NORTHERN WAIROA ORCHARDS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 14929, 29 February 1912, Page 10

NORTHERN WAIROA ORCHARDS.

A SUCCESSFUL SEASON. [FROM Oirß OWN CORRESPONDENT.] Oik harpists have every reason to be satisfied -with this season's crops. Plums are exceptionally plentiful, and a new peach era seems to have set in. The apple crop is large, and as the . codlin moth is now held in check the fruit bears a nice, clean appearance. With the- largo community in this district engaged in the timber industry and other commercial pursuits, there is a wide market, and several thousands of consumers have to be catered for- Fruitgrowers are therefore carrying on operations with more vim," and in place of a disorganised ; trade, close attention is being shown to culture in all it 3 branches. Citrus fruits, which do remarkably well in this climate, have, however, received small recognition from growers, and there is a large open field for their cultivation. Local growers have to compete against the Port Albert output, importations from which are heavy, as water carriage is cheap, and wholesale consignments are disposed of regularly., Tomatoes have yielded a heavy crop, and their cultivation has given returns tar exceeding those anticipated. 'JLhe soil appears to be peculiarly adapted for their, culture, And they are now being widely grown at a good profit. Some orchaidists have tins year given orders for some thousands ot young peach trees, which in old plantations spring up in myriads. Others are planting the stones with, varied success. Last year considerable quantities of "trees were grown by the stones at this period being simply _ thrown over loose, friable soil. It is said that better returns are secured in this manner than by stone planting, ami the method has at least the benefit of 'being simple and devoid of labour. The display of fruit at tho Northern "Wairoa A. and P. Association's nineteenth annual show was in itself an exhibition worthy of spocial notice. Finer peaches it would be difficult to secure, and Arapohue settlors were warmly congratulated by experts on the success of their labours. Apples wero .'shown in large numbers, all of tho principal classes being represented. Pears and plums of superior growth also attracted general comment, and the entries showed that _as a fruit-growing district Northern Wairoa can hold its own. Another attempt is being made to secure ;i concerted movement amongst growers to establish a central cold storage depot, by which means all fruit could be safelv housed an.l marketed according to the requirements <•'• the public. Outdoor grapes are 'showing good vield- ;•..'>. and considering how well they niatuio in this warm zone, it is difficult to learn why their growth 15 not more general. In some localities they grow wild, and with little care would prove a, good investment, as 1 here is always an unsatisfied market for the luscious fruit, which some growers sell on 1 heir land for 3d per lb. Hothouse grapes have fruited excellently, and are now being retailed in large quantities. The strawberry season has not yet flushed, and fine fruit, particularly of the Margaret variety, is being vended. Orders have been placed for many thousands of plants' of this year's setting-