NELSON FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XXV, Issue 128, 1 June 1891, Page 2

NELSON FRUIT GROWERS' ASSOCIATION.

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The fourth annual mooting of the above Association was held at the Council Chamber on Saturday evening last. In tho absence of Dr Looking, the President, from Nelsou. Vice-President A. S. Atkinson presided. The annual report and balance sheet, whioh showed a credit balance of £6 12 lOd, was read and adopted. The whole of the officers were rebooted: Dr Looking, President; Messrs A. S. Atkinson and J. Lievaay, VicePresidents; Mr J. Piper, Seoretavy and Treasurer ) Messrs J. Petrie, S. Ellis, J. A very, W. Besloy, G, Marshall, Committee men. The following is the annual report :— In accordance with our constitution, wo present our fourth annual report. At tho last annual meeting it was resolved that the meetings of the association be held once in two months. In accordance with this resolution we have met six times, with an average attendance of nine mombers. Although we oannot boast of great things, we oan with confidence say we have kept steadily in view the objects of the association, and have endeavoured to disseminate knowledge likely to be of praotioal use to the members and fruit growers generally, and for this purpose we have been in constant communication with our consulting entomologist, Mr Allan Wight. We have great pleasure iv statiug that through his untiring efforts we have received from him a consignment of the Vedalia Oardinnlis, the parasite whioh has cleared tho orohards of California of the Icerya or mimosa blight. They have been placed in tho grouuds of President Dr Looking and Vice President Atkirißon, and if they multiply, as naturally may be expected, we have every reason to believe that ere long the loerya will be unknown in this district. If your association sucoeeds in getting the Vedalia established here, if for nothing else, your association will not have existed in vain. In accordance with one of the principles of our constitution io find markets, we endeavoured to promote a trial shipment of apples to England, and for this purpose we issued oiroulars to fruit growers to ootnbine, But unfortunately, possibly front the shortness of the orop and looal markets, the response was not euffioient to justify the enterprise and bo the matter fell through. We are still of the opinion from the best of authorities that there 8 a good market for apples in Britain, and ihat if onoe tested fruit growing will be extending industry to the profit of the individual and the distriot. We quote an extraai from a late English paper dated April 19, " The first arrival in Oovent Garden cf appleß from New Zealand have obtained suoh high prices as to create great expectation in the trade," New Zealand appleß have fetoued from 15s to 25s per ease. Our especial thanks are due to Mr Allan Wight for hiß indefatigable efforts on our behalf and the assistance he has always been ready to afford. Our best thanks are again due to tho City Ooinoil for the uaa of the Oounoil Ohamber.