FRUIT-GROWING

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 8750, 4 June 1914, Page 11

FRUIT-GROWING

PROMISING OUTLOOK FUTURE RIVAL OF THE DAIRY INDUSTRY. "At no period in the history, of New Zealand has the outlook for the fruitgrowing. industry been more promising than it is at present. It will be some considerable time before fruitgrowing furnishes- export figures in any way approaching those provided by dairying, but -unless fruitgrowing suffers some unexpected setback it must in. time rival ibo- gteat kindred industry, which has been ouch a powerful factor in contributing to New -Zealand's present prosperity. Fruitgrowing is one ot the many departments in tile sphere of the prune producer in whichpntens© cultivation is an essential to success, and with our comparatively limited land area and out magnificent climate, it is intense cultivation in its various terms which in going to make our Greater Hiitain one ot the leading countries in the world." ' This ie the opening statement in the editorial article in the June issue of the "New; Zealand Farmer," anadtance copy of which has just been received. It is a special “truit number," prepared with great care and presented in most attraolive fashion. As the editor writes, an effort has been made to cover the industry throughout the chief fruitgrowing districts of the Dominion. Special pages, many of them illustrated, are devoted to Subjects upon which novices will be likely to obtain expert advice, such as Strawberry growing, pear culture, and the growing ot figs. The fine range of illustrations is a feature, of the;, issue throughout. * -■ , . : - Discussing the development of the , in-dustry,-tbo "Farmer" says: ‘The prune factor responsible-for-the improved outlook Is in the first place the opening up of on assured market for our surplus fruits, at present chiefly confined to apples. Tfi« opening up of the North -and Booth American markets, to Which some 80,000 cases will be sent this, season, has put fresh heart into old growers, and encouraged-many others , to join the ranks.' Without outside markets, grow<irs who looked' oliead had littlo inducement to extend their orchards, and, even to give, their existing orchards that teguJar car© and attention which is essential to success. Another cattee which has helpedfruitgrowing very much is the improved methods ’ which have come into vogue, both as regard* cultivatiob, and in combating jjeets. The results of many veins of experimenting and hard worfc.dn the part of * pioneer and; the Division of the Aenonltural Department are beginning .to teu- Newcomers who are taking up commercial fruitgrowing have a mass of practical information al, their disposal, which will prevent them making the-mistakes, and ■ losing both ■ capital and time as so many of the earlier growers did. A BUSINESS PROPOSITION. "Fruitgrowing is now an essentially business proposition, in that it i-b pes Bible to estimate fairly correctly; the outlay necessary- to- establish -and maiiitain an-orchard and the returns ,which Should ba reaped under average circum- - stances (the paper ntoceeds). The. prime producer, like the business man, has to allow - a margin for-risk, hut in this country euch-risks, owing to our equable climate; are not Very great. -The whole industry is rapidly heibg placed on a commercial basis, which will have a widereaching cflect-in that it will.enable prof&ssionpl men and town dwellers to put their savings to profitable advantage, and eventually enjoy-a country life, which many of them at present. regard . with envy ftom, their, often monotonous surroundings. 1 - “What cooperation did for the dairying industry it -w"’ "beginning to do for fruitgrowing. Much has yet to he done, but a Commencement hue been made. One good - sign -is that cb-operation - is taking- a- practical- form* ,as opposed to -the more or'Tess ’ theoretical affirmation of the principle with which growers have to'many years been content. As growers 1 reoegnise the increased returns -which are derived from • co-operative effort, the -movement will extend. Now that a start has been .on practical linos it is better for the ‘ movement to extend gradnslly. rather than sustain a set-back (from undue haste. ' Central packing (sheds, with expert staffs, cool-stores* and -(hipping agencies if required, offer unlimited- scope in increasing the net returns to the grower, who once assured of the practical benefits that he will-reap from. such, will not be slow to give such his support. > ,- ...p...i--;. -. ■ :

SCOPE FOE THE INDUSTRY. "At the end of March, 1913, there were 38,797 acres in the Dominion in orchard, and during the. present season it is estimated 2843 more acres will bo planted, which with 779 acres of vineyards, gives a total area of 42,435 acres. If this area gays a gross return to the grower of JtoO per acre,.we should have the substantial total of well over two million pounds ater ling. A proportion of this acreage is hot yet in full beating, and the possible return is only given to show what a valuable asset the industry will be to the country later on. In progressive fruit culture on a large scale, and in the area planted in new orchards. Nelson province easily leads the way, but the industry is also making great .strides in Central' Otago. New. tyfe has also boon intros duoed into the industry in Marlborough, end on the North Auckland peninsula, where considerable areas are being put Up for fruit farms. The area of land avail-' able for fruitgrowing in Nelson province is now becoming limited, and more attention is being given to the vacant country In the Auckland province, where there are thousands and thousands of acres within Comparatively easy reach of Auckland city, which will grow apples to perfection. COOL STORAGE.

"The cold chamber has been one of the best friends'the prime -producer of Now Zealand ever had. It practically made tho live; stock., and dairy industries, and What It has done for them it will also do for fruitgrowing. • It has opened the world’s markets to ue,- and it Will be our own fault if we do not utilise them for the produce of our orchards. - When each fruit district hae its cool store, as it Is quite possible for each district to have under the. scheme initiated by the present Minister, .for Agriculture, a double purpose will be served; the grower will gel a better: average crice for his fruit, and the great majority of the consuming public will not have to go without New Zealand-grown fruit for at least a third of the year.”