NELSON'S FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLII, Issue XLII, 24 April 1907, Page 2

NELSON'S FRUIT INDUSTRY.

THE FRUIT FLY*

MOTUEKA APPLES FOR THE ENGLISH MARKET. A consignment of 400 cases of apples was forwarded from Motueka yesterday, and will be placed on board the Athenic at Wellington for conveyance to London. This is the first shipment of Nelson apples to the Old Country, and the result of the initial adventure will be watched with great interest. The variety sent is Five Crown Pippin, and the apples are a good sample. The shipment bears the Government brand, indicating that the packing, etc., is satisfactory. It is understood that the Government will guarantee ld a lb clear to the growers who are sending the fruit. this was done on a former occasion with a 1 , • ... r *u„,. nai-f nf f.np col-

snipmem irom anumci yaiu «* — --- ony, and though that shipment was not? as successful as it might have been the prices realised in the English market were sufficient to return Id a lb to the growers without the Government being called upon to contribute. For the present shipment also it is sincerely to be hoped satisfactory prices will be secured, SO that the growers may be e.,--couraged to send forward larger quantities next season. ... * The initial shipment it is learnt is being made by members of the Settlers Association in the Motueka and surrounding districts. It may be stated that the apples will go aa ordinary cargo in the Athemc, but they are to be placed in a cool part ot the steamer's hold, and it is anticipated will arrive in England in good order. When the export has reached larger ,, dimension's it will be possible to secure cool chambers in the steamers, but the minimum number of eases for a chamber is 2500, and of course it would never have paid the Motueka growers ; to have engaged a whole chamber for 4UU cases. This accounts for the fruit being sent as ordinary cargo.

\nv feav that nuiy have been enter- , taineil that the fruit-fly had made its appearance in Nelson may apparently be dispersed. . It will be remembered that a week or two ago a country resident forwarded to this office spec.meiu of a fly that had not hitherto been observed. The specimens were handed to officers of the Agricultural Depaitment, and as no report has been receded that the fly forwarded was the fnntflv it may be safely concluded that the dreaded pest has. not yet located itself in this district. A very strict watch has been kept over the Nelson distnct in view of its importance as a fruitirrowin-' centre, but growers are doing the right thing in at once reporting anythin" suspicious. The fly having been discovered in the neighbouring province of Marlborough it was only natural that Nelson fruitgrowers should have become alarmed; but they may now be satisfied with the assurance that so tar at least this district is free from the pest.