FRUITGROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1260, 23 April 1896, Page 29

FRUITGROWERS’ CONFERENCE.

In view of the approaching Fruitgrowers’ Conference, which is to open here on May 4th, the Agricultural Department liavo secured the Drillshod, where the meetings of the Conference will be held. An exhibition of fruit is also to bo held, ami, notwithstanding tho lateness of the season, a good show is expected.

Many of the delegates from flic Australian colonies are already on their way, some of them coming via Auckland. In addition to tho subjects for discussion which have already been published, permission has been given to the New South Wales delegates to read a paper on tho subject of vinegrowing. It is expected that t his paper, and t he paper by the South Australian delegates on the wine industry, will raise a discussion oil tho whole subject, and more especially respecting the importation of vines, which at pieeent is prohibited in order to guard against tho further introduction of phylloxera. Since the publication of Signer Bragato’s pamphlet on the advantages possessed by this Colony for grape culture, fruitgrowers have manifested considerable activity in tho matter. They have, turnover, been hampered by the prohibition "1 the importation of fresh stock. It is suggested, as a means to overcome this difficulty, that all plants imported should iaspectod and fumigated, if necessary, by the Agricultural Department. The department is also asking those interested in the matter to forward suggestions. The Vincent County Horticultural Society has appointed Mr R. S. Gilkison, of Clyde, as its delegate to the Fruit Conference.

The Teviot and Alexandra fruit growers have selected Messrs Manuel, Tamblyn, Campbell and Bennett.