THE FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1262, 7 May 1896, Page 19

THE FRUITGROWERS' CONFERENCE.

The Intercolonial Conference of Fruitgrowers commenced its sittings in Bellamy's, Parliament Buildings, on Monday afternoon. The following delegates were present : Queensland—Messrs F. M. Bailey, Department of Agriculture ; A. Wagner, Mudgoo Fruitgrowers' Association ; Br Lanteror, Acclimatisation Society ; Mr L. G. Conic. Fruit and Economic Plant-growers' Association. New South Wales—Mr W. T. Campbell, Department of Agriculture. Victoria—Messrs Neilson, Department of Agriculture; James Williams, Numurkah Fruit Association ; 11. J. Afarlleet. Varrawalla Fruit Association. New Zealand Messrs P. Taylor, F. Sissons, S. B. Wilson, C. O. Brooks, W. Gimblett, W. P. Mitchell, W. A. Carpenter, A. Ayers and J. Clark, Canterbury; L. F. Becroft, Port Albert; G. Howden, Dune-

din ; L. T. Harney, Timaru; W. Izard audi:. \V. Dorset, Wairarapa ; J. Lennie,

Southland ; W. If. Beetham, Mastcrton ; L. Hanlon, Whangarei; .1. Piper, Nelson; J. Taylor, H. L. Palmer, L. Drayer aud S. Hatchings, Woodville ; Major - General Schaw and G. B. Hutton, Otahuhu ; E. Butcher, Timaru : J. 11. Cooper, Kaikonra ; A. Birch, J. Bennetts, M. Campbell, A. Lorie, M. E. Maurice, and J. Tamblvn, Teviot ; D. Adam-, Pahiatua ; Geo. Brownie,; and J. Allan, Waitaki ; W. P. Mitchell and W. Thompson, Biikenhead; J. C. Fowler, Pomborton; J. Avery, Spring Grove; 1. G. Carrie and P. C. Thompson, Rodney; W.Wheelband, Peel Forest; R. S. Gilkisoii, Vincent Countv ; Ed. Morrison, Mahurangij A. Karl, Waikato; W. Ryley, Taranak'i; W. 11. Rule and W. W. Smith, .Ashburton ; D. Iv. Williamson, Pat. a; 11. S. Brabant, Tauramra; W. Gillespie, Blenheim; J. C. Barford and 11. 11. Alollor, Nelson; J. Hal well, Temuka; W. E. Barter, Goraldine; Onflow and Captain Collins, Wiuuranui. Messrs J. D. Ritchie, ,|. I). Bln.ckmore, W. .1. Palmer, 11. Mayo aud T. W. Kirk represented the New Zealand Agricultural Department. Mr O. Callis, of tin' Wellington Horticultural

and Florists' Society, is secretary to tin Conference.

The arrival of the Premier was the signal for applause. 'The Hon It. J. Soddon said it was his first and pleasing duty to welcome the delegates on behalf of the Colony of New Zealand. It was a gathering of men having a specific knowledge of this very important subject which they had come together to discuss, and he had no doubt the Conference would be product-ivo of much good. He, hoped, the gentlemen present from the other colonies would find their visit pleasant, as well as profitable. Visitors to the other colonies from Now Zealand had, when they came bad:, told

the people here how little they were doing in respect to this great industry-—an industry which, in his opinion, had not: been boon valued, either here or in the other colonies, to the extent if ought to have been. There were great possibilities

before it, and they bad much to learn about it in New Zealand. There were imported into New Zealand during LS9S, from all countries, bottled and preserved fruit (dutiable) valued at £l-11)7; dried fruit from t'oo Australian colonies and other countries (dutiable) valued at .£.8050 ; fresh

fruit (dutiable) valued at JJ21,537, from the United Kingdom, Fiji, ttaly iuul the Australian colonies, Ac ; fresh fruit from various countries (free) valued at .£55,50(> ; fruit presetved

by sulphurous acid, from Tasmania (dutiable), valued at ..'JIT:!, or a total of £1)3,1-17. The land under orchard in Now Zealand amounted to 10,032 acres. The area

under private and market gardens (anything loss than half an acre not noted), 17,701" acres. So far as this great industry was concerned,l hey had only made a beginning

here. They had in New Zealand many dillicullies In contend with, which were imt encounter! d to so great an extent in the other c 'lonies. This arose, specially li'oiu the configuration of the Colony. The fruitgi'Oivers suffered from this, but tin: Government were assisting them by carryill" ca-es of fruit weighing 50lbs for (3d,

irrespective of distance. They had in other words, as far as the Cirriage of fruit was concerned, adopted the zone system. When he considered the importation of diied fruits, he found that Now Zealand lagged behind, and it was in this direction they mu-f hope t , lo .1; for improvement.. No doubt the deliberations of the Conference wool I coiisiberably assi.-I in this direction. Again he heartily coii..■imDilated the C mference on the large attendance of delegates, and extended a welcome io limao from the other colonies.

,\iY Campbell (New South Wales), in acknowledging tie: kindness and courtesy oxlendod to iiim by the New Zealand Agricultural Department, said lie was very much surprised with the backward slate in which fruit culture was in this Colony, especially cold climate fruits. They wero making strong efforts in Ins department to encourage farmers to grow fruit. He again thanked the Premier for the kind welcome tendered the delegates and for the courtesy of the Agricultural Department. Mr 'Williams (Victoria) and Mr T. Bailey (Queensland) also thanked tho Government for the welcome extended to the Australasian delegates.

The Premier, in replying, said that the delegates who had spoken had evidently grasped tho situation in this Colony with regard to fruit culture, notwithstanding the short time they wen; here. He hoped the result of their visit would result in helping to remove the reproach in respect to tho progress made in the fruit industry. Ho waspleased to hear that the Agricultural Department of New South Wales was engaged in making experiments, which ho hoped would be for the benefit of this and the other colonies. He regretted the absence of the Minister of Agriculture, who was detained elsewhere, and had desired

him to express his regret at not being able to be present. Mr li. G. Corrie (Queensland) was appointed chairman. ft was decided, after some discussion, that each colony should have three votes on intercolonial questions. It was decided that the judges of fruit should be selected from the visitors, and Messrs Neilson (Victoria), Campbell (New South Wales) and Corrie (Queensland) were appointed judges of fresh fruit, and Messrs Williams (Victoria), Bailey (Queensland) and Marfleet (Victoria) were appointed judges of dried fruit. It was decided to leave the selection of tho judges for wines to the visitors. The same course was adopted with reference to the judging of horticultural appliances. On resuming after the afternoon ad-

journment, a paper on" fruit Culture in Tasmania," by Mr F. W. J. Moore, was road by the chairman. Tie' writer said that Tasmania was particularly well suited for fruit growing, but tin! industry tlmre would never bo what it ought to be until tho growers resetted to combination, ami worked economically. They were ahead of America in jam-making, but behind in tinning. The writer suggested that one of the things the Conference mie-ht discuss was the question of uniform

Mr Campbell (New South Wales) said that Tasmania was undoubtedly the pioneer of the fruit trade. M r Lorie ( Dunedin) said great damage had been done to fruit by using old cases, which were a means of bringing codlin moths to many a clean district, Tho only way to eopo with the eodlin moth was to pass a, law compelling people to keep finer orchards clean. He considered, the following as f'he best varieties for this Colony : Stone pippin, Stunner pippin, New Vork pippin, French crab and Scarlet Pe-uanain. Mr Grapes (Wellington) thought that Cox's orange pippin ami Jonathan were very suitable apples for export. Air Palmer (Government Pomologist) thought they could grow finer apples in New Zealand than in any part of the world.

Air Carpenter (Christchurch) said more attention should lie paid to keeping the temperature evoncr in the cool chambers on hoaid steamers than at present. After fttrthei discussion, a vote of thanks was passed to the writer of the 1):l! ""'- «r> i l The next paper was on Orchard Cultivation," by Air A. E. Benson, New South Wales, read by Air Callis. The writer laid special weight on fin! necessity of the thorough cultivation of Cm' orchard. Messrs Gimblett (Christchurch), Moller (Nelson), Bennett s (Teviot), .Morrison (Alahuranga), W. 11. Beetham (.Masterton), Sisson (Canterbury), Booker (Geraldme), Tamblyn (Teviot), Avery (Spring

Grove) and others spol; i the paper, tie majority agreeing with the opinions of tin writer.

A vote of thank; was passed to the writer, alter which the meeting adjourned until 2.o'> p.m. next day.

The Intercolonial Conference of Fruitgrowers resumed its silling on Tuesday afternoon in Bellamy's; -Mr L- ( i. Corrie (Queensland) in the chair. Tic first paper taken was one on "Cultivation, Commercially, of the Banana, Pineapple, and other Sub-tropical Fruits," by Mr W. Soiittor (Queensland), and read l.'v Mr A. Wagnei (Queensland). ' |),- l.aiiierer (Queensland) read a paper on - Pineapple Disease." ,\ discussion ensued on the papers, m which Messrs B. M. Bailey, F.L.S. (Queens- !:,.„!,, |;. 11. Moller (Nelson), ■). Piper (Nelson), J. Mackie (Auckland), A. Wagner (l lueonslaad), the chairman ami others took part, ami votes .if thanks were accorded to tin writers of the papers. .Mr W. S. Campbell (New South Wales) ~.;,,! a paper on " Fruit Production and Consumption," contributed by .Mr E. Blix (Queensland). The paper dealt largely with the quantities of fruit grown and imported into the colonies. The producer, the writer considered, should get more in touch with the consumer, ami pay more attention to (he packing of his fruit. Reference was made to the neglect of many fruit-growers to plant only good varieties of Hint trees. The writer suggested that tin: Conference should adopt a uniform standard for fruit cases. Stress was also laid on the necessity of providing better handling on the railways and quicker transit, as fruit was very often considerably damaged during the time it was on its way to the market. Co-operation among frmtrrrowers was advocated, as it would tend to prevent markets being glutted. Air Fowler (Pemberton) pointed out that in this Colony fruit was often carelessly handled by the railway employees. Air A. Lorie (Teviot) said his Association had never made any representation to the railway authorities that was not attended to.

Air Williams (Victoria) said that the failure of the settlement at Alildura was duo in a measure to the bad stock of fruit trees. Air Ayers (Christchurch) agreed with other speakers that there was a great deal of carelessness shown in the handling of fruit whilst it was coming to market. Tho middleman was often blamed for the bad state in which fruit came to market, when it was really the fault of those wdio packed it, or handled it in transit. He denied that the middleman was a gainer by having the market glutted. IL<> believed that tho fruit industry was likely to assume largo proportions in this Colony. Air Bennetts (Teviot) thought some steps should be taken to obtain better and more careful treatment of fruit on hoard vessels. Air Gimblett (Christchurch) said that a quantity of fruit was often injured by j careless treatment on board vessels.

Air Piper (Nelson) said fruit grading was neglected here. He advocated tho establishment of wholesale markets, where the sellers ami consumers would meet. He believed in co-operation among the fruitgrowers. Messrs Adams (Pahiatua), W. 11. Beetham (Masterlou), Taylor (Woodville), Avery (SpringGrove)and Harney (Timaru) also spoke. A vote of thanks was accorded to tho writer of the paper. All .1. Mayo (Government Pomologist) read a paper on " Fruit-tree slocks, propogation, grafting and budding ; with remarks on the relation of scion to slock."

A paper on a similar subject, contributed by Mr .lames Gibbic, curator of the Public Gardens, Oamaru, was read by Air George Brownlee, Waitaki. Air W. E. Barker (Goraldine) thought it undesirable to use hawthorn stocks for grafting on. Air Gimblett complimented Mr Alayo on the excellence of his paper, which was up to date. He considered the best stock to graft the peach on was its own. Air Bennett said there was no other stock which gave such vigour to apricot trees as the mussel plum. Air Hutching (Woodville) said ho would like to hear the experience of some of tho delegates in regard to growing pears on quince stocks. He knew of pears being grafted on their own stock not bearing, whilst those in the same locality growing on quince stocks did well. Air Crapes (Wellington) informed tho Conference that lie had been very successful in growing pears by double grafting. Air Birch (Teviot) said In- applied salt to tho ground around some pear trees that, were not bearing, with the result that they boii! tin! following season.

Messrs G. Brownlee, Hutton, Manuel,. Carpenter, Campbell, Fowler, Taylor and A very also fool; part in the discussion. Air Mayo, in replying, said he did not approve of importing peach stones from other countries, as it may lead to the introduction C'f disease. ' Salt, and limo were very good things to use in the orchard. Votes of thanks were tendered tho writers of the papers.

A paper on " Fruit Culture, at Teviot, Otago," was read by Air M. 10, Manuel, who dealt with the history of fruit culture in Teviot, and said, that the apple trees having been attacked with blight, the orehardists were, compelled to confine themselves mainly to the cultivation of stone fruit. The greatest drawback they had to contend against was the want of railway communication. The venture had boon attended with a considerable amount of success. They were now able to send away about 100 tons of fruit per annum, a great deal of which had to be picked very green, otherwise it would not stand the can iago on the roads.

Messrs Piper, Gillespie, Mnrfloot, Gilkison, Smith, liule and Gimblett discussed the paper, and Mr Manuol received a vote of thanks.

Tho Conference adjourned at 10.15 p.m. until 7 p.m. next day. Air Adams (Pahiatua) is to move," That the Conference should recommend a standard size for fruit cases." Air Lorie (Teviot) will move, "That the cleansing of orchards be compulsory by law."

Twenty-six estates of deceased persons were placed in the hands of the Public Trustee last month. The largest amounts were as follow:—John Oscar Alanley, Hawora, ,£1)00 ; William Henry Hill, St. Albans, £?,'& ; Samuel Dixon, Oregon, United States of America, .£350 ; James Jefferies Oswald, Akitio, .£330; George Clements, Nelson, -C300; John Newton, Palmerston North, .£273, W. H. Ingrain, Fra-ertov.n, £2iiJ; James Milne, Temuka, .8:435; John Teew/ird, Brmmcrtoii, i;21« ; John Wothorspoon, West port, .£l5B. The Cricket Association will offer no objection to the Wellington Football Club using the eastern portion of the Basin llesorvo for their annual sports on the lGdr May, provided the weather is line.