WAIKOMITI ORCHARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9321, 26 March 1889, Page 6

WAIKOMITI ORCHARDS.

* Thi3 district is well known by name; some know it by the fine fruit of all kinds, that gees into the Auckland market; others, alas ! only know it by the unwelcome sound of " Waikomiti Cemetery," and being told it is a bleak and desolate place, or have read to the same effect correspondence in the Herald and Wehklt News some time back. Those peoplo quite naturally have heard enough about Waikomiti, and sure enough would go bo any place bub that to spend a holiday. Bub if more ol the Auckland people knew that a pleasant holiday could be spent at Waikomiti, and have a look round some of the orchards, t-be owners generally being pleased to show visitors round, then many would take advantage of such an opportunity. Thoso who have paid a visit to any of the orchards go again the first holiday they got in tho fruit season. Besides the orchards, visitors can have the pleasure of seeing a nice little waterfall, about 30 feet high, which is a very pretty spot and easily accessible. It is situated just below Mr. Kennerley's property. There is also nice bush scenery a little further back.

MESSRS. PARR AND SON'S ORCHARD. The largest orchard in the district is that of Messrs. E. Parr and Sons, about one mile and a-half from the station, and consists &■ about 10 acres. Here are some tremendous pear and apple trees of nearly 30 years of age, bearing each year heavy crops. Trees planted 25 feet apart are now meeting across the rows. This will convince anyone that trees should be planted 25 bo 30 feeb apart, and those about to plant will benefit by doing so, as it will save cutting down one-half in about 20 years after planting, if the trees grow as they should. Some plum trees are a good age, and looking ?ery healthy, and bearing good crops of each kind of plum, Messrs. Parr and Sons having many kinds now in full bearing. They have a great variety of fruit trees, almost the largest in the colony, and sending young troe3 to all parts of New Zealand. They have also a great variety of gooseberries, whioh do exceedingly well with them, many Aucklanders will remember seeing their collection on show in Queen-street. The orchard is situated by the side of a strong creek, and the soil is of very good quality. It is well sheltered by tall-growing trees of several varieties, planted by them at different times. Last year Messrs. Parr and Sons started the manufacture of cider, having purchased a large press, and all requisites for tho proper working of their new enterprise, and in which all fruitgrowers should wish them success.

MB. H. E. SHARP'S ORCHARD Is situated about half a mile further up the same coeek, and is in two parts. There is about an acre of very large trees, nearly 30 years old, which boar each year good crops of fruit. The younger orchard, of about three acres, is now in full bearing, and some trees have to be propped up to prevent breaking down. He has nearly all kinds of apples and plums in bearing, or just coming on to fruit. Mr. Sharp attends more to the nursery business, and, having a great variety of trees, equal to any in the colony, sends them to all parts of New Zealand. From tho orchard is constructed a small tramway which Mr. Sharp uses to bring up his fruit, etc., and for other purposes, and is a very useful contrivance. I have refrained from mentioning names of fruit trees, a3 each have growing all the best varieties.

MESSRS. COCHRANE AND 80N'S ORCHARD. Messrs. Cochrane and Son have an orchard of about seven acres, which lies about a mile and a-half further toward the ranges on the left. The orchard is well sheltered by hills and tall pinua insignis, with the ranges only a short distance away. It is naturally a well-sheltered spot, and is a most suitable place for an orchard, as the trees themselves prove. The soil is also most suitable for fruit trees. They are under ten yeara planted, but with good attention and a moderate supply of manure the trees havo attained a great size for the time they have been planted, and the immense crop 3 of both apples and plums are wonderful. Their plum trees are each year bearing down to tho ground with monster plums of the Pond's seedling variety, some attaining soz weight each. This special variety is their favourite. They have a great quantity of trees planted oub and in full bearing. MR. G. HEMSLEY'S ORCHARD

Is of about five acres in extent, and is in two parts. About three acres are joining Messrs. Cochrane and Son, and have plenty of natural shelter. This orchard is young, but by the crops on some trees about six years old, and the splendid growth the young trees are making, it bids fair to grow into an excellent orchard. The older orchard has treo3 nearly 20 years old, which have had heavy crops on. Some plum trees have a large quantity of fruit on this year, several varieties being planted in this orchard. Mr. Hemsley informs me ho has not found a single codlin moth in his two acre orchard round his house this season, where last year almost every tree had a quantity of infected apples. The romedy is simple, and what every one possessed of an orchard infected with the codlin moth should try, and that is to run a quantity of fowls among the trees the whole year round. A . henhouse could easily and cheaply bo built among the apple trees. The few apples the hens would destroy when hanging low, would bo no loss compared with the damage the codlin moth would do, and the apples eaten thus would benefit the fowls. Infected apples that fall would be eaten, grubs as well, and if the grub crawled out of the apple to ascend the tree again, or to find a hiding place, tho hens wouldn't let him. This seems to be a cheap and effective way of getting: rid of this pest, and if it has ! succeeded with Mr. Hemsley so completely as he says, those possessing an orchard infected should not lose time in trying it. Besides destroying the codlin moth and other pests, there is a good profit derived from the eggs, and hens kept in this manner will lay far better than when kept round one's house, or in a small yard, as is often he case. They will also benefit the trees by their droppings, and if the manure is carefully collected when the houses are cleaned out, and thrown around the fruit trees, it will save annually the purchasing of a few sacks, at least, of bonedust or other fertiliser. The view from Mr. Hemsley's verandah iis really magnificent. It takes in Auckland and suburbs, One-tree Hill, Mounts Eden and Albert, Kangitoto, the whole of the Waitemata harbour up to Hobsonvillo, and the ranges for miles beyond ; also out to the Coromandel Ranges, Tiritiri and the Great Barrier can be seen rising above Birkenhead and the ranges beyond. MR. CARTEB'3 ORCHARD Is about five acres, and is of different ages, the oldest trees are now ten years old, and bearing considerable crops of fruit. Some damson trees are just black with the largo quantities of plums—Mr. Carter has to prop up nearly every branch of the tree. Other trees are bearing equally well— several trees having their branches laying on the ground. His young orchard is not sufficiently well protected from the westerly winds. Fruit trees in New Zealand must be well sheltered from the time of planting, or they will be nipped and dwarfed by the cold wind. MR. TARKER'S ORCHARD. Mr. Parker has nearly four acres of fruit trees in two parts. A few old trees have had vtry good crops of fruit on for several years. His young orchard is looking healthy. Mr. Parker's new house is built on the side of a hill, and commands a view of nearly the whole of his land. Many would, no doubt, like to bo able to ee© over all their land from their front door. MR. KENNEBLKY'S ORCHARD. Mr. Kennerley has about two acres- of well grown young trees, tho greater part being composed of apples. It has only been planted four years, and is bearing exceedingly well. Mr. Kennorley now intends to plant out more young trees. MR. KELLY'S orchard. Mr. Kelly has about two and a-half acres in orchard, some trees 30 years old, and bearing annually good crops of all kinds. Some younger trees are just coming into bearing. The orchard is situated alongside a creek, and stands in the place where some years ago Mr. Kelly had a sawmill. It is well sheltered, and' the soil of excellent quality. CAPTAIN THEBT'S ORCHARD Lies a little further up the Wesb Coast Road, and comprises about two acres just coming into bearing. Some of the oldest trees aro now bearing well. His orchard lies close to the ranges and standing bush, which gives plenty of shelter bo tho fruittrees.

yOUNG ORCHARDS. There aye also a few young orchards in the district) looking very healthy, and promise well, among them being those of Messrs. Levy, Summers, Bosomworth, Davison, Seagreen, and a few others. Mr. Levy's orchard and nursery is looking remarkakly well for the short time plantedHe grows a great variety of all kinds of fruit-trees, evergreens, and flowers for sale. , STRAWBERRIES, ORANGES, ETC. Strawberries are planted in a great many of the above orchards, a large quantity going into the Auckland market this year. The soil seems to suit the growth of this favourite fruit. Oranges and lemons are also planted and doing remarkably well in some of the above orchards, and. oughb to be more of a favourite among the fraitgrowers as they pay well when the trees have been bearing a few years. Several new settlers have lately taken up land and built houses in the district, and intend to plant orchards, the land in some instances being ploughed ready for the reception of the trees. Some of the older settlers have also built larger residences lately, which adds to the improvement of the district, and is a good sign of returning prosperity. THE FUTURE OF WAIKOMITI. Waikomiti will in a few years become a well known place if it increases at the rate it has done daring the "great depression," some eight or ten new houses having been built by new settlers during the last three years. The houses of the caretakers of the cemetery help to make a great improvement round the station. The land on each side of the railway station has also been fenced and planted with blue gums and other trees of the eucalyptus tribe, which are now making good headway. This was a great improvement as the land was all covered with scrub. With all tho large number of settlers here there is not a store in the district, the nearest being Avondale, and I am sure there is a good opening for any enterprising man. There is yet plenty of cheap land in the district which could be made into good and profitable farms and orchards. It is situated so near the Auckland market that even with a small price for the fruit, as has been the case this year, a good income can be depended on when an orchard is in full bearing. Fruitgrowers being able to deliver their fruit in Auckland themselves have the advantage of settlers further away, and do not need to send a cheque as well as their fruit to the auctioneer before they are clear of all expenses, as some unfortunates have been obliged to do this year.— Correspondent.]