FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15765, 16 May 1913, Page 3

FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

INTERESTING INTERVIEW. CENTRAL OTAGO APPLES. EXPERLUENTAL PLOTS. Mr W. T. Goodwin, tho local Government fruit expert, who acted as judge of the fruit exhibits at the Chrysanthemum Show on Wednesday, speaks very highly of the quaJity of the apples and pears which were forward for competition. So far as tie exhibit of apriles is concerned, he sajflf Sa has never seen anything in the dominion to compare with those from the iiago Central district. Taking' the dis<K apples all round, Mr Goodwin says that for colour and flavour they are superior to those grown in Canterbury or Nelson. Central Otago, in fact, he considered, oould hold its own in the growing of apples with any place in the world. Some of the varieties of apples which were on exhibition were a 6 follows Jonathan, Scarlet Nonpareil, Munro's Favourite, Rome Beauty, Five Crown pippins, Lady Hopetoun, Sturmer pippins, and Lady Lyons. As showing the wide extent of conntry suitable for apple and pear growing—that is, of course, not to mention peaches, apricots, plums, strawberries, etc.—it may be mentioned that the following Otago Central fruit-growers were included in the prize list at the show on Wednesday: —N. P. Ivloogh (Lowburn Ferry), W. Lynn (Bannockburn), R. Dawson (Conrov's Gully), J. Moncriefr (Galloway Flat), T. S. Mason, and Tonkin's Trustees (Roxburgh), and Martin (Beaumont). It will therefore be seen that the reputation of growing fruit of high quality is not confined to any one particular district in the Central. i

Referring to the culture of pears, Mr Goodwin said that given good shelter, — peaj trees must have this adjunct to their free growth—the Central could produce fruit of beautiful flavour and fine quality.

_ He considers there are plenty more outside markets to be opened up. The fringe of the markets of Germany have only just been touched, and in this connection Mr Goodwin stated that at the present time some six or seven steamers sail direct from Tasmania to Germany annually with shipments of fruit, chiefly apples. Then there is France, he continued, the fruit markets of_ which liave yet to be developed, while there are also openings for New Zealand fruit in the Eastern countries.

The South American demand % apples is also growing in extent, and as illustrative of the wants of this country in this direction it may be pointed out that a local fruit merchant is now making inquiries as to the possibility of securing some 30,000 or 40,000 cases of apples to be delivered in this market next season. That there must be a big consumption of apples in South America is further % demonstrated by the fact that the Ruapehu, which left Hobart for New Zealand on April 28, had on board 8575 cases of apples for Montevideo and 600 cases for Rio de Janiero, the fruit being transhipped at Wellington for its destination. These facts should inspire present New Zealand' growers of fruit, and also prospective orchardists, with faitli in the future of the demand for their fruits— especially apples.

Mr Goodwin further remarked that the fruit-growing industry is going ahead in Central Otago. Some 500 or 400 acres of new land weTe laid down in fruit farms last yeaT, and he considere about the same number of will be planted out this vear.

Tho Agricultural Department last season kid out an experimental plot of one acre at Clyde, and this year the intention is to plant down a farther six plots, in Waimahaka, Balclutha, Catlins, Arrowtown, Ettrick, and Riversdale. The procedure is for a fanner in one of these localities to give the department the use of one a-cre of his land for a period of seven years. The department supplies the trees, and exercises a general supervision, while the farmeT conducts the actual planting. One and sometimes two trees of several varieties of apples, peaches, pears, and apricots are planted in the acre plots, and by this means a thoroughly reliable idea, is obtained of what kind of fruit, and the particular variety, thrives best in the different localities. At the end ofi seven years, the plot is handed back to the farmer. Additional educational interest is given to the surrounding orchardists by the fact that the officers of the department hold a field day on these plots at intervals, for the purpose of giving practical demonstrations in the culture, pruning, spraying, etc., of the trees. Mr Goodwin mentioned that he would very much like ii he conld secure a piece of land at the Taieri, to enable him to carry out a test in that district. J

The report of the local fruit expert for 1912-13 states that die hard (which attacks, peaches, apricots, and plums), leaf cur!, (which attacks peaches), and shot hole fungus (apricots) were more prevalent this season than usual, owing to the wet spring being favourable for the development of all fungus diseases, and the farmers having in most cases had giod seasons during the past few years had got into tho way of not paying so much attention to the spraying with the winter Bordeaux mixture. The short interview with Mr Goodwin could not but impress our reporter -with the fact that the Agricultural Department is fully aware of the potentialities of the fruit-growing industry in the dominion, and is using every endeavour to place it on a prosperous footing.