THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1200, 1 March 1895, Page 8

THE ORCHARD.

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY AND STATE ENCOURAGEMENT. TO THE EDITOR. Sib, —It is to be hoped the Government will see fit to send one or more of our fruit experts to represent New Zealand at the forthcoming- conference of fruit-growers to be held shortly at Hobart. The expenses would be a mere trifle compared with the liberal assistance of other colonies in the development of this most important industry. We have much to learn as to the best and most profitable kinds of fruit to cultivate, its treatment, the latest approved methods of drying, preserving, packing and sending to market in the best condition and most attractive form. .As men already possessed of very considerable experience and training in this branch of industry our experts cannot fail to pick up information of a most valuable nature. Were they allowed, too, to have a free hand to visit the great fruit-growing centres of Australia, no doubt they would gain many practical ideas from the object lessons they would have an opportunity of witnessing. Viticulture pro- ' mises to become an important branch of industry in this and other portions of the Colony, but vignerons have but a very limited choice of vines suitable for producing the higher classes of wines. When touching on this subject I would ask why should there not bs established small experimental nurseries under the control of our experts, where new kinds of vines might be propogated without risk of disease spreading—a kind of quarantine ground—where also many tests could be made as to the kinds of fruits and trees best suited to our soil and climate, and where object lessons conld be made available to all who felt an interest in this kind of work?—l am, &c, , R.W.H. Napier> February 18th, 1895.

PKOSPECTS OF VINE-GROWING IN CENTRAL OTAGO. Clyde, February 26. Mr Brogato, Victorian Viticulturist, accompanied by Mr Blacknure, Government Pomologist, is now visiting this portion of Central Otago. He is very much impressed with the suitability of this district as regards climatic conditions and soil for the purpose of cultivating the vine extensively for the manufacture of wine and brandy of the best quality. He is sure that the district is capable of supporting a large population if these industries are gone into in a systematic manner. His report may be looked forward to with considerable interest, and may be certain to open the eyes of the New Zealand public to the importance of Central Otago for the production of wine and fruit.