FRUIT-GROWING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7452, 29 May 1911, Page 2

FRUIT-GROWING

READV-AIADE FA RMS FOR THE SETTLER. VALUE OF POOR LANDS OF THE NORTH. Probabl v tho mosl striking example of tho principle underlying the successful conduct of nu industry being reversed by modem knowledge is that provided by tho business ot inutgrowing. At one time it was a 00111monly accepted axiom that tho bet-el tho land tho better the fruit; now it would appear as though tho very opposite were tho case, at least it is now being recognised that the choicest dessert fruit can bo grown on absolutely pour land, provided, that is. the climate and environment arc favourable to the business. This fact is of special and farreaching significance to this country, for it provides the key to one of our most seriouy national problems the profitable utilisation of tho vast area of second-class, and apparently _ worthless, lands of the Dominion, especially those extending over a considerable portion of tho northern half of this island, to tho poor lands of tho Nelson district as well as to the extensive area of inferior lauds in the centre of the lower half of the South Island. With commendable foresight tho Government set to, work to provide a practical demonstration of the value of the new gospel,, by transforming des-pised areas of typical northern country into successful fruit farms. An experimental farm was established at AVaerenga, where in addition to test-, ing varieties of fruit suitable to the' locality it has amply demonstrated that tho production of wattle bark (for tanning purposes) and the cultivation of grapes are profitable undertakings. On Friday last the Minister for Agn-| culture, tho Hon. T. Mackenzie, acconi-l pauied by Messrs P. Lawry, A., Ej Glover, Jl.P.’s, 11. C. Bruce (Rangitikei)' and several Auckland settlers interested in tho profitable utilisation of gum lauds, visited tho Waerenga station.; Speaking to a representative oil the “New Zealand Times” Mr Mackenzie said the object of his visit, was to go over the fruit farms which, have been laid out in connection with; the station and to officially discuss tho; terms under which they would bo offered for selection. There are ton of tho farms in a more or less advanced staga at the present time, ranging from farms' of a year's growth to others of five years’ development, and carying in extent from twenty to sixty acres, averag-i ing a half to a third of their areas in', fruit trees, dihe balance being partly in. grass and partly in a natural statey rendered necessary owing to the peculiar configuration .of the country, which, while preventing the entire area being 1 utilised, provides excellent natural drainage. The country is of an undulating nature, and the- faces laying well to the sun have been selected for the fruit areas. In this way tho best use has been made of tho land. “I was astonished to see.” said thoi Minister,, “the excellent growth made! since I visited the farm about a year ago,, all tho fruit farms giving promise of ultimate success. 1 was informed tho’ older trees had a very good show of fruif? this season. The Land Board, of course, has the disposal of the farms under certain sections of tho Land Act, and several of tho farms will shortly be opened for selection.” ‘‘The whole condition of tho estate," continued the Minister, "shows considerable progress, and very useful work has, been done during the past year. Mr Knight, of Albany, who was one of the party, having oomo at my invitation to see the,nature of the Waerenga experiments, is himself dealing in a progressive manner with the poorer gum lands immediately to. the north of Auckland. It was naturally a great object lesson to him to fee the progress tho department was making in demonstrating the uses to which poor lauds could be put. “One field of a hundred acres in extent in grass for the first year is looking remarkably well. Considerable work is being done at tho station in testing tho permanency of' different; grasses in the .environment, as well os in experimenting with varieties and, various fertilisers, boil!* of these experimental areas were fairly heavily stocked dlirinpf the past summer. Phosphate'S and basic slag hare, so far, given tho best results. Pastures which have not been assisted bv commercial fertilisers are poor, and the scrub is beginning to reappear* on themA peculiar thing about the habit of tho sheep as that although they go on to tho better pastures during tho day they all camp on tho poorer land at night. Tho oldest pasture wo have .on tho later. broken-up has been down, for five years. It carried considerable stock this 1 season, and. has a good sole of grass. . ‘Of course what has yet to bo ascertained is whether tho results will justify the expenditure in bringing into tiso such country so far as grazing i s concerned/* ‘The fruit trees being planted at Waorcnga are those required for the varieties in demand within the Dominion and for export. AVo 01*0 not adding to our vineyard to any extent, except vines lor itho production of table grapes; but tho returns from the grapes cultivated for nine-making show that this branch of the industry can be carried on in such country at considerable .profit.”