THE INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10126, 8 May 1896, Page 5

THE INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE.

[BT TBLEQRAPH.-.-PREBB ASSOCIATION] Wbilinuton, Thursday, Tub Intercolonial Fruit Conference resumed at 10 a.m.

The Chairman regrettod that a discussion, on the papers dealing with vine culture had not taken place. He suggested that the New Zealand delegates should arrange for discussion amongst themselves.

Mr, J. Williams (Victoria) read a paper on " profitable fruits," which dealb with the qualities best suited for the market, export, dirying, and jam-making. He stated that from an apple orchard of three acres extent frnib valued at £800 had been raised in a year. In the discussion that followed several delegates contended that the kinds suitable for one district were unsuitable for another. Mr. Gubb (Auckland) said apricots had been profitably raised in the Thames Valley, five trees yielding £37 yearly. Mr. Carpenter (Christchurch) expressed surprise that the Royal George and Glendowning species of peaches were nob more generally cultivated, tho latter being a very profitable kind. Mr. Fowler (Peaberton) was of opinion that small fruit was the most profitable kind to oultivate.

Mr. Beetham (Wairarapa) looked upon grapes as a profitable fruit both for the Cable and wine making purposes. Mr, Campbell (New Squth Wales) thought the blank Hamburg grape would be found the most suitable for cultivation in Now Zealand, especially in the Auckland district.

Mr. Maokie (Auokland) advocated pears and Japanese plums as profitable fruits for cultivation in New Znland. Tho cultivation of oranges paid well in the north. The Chairman expressed the opinion that there was a large opening for the prune industry in New Zealand. Several other delegates also spoke, In replying, Mr. Williams said in order bo dispose of surplus fruit, Victorian growers made ib into pulp, which, when boiling, was sealed down. He expressed dissatisfaction with New Zealand peaches, and did not approve of the Royal George as a profitable kind to grow. Mr. Williams was accorded a vote of thanks.

The Rev. H. Thompson, of Tasmania, contributed a paper on " Handling Fruit in Tasmania." The writer thought the best fruit Bhould be wrapped in paper, and the case should also be papered. Every additional handling depreciated the value of fruit. As to cultivation, ib was now recognised that every particular kind of tree must be trcatod on it; merit.

Mr. W. E. Schobridge (Tasmania) forwarded a paper on " Transit of fruit to Great Britain." He referred to the great loss sustained by growers by damage of fruit on board ship, pointing out that this loss represented a vory large sum in the course of the year. Great care should bo taken in picking and selecting fruit for export. In order to get apples to the London market at the most suitable time, ib was now necessary to pick apples very early in the season, in fact before they were fully grown. The writer reforred at length to the question of temperature for fruit on board steamers, and showed how loss in this conneotion could be guarded against. There should be thorough ventilation through every part of the hold, and fresh air should be circulated freely. These two papers were discussed together, tho discussion being interrupted by the luncheon adjournment. The Conference resumed at 2.30,

Mr, Fowler (Pemberton)said he had found it inadvisable to pack different varieties of apples in one oaee. Mr. Beoroft (Auckland) said the price ruling for most fruit would not admit of it being packed in paper before being sent to tho market.

Mr. Ritchie (Now Zealand Agricultural Department) suggested a brick building with hollow walls, ventilated with pipes, and covered with thatch, wood, or iron, as auibablo for the cool storago of fruit. Mr. Blaokmore (Now Zealand Govern* ment pomologist) said that by attention to certain rules apples and pears could be kept in good condition. There must bo uniform temperature of not more than f>o or 55 degrees, and there should bo porfoct stillness in the cool chamber, and absence of light and draught. Tho Chairman Baid that tho principal thing was to keep draught away, otherwise it would cause fruit to shrivel, It would always pay to bring fruit to the market in the best possible state, and he disagreed with those who contended that it would not pay to pack fruit in paper. Mr. Sisaons (Christchurch) intimated that if the Government were willing to take charge of an experimental shipment for England, the Canterbury growers would be willing to supply the fruit, Mr. Ritchie »aid, on behalf of the Minister of Agriculture, ho was almost sure tho Government would bo willing to undertake this, but when an experimental shipment had been mooted on' previous occasions, the amount of fruit offered was so small that it would not warrant shipping companies in preparing proper cool chambers for its carriage. Mr. Blaokmore said if it was intondod to make an experimental shipment, at least 2000 oases should be provided. Votes of thanks were passed to tho authors of the papors. Mr. George NeiUon, Victoria, read a paper on "Foreign Outlets for Fruit," treating the subject from tho standpoint of a Victorian oxporter, Mr. A, Lorie, Toviot, road a paper on " Co-operation in Marketing Fruit." In it ho detailed the circumstances that had led up to the formation of the Toviot and Alexandra Fruib • growers' Company (Limited), and showod how the company was now carried on. The first attempts bo consolidate the Tevlot fruit-growers had resulted in failure, but success eventually crowned the efforts of tho pioneers of the movement spite of the great difficulties that bad to be overcome.

In the discussion that followed, approval was expressed of the system adoptod in the Toviot Distriot, and Mr. Lode's abilities in organising the Company were universally praised. Northern delegates said the excellent organisation existing in Teviot was badly wanted in the North. Mr. Piper (Nelson) said tho Teviot Association was a practical illustration of what could bo accomplished by combination. Mr. Avery (Nelson) said he would be pleased to see Mr. Lone in tho Nelson District to organise fruitgrowers, Mr. Hutchings (Woodvillo) thought) the formation of companies like the Teviot Company would strike a fatal blow at the monopoly held by the Chinese in Now Zealand in the fruit and vegetable trade. Several other delegates also spoke, after which the authors received votes of thanks.

Mr. Hutton (Auckland) gave notice to move " That tho Governments of Australasia should by legislation prevent the introduction either on fruit or trees of fruit pests." Mr. Barker (Geraldine) gave notice to movo " That a ballot be taken of the 12 best varieties of applos and pears found most suitable for various districts,"

At five p.m. tho Conference adjourned till seven p.m.

The Conference resumed ab seven p.m. Mr. F. 0. Smith (Sydney) submitted a papor on "Progress of fruit drying in South Australia."' The writer stated that during tho lasfc few years the fruit-drying industry in that colony had made vast strides, and now provided a fair margin of profit, In the course of the discussion on the papor Mr. Palmer (New Zealand Government poinologisb) predicted a groat future for tho fruit industry in this colony. Mr, Williams (Victoria) said that if he could get Id per lb for his best peaches and apricot he would never go in for drying any more fruit. He also declared that the Mildura district alone could supply all the fresh fruit that was rnquired in Victoria. Mr. Becroft (Auckland) said there was practically no market for dried appless. It was better to give apples to the pigs than to dry them. Other delegates said it was evidently a ' poor outlook for New Zealand in the fruitdrying line. Mr. Pipor (Nelson) suggested there was an opening in the fruit-canning industry. Mr. Barrio (Auckland) pointed out that in Western Australia, where alraosb every brand was on the market, Auckland evaporated fruit »nd vegetables were in groat demand. A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Smith for his paper,

Mr. torfo' (Dunedjn) gave notice to move, " That in the opinion of this Conference fruit-drying is not sufficiently remunerative to warrant people settling on the land with a view to deriving a living from it." Mr. Williams (Victoria) said that the motion might as well be consigned to the waste-paper basket. Mr. Lone Raid ho wanted an expression of opinion on the subject. The Chairman said although the motion Was not a satisfactory one, ho could not title it out of order.

_ At ten p,m. the Conference adjourned Mil tena,m, next day, A deputation of Auckland fruitgrowers waited on Mr. Seddon and asked that the Government) should establish an experimental fruit farm near Auokland, The Premier sympathised with the deputation, and said the request would receive the best attention from his colleagues.