year took eight ions of gooseberries oil' one and three-quarter acres, and disposed or this crop at tin average price ol £SO |<- ton. Incidentally Mr Whelan pointed out ai the time thai ihe Palmcrston North district was eminently suitable for the cul tare of small fruits, gooseberries in particular. In conversation with a "Standard' reporter ye.-lcrday Mf Whelan said thai i.a result] of the wide publicity given io Ihe interview there had been quite a run on gooseberry Ires throughout the Wairnrapa, and enquiries were also being received for I'm- trees from Manawatti. As an instance he staled thai a Keilding nurseryman had told him thai he had during the" ia.i two monihsM.ooked orders from Wairarnpa orchardists for practically the whole of his slock some TOCO tree-. For ibis reason he would be unable lo fill a Manawalti order for 2000 tree-. Growers were clearly becoming alive io the possibilities offered bv gooseberries. Mr Whelan'also mentioned dial the Greytown oichardisl quoted above had anolher bumper crop of gooseberries fhis season, ami although prices were not 'as high rs last season lie expected to get a very handsome return from his fruit. The same man also expected to (urn over £3OO oil' one acre of raspbetries, and this, added Mr Whelan, was a conservative estimate.