THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7850, 12 July 1911, Page 2

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY

CONCERN INC A EPEES. Although there has Loon a. revival in the cultivation of apples in all parts of the country during the past fe'v years, there still remains a largo field open for enterprise in Dus direction. 'Hie prevalence of orchard pests in former years has no doubt been responsible lor the neglect that has been shown towards tliis important and profitable industry. However, matter* in connection with orchards are now on a much better footing, and by careful attention t'ho destruction, and loss that was lOTineidy caused by blights have b-c»,ui controlled to a very great extent, if not entirely eradicated. The enthusiasts who have made a life study of fruitgrowing are convinced that if managed on a proper system of growing and marketing, there are few, if any, other branches of outdoor industry that will yield the samo return per aero as-is shown by a well-nuuva-ged commercial orchard. Practically the whole of the .Dominion is suitable for the cultivation of apples. Although (.hero has been a largo area brought into requisition by orchardists recently the increased output of apples is inadequate * to fill local requirements at prices that will put; them within the roach of all who require them. in “Wellington to-day best eating apples are retailing at i-.ix-pence per pound, practically ihreedialfpence each; with a firm market. A local fruiterer told the writer that his most saleable apples come from Tasmania. Ho can import these and pay ono x>enny j>er pound duty and still make as much or even a better profit than local grown supplier will show him. if t.ho same apples could be retailed at naif the present prices it would bo far ooiltcr for all • concerned. The consumption would bo mere than doubled and this popular fruit would bo more universally used, when j)iaccU within the reach of householders with moderate means, instead of -remaining more or less a luxury as at present. Prices arc regulated by tho law of supply and demand and the existing state of the market suggests that tho ' supply is not equal to public requirements. Growers state that a fair working margin will bo forthcoming to. them if they can obtain from ono penny to twopence per pound for all they-can grow. ]t this is so, thou it is apparent that the supplies are not yet equal to. the demand. There are indications, however, that indicate that growers anticipate Unit before long local requirements will be insufficient to consumo ail the apples that are produced. In view of tin*, experiments have recently been made with shipments of apples to England. These trial shipments have been only partially successful so lai\ owing to the wrong temperature being maintained on ■ the voyage. The foresight of growers in seeking an outside market y-arly for any possible surplus in the future is to be commended. There is no doubt that before many vears have passed there will l>© a, very largo area devoted to apple cultivation; and outside markets will-have to ,be found for any surplus over local re-, qiiuements. ORCHARDS ON THE FARM.

In years gone by every well-appointed homestead had an ample area devoted to fruit-growing. This was before the day a of blights. Emit of all kinds was cheap and plentiful in the country districts, good apples could be purchased at ono penny per pound, and evjen at that low figure tqns of .good fruit was either allowed to rot on the ground or was, led to the farmer's pigs. Nowadays a very largo percentage of our farmers do nov grow sufficient to provide fvr 'their Household requirements, because of the trouble entailed'in combating pests .that have become so prevalent. Now that eliicient spraying mixtures, have been discovered and placed on the market, there are many who are renewing tho orchards that had been allowed to fall into a neglected condition or wen. destroyed iu accordance with the requirements of the Act dealing with orchard posts. There" .seems to be no valid reason- why every homestead should not produce at least sufficient use for the household needs. If only a email area be, used it can bo kept in good order with very little expend in proportion to the asset that it provides as palrt of the equipment, of tho homestead.’ Tho work connected with spraying is not-a serious obstacle, and in many instances an orchard provides an interesting hobby, especially when there is an elderly member of the family who requires some light work to occupy his attention. It la when orchards ora planted and afterwards neglected that they become a menace to others. This failing is especially noticablo -on farms that are owned by careless men* and in suburban districts. These backyard hotbeds for pests aro gradually becoming eradicated by tho operations of the Government inspectors. Tt will not bo very long before the hardships that are now imposed on many systematic grpw- - era by the proximity of neglected orchards will bo entirely removed.-

STATE ASSISTANCE TO ORCHARDISTS.

This is another direction in which the State has rendered invaluable assistance. For many years portions of experimental farms in various provinces have been reserved for the cultivation of t fruit on the latest approved methods. ; The services of specialists in the culture of fruit trees, and of scientists who have made extensive research into the peculiarities of different diseases and their remedies, have been engaged for the purpose of promoting the industry in every way. The services of qualified instructors are always available when required to provide public demonstrations of any particular feature of tho work, and*to visit individual orchards whenever called upon. Printed leaflets containing information of every descrintiou arc distributed free of charge to all who are. interested. By this means reliable information baa been disseminated, and practical results are now being obtained. Now that tho tide has turned and fruit growing is becoming more firmly established, the Department of Agriculture is being freely called upon for advice and assistance iu many directions, chiefly with regard to spraying and pruning. In connection with pruningHhe State orchardi&ts have adopted a system entirely different from that which prevailed some .years ago.- In former times fruit trees were permitted to grow to an immense* size and height. The trunk being allowed to run up several feet beboro branching out. Nowadays one of the objects of pruning is to keep the branches low ou the trunk. Tho advantages claimed, for this system is that pruning, spraying and picking the fruit can be easily performed without damage : to the tree, also that destruction caused *bv the wind is greatly reduced. At tho Hawora Show” last week the opportunitv .was taken to give those interested an actual demonstration of pruning methods. Fruit trees consisting of apple, peaches and rdum specimens were included among the State exhibit, each being marked at the particular place at which the branches should be cut off. - Labels were attached showing the reasons why pruning at those places was desirable. The following.is a reproduction of tho apple tree showing the labels which aro attached to the tree at tho place where it i ic recommended to prune. These labels I

have been numbered, and the information contained upon each will be found on reference to the key below.

No. 1. To open up the centre of the tree. 3 Cut back to form fruit spur. 4. Cut clean to avoid crowding. 5. Cut clean out, make leader of tlie weaker growth, as otherwise a hard crutch is formed. 6,7, 9. To strengthen the branch and develop two strong leaders from tho upper buds. 8. Cut to outer bud to further open up the centre. 10, Cut to develop strong leader from top outer bud. 11, Cut to outer hml to, maintain open centre. The tree dealt with is a Stunner pippin. Those models were a centre of attraction during the whole period of the show, and the instructors who were in attendance-—Mr Hyde, of the Wanganui, and Mr Stratford, of. the Halmorston -district-ware fully occupied in making explanations ffnd in supplying general information iu connection with the fruit industry. It frequently happened that farmers’ opinions were at variance with those of the instructor and some interesting afld instructive arguments were indulged iu. For instance, a. grower would come along and after a few minutes' survey he would perhaps say : "Well, I don’t agree with all vour suggestions.V Ho would point to the lateral twig that .is allowed to renrmiiv, and inquire, why-that was so. Tho explanation given was that the lateral growth is allowed-to remain for a period to enable fruit spurs to be developed, and is then gradually shortened-back to the leader. Similar questions relating to other features of pruning were discussed, and those who had the privilege of thus obtaining first hand advice from experts were unanimous in their congratulations to tho department for tho means adopted to get into touch with those who are directly interested. THE STATE EXHIBIT.

In order to give growers an idea ac to the best varieties of keeping and dessert apples to plant, for home use and with a view to future export, a comprehension display of samples was attractively arranged and formed one of the mosiT prominent features of the department's travelling exhibit. The apples had all been in cool storage ‘ for ten weeks and were presented m good condition. -A great many were shown in properly packed eases so as to convey an idea as to the proper system to bo followed to prevent bruising and chafing during transit. The varieties among t]-o collection that were recommended as "keepers and suitable for export, are Stnrmer,' Jonathan . Cleopatra. Five Crown. Munro’s Favourite, Cox’s Orange. Among other varieties that were hignlj spoken of was Delicious, a recent importation from America, which is a splendid dessert apple and a- good cropper. Homo Beaut}' is another first-class desspri that has been tried in various parts; it is also a good keeper and suimblo for export. A splendid show is made of American IVinesap, a variety very little known as yet in New Zealand. It is of an attractive appearance, is a good keener and conld be exported. The Cleonntras and Jonathans on view are first-class specimens ,of those varieties. They- were grown in the Wairarnpa. Sturmers naturally fill a prominent place in the collection, but they are , well known to everyone, therefore comment is needless. - . . , Amongst the few varieties of penis shown were Beurro. Easter. Winter Nelis. Winter Cole, Harrington s Victoria, L’Xnconnue. and P Barry. Full information regarding the planting and equipment of orchards may bo obtained on application being made to the officers in charge of the various centres, who will if necessary give public demonstration and advice."