THE GOVERNMENT FRUIT EXPERT.

New Zealand Times, Volume LVII, Issue 2413, 19 January 1895, Page 2

THE GOVERNMENT FRUIT EXPERT.

Mr W. J. Palmers tile Government fruit expert, is now in Wellington, having completed his tour of inspection through the Manawatu district. Mr Palmer informs us that the first place he visited was Paraparanmu, whore he found tho orchards in so far as insect pests and disease are concerned to be in a very healthy condition, while the fruit crop is very promising. There are about 50 acres planted with apples, peaches, pears, plums and apricots, and there is also a good quantity of laud down in strawberry and gooseberry plants, which ail appear to bo bearing heavily. From Paraparaumu ho went on to the Fruit Association’s property at Waikanao. Ho says that a good deal of work is- being done there, but that the people engaged in it evidently do not possess the requisite expert knowledge. No proper system of pruning lias been carried, out, and there is a good deal left undone in tho treatment of the trees after they are planted. In this connection Mr Palmer suggests that fruitgiowers would do well to instruct the nurserymen from whom they purchase their trees to do the pruning for them before they take delivery, Tho fruit trees at Waikanao consist mostly of apples and plums, but there are a good many peach trees as well. The next place visited was the State farm near Levin. Preparations are there being made for planting, but it will not be advisable to do so tips season, as the bush is not sufficiently cleared. Visits were also paid to the : Government experimental nursery at Whareros, and to the orchards in and about Palmerston, notably those of Captain Hewitt and Messrs Munro and Evans, as well as to the nurseries of Messrs Mayo and Nairnsi ' All these places promise heavy crops of fruit. Mr Palmer finds that as a general rule the settlers require instruction as to the .varieties of fruit best suited to the soil and situation of their properties, and he thinks far greater attention might with profit be given to vine culture. Ho will leave shortly on a trip to Gisborne and Napier, after which he will proceed through the Taranaki and Auckland districts.