THE RECENT FRUIT CONFERENCE.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1264, 21 May 1896, Page 4

THE RECENT FRUIT CONFERENCE.

111 view of tho fact that this Colony is likely to become a very largo fruit-produc-ing country in tho immediate future, and that its climate and soil are especially suited for tho production of all fruit grown in tho temperate climes of Europe, the Intercolonial Fruitgrowers’ Conference—which brought its deliberations to a close on Monday week—must bo considered ono of tho most important meetings that has taken place in New Zealand for somo time. The Government and tho Department of Agriculture deserve tho best thanks of the Colony for their liberality in bringing tho delegates to Die Conference together, and also for tho encouragement which they havo generally extended to tho fruit industry. The, delegates from Australia, as well as thoso from this Colony, fully recognised tho assistance rendered the Government, and took occasion! to give expression to their feelings at tho close of tho Conference. Tho Conference was remarkable for tho diversity of opinion which marked tho discussions on matters of vital interest to tho fruit industry, hut it was also noted for tho good temper, moderation and sound common sense of tho speakers, who agreed to differ. The Conference was fortunate in its choice of a chairman, Mr L. G. Corrio, of Queensland who displayed ability and tact in tho management of tho meeting. Had a less capable chairman been appointed, wanting in firmness and impartiality, confusion might have resulted, and the delegates, instead of leaving Wellington with pleasing recollections and broadened viows on the subjects dealt with, might have gone

to their homes with embittered feelings against their fellow delegates and very little benefit to themselves. In a sense it was a parliament of those interested in tho fruit industry of the Australasian colonies. It was more representative than most parliaments aro, for it was composed of men of practical experience in fruit culture; men of scientific attainments who had studied the subject from various standpoints; men who knew but little of tho practical side of the industry, but who were well qualified to give valuable information regarding tho grading and marketing of fruit; and men who had made a life-long study of the habits of thoso insect pests and fungi which are the bane of orchardists. It was only natural to expect that good would result from the deliberations of such anhassembly, from the interchange of ideas, from tho comparing of notes by men of various walks in life, but all intent on the same object—the development and perfecting of fruit-growing. There were different interests represented, for the producers and tho"pnrchasers had their delegates, but it was pleasing to noto tho harmony and good souse which characterised the proceedings. The discussions

which took place on the papers read showed that the delegates held diverse views on many important questions. Perhaps this divergence of ©pinion was more apparent regarding the adoption of a standard fruit case for intercolonial use, and the value of spraying with certain mixtures as a means of counteracting the ravages of the codlin moth and other pests, than on any other subject discussed. Still, these were considered and debated with a moderation that reflected much credit on the delegates, and showed that they were present not so much for the purpose of advocating any particular fad rather than for getting information, and assimilating their views. It was apparent from the conflict of opinion which was noticeable even among the New Zealand delegates, that the case question will be a source of considerable trouble in the future, and that it can only bo settled by legislation. This will not arise so much from the merits of any particular size, but rather from the predilections of local growers. Still it is a matter which will have to bo settled some day, and we can see no more hardship in compelling fruitgrowers to use a standard case, for this Colony at least, than there is in making exporters of dairy produce comply with certain regulations regarding the size of butter boxes. Tho difference of opinion which exists at present seems to be moro a matter of sentimentthan anything more serious, and if a majority of [fruitgrowers decide after practical experienco that a certain size is the most suitable for tho

requirements of tho trade, then wo believe tho Legislature will endorse their[opiniom and make it compulsory. It would be desirable, however, in view of the probability of tho Colony becoming an exporter oi fruit to tho Homo markets, that the requirements of tho trade thero should be takon into consideration as well as the customs prevailing in other colonies. Competition is becoming too keen nowadays to permit the practice of oldfashioned methods, and if tho fruitgrowers of this Colony desire to make tho industry a ['profitable and successful ono they must keep abreast of tho times. Slipshod methods that prevailed a quarter of a century ago will not do to-day, and it will not alono suffice for a producer to send a good articlo to market, but lie must send it in the most attractive and suitable form. Then by all means lot us have a standard size of case for tho Colony at least, let it bo of whatever dimensions it may, and call it Californian, Auckland or Nelson as you will, but let there bo uniformity. At the same time let the days of using old cases bo uumberedpvith the past, for tho use of these is not only false economy, but it is a most fruitful source of propagating insect pests. Another question of local interest was that of tho best means of coping with insect pests and fungi. Hero, again, there was a conflict of opinion, which showed that drastic legislative [measures will have to bo resorted to if it is desired to rid the orchards of these destructive posts, or at least abate their [ravages. If we are to place reliance on tho expressions of opinion by many of the delegates,[whatjhas proved most efficacious in one district lias been of little avail in another. Mr Blackmore, the Government pomologist for the South Island, stated that lie had never found, or at least rarely, a mixture recommended by him to fail in reducing tho codlin moth in the South',when tho directions were faithfully carried out. Delegates from other parts of tho Colony had found that his treatment was valueless, or it was so in their case. Tho value of spraying wifli a solution of Paris green was also mentioned as being an excellent preventive of the ravages of tho moth and other insects, but here again a note of warning was raised, as it was pointed out that the continued use of this mixture was detrimental to tho roots of the trees through the ground becoming saturated with the deposit. When tho full discussion on this question has been published, tho Department of Agriculture will bo in a position to judge, by comparison, of tho merits of the various remedies tried, and then enforce tho cleansing of orchards, provided power is given by tho Legislature, in the same way that flock owners are compelled to dip their sheep. Thero are always numbers of people in the community who require no compulsion to do their duty, but thero aro others who will only act when the strong arm of tho law interferes. It is impossible to expect that tho orchards of this Colony will ceaso to bo infected with tho codlin moth or other pests until the use of old cases is rigidly prohibited, a more stringent inspection of imported fruit is made, and a universal system of spraying with one or other of the recognised mixtures is made compulsory by law. As matters stand at | present a neglected and infected or- j chard in ono locality becomes a hatching ground for pests, and neutralises tho efforts of every careful fruitgrower in tho district. The Department have rendered valuable assistance in educating the orchardists of New Zealand in regard to the nature and habits of the pests, but until this education is put into practice by legal measures the

efforts of the Government will not be crowned with success which it deserves. On the nature and value of the papers contributed we do [not propose to enter, for many of these, especially those written by experts in the other colonies, were not of absorbing interest to the fruitgrowers of New Zealand. We will have to leave a monopoly of the growing of the pineapple, banana and mango to tho people of Queensland, and where opinions were expressed or advice given as to the method of cultivating, or the most suitable kind of fruits for a temperate climate like ours, by writers from Victoria or New South Wales, they were received with a good deal of caution, as to conditions were altogether different to those which even prevail here. It was apparent that in this Colony a system which would suit Otago would lie impracticable north of Auckland, and the variety of tree that would succeed in Canterbury would he a failure in another district. Still no harm can result from a study of those contributions to the literature of fruit culture. Some interesting papers were contributed by the New Zealand delegates, and a perusal of these, with the discussion which followed, will prove of much profit not alone to those who are engaged in the industry, but more especially to those about to take it up. A false start in any business takes years to repair the mischief, and this is more especially tho case in fruit-growing, for after having waited for a time to have the trees bear, it is most disheartening to find they are of tho wrong variety, and then it becomes necessary to begin again from this view. By a perusal of the discussion a good idea of the most suitable of trees can he obtained, also of

the best situation and locality for tho cultivation of the various kinds of fruit, Grape - vino culture in this Colony was also dealt with, hut the discussion which followed tho reading of the papers, did not throw as much light on the subject as it deserved, as there can be little doubt that this is a branch of tho fruit industry for which the climate and soil of the colony are particularly suited. Another matter which we think was not treated on its merits was the cultivation oi small fruits, such the currant, gooseberry, strawberry, etc. These come to hear very quickly, do not requiro very much attention, and should prove a paying crop to tho small orehardist. The many excellent recommendations made by tho delegates to tho Department of Agricultural will no doubt receive that attention which they deserve. . The Government and the Department deserve the thanks of the fruitgrowers of New Zealand for the liberal manner in which the delegates were treated, and if tho industry does not benefit from the labours of tho Conference the fault cannot ho attributed to those in authority.