NURSERY INDUSTRY.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 18999, 23 October 1923, Page 3

NURSERY INDUSTRY.

A REVIEW. “The conditions of the trade are undergoing a change in all parts of the dominion,” said Mr G. A. Green, the dominion secretary of the New Zealand Nurserymens Association, to a Daily Times reporter. The day of the general nursery which grows all pt sells in every line is fast passing anay. “Specialisation” is the order of the day. Certain sections of the country are found ito produce different lines of stock quicker and more satisfactorily than others, climatic and soil conditions influencing largely, and this, in conjunction with altered labour conditions, has resulted in the, development of those who specialise in mass production tor the trade, with the result that the general standard of excellence is not only maintained but improved. For instance, some districts grow hollies, azaha, rhododendrons much better than others, other districts produce apricots, peaches, and stone fruits, while certain districts have the name tor the production of heaths, boroma, and so f ° rth ‘ THE PAST SEASON. Continuing, Mr Green said that in most parts of the North Island the early winter was wet and unseasonable, with the i?su ■'that planting was delayed, and at the middle of July the outlook was anything but promising A change came about that time, however, and from then till the middle of September conditions were very ® and business became brisk, v. ith the esm t that most Arms ■ now report business is fully up to the average. In Canterbury and Otago those firms whoso principal trade is with the back oountiy farms have experienced a nuiet season as a result of the dislocation caused by the disastrous floods; those whose have been in connection with the towns, city, and coatal districts as a rule report fair to good business. PEACHES. PLUMS, AND APRICOTS. Stone fruits have been in fair demand, but the recent, dumpings of canned peaches and apricots from overseas have prevented the development of the New Zealand canning industry to the extent which seemed certain a few years ago. In a country like New Zealand, where ft one fruits of the highest .quality can be crown in unlimited quantities, it would seem that it is up to the State to protect its basic producers from the disastrous effects of overseas dumping—largely _ from foreign countries. As one result of the dumping, a large and old-established New Zealand company of fruit-canners had decided to erect works to cost £20.000, but in face of, the nresent position these have been postponed. Many persons of _ experience who have travelled widely claim that the apricots and other stone fruits of the Teviot and other parts of Central Otago icannot be beaten for the production of high-grade canning fruit, and it is highly desirable that the industry should receive every encouragement possible. APPLES AND PEARS.

In these lines the demand has been limited strictly to supplying the needs of the home, orchards and filling up gaps in existing orchards. The uncertainty of the final success of the export trade deters further extensive planting of pip fruits. But with the stabilising of the export—as seems certain within the next year or two—a return to normal plantings may be expected. Recent reports to hand showing that success is likely to follow the investigation into the causes and cure of brown heart and flesh collapse in apples, and the fact that for 1924 the Government has guaranteed Id per lb for all apples exported up to 250,000 cases, shows that they, too, have confidence and great hopes of the future of the export of apples. THE TIMBER. PROBLEM AND THE NURSERYMAN. Few people realise how closely the nursery industry is connected with the forest problems an'd the. supply of timber. In this connection Mr Green stated that a phenomenal interest had been awakened in forestry. The propaganda of the association and that of the .State Forest Service has awakened local bodies and private settlers to the fact that there is great danger in New Zealand in the near future of a great timber shortage unless immediate steps are taken to plant suitable timber trees in quantity. From Whangarei in the far north right down to Southland afforestation plantation and shelter planting is very active. Here, again, specialisation is in evidence, and while practically all nurseries stock this class of tree there are those who specialise in forest trees. One such firm produced and sold over 1,250,000 trees for forest and plantation purposes this past season, ■ It is estimated that the output of forest and plantation trees from the nurseries of the association members has exceeded 10,000,01X1, quite a respectable total. ORANGES AND LEMONS. South Islanders who are not personally acquainted with the possibilities of the coast lands of the north for the production of the highest class of citrus fruits find it hard to realise that there, has been a decided advance in tjiis section, and as &■ result plantings have been fully equal to any past season. The districts affected have all been in the north, Tauranga, Whangarei, Gisborne, and Auckland being the principal. The establishing of the citrus pool for the selection, grading, and curing of lemons is having a stimulating effect on the nursery side of the business. Another matter which is now receiving attention is that of the taking of individual 'tree performance records and subsequent bud selection work with a view to eliminating all the unprofitable trees in the groves and supplying reliable standard budwood to the: nurseries for propagating purposes. This in time npist stimulate citrus planting. The selection of budwood is carried out, on smaller lines to that in connection with the apricots ns carried out at Roxburgh. Sweet oranges are also claiming a larger place in the planting than formerly. The future of the New Zealand sweet orange is certain so lar as the later part of the season is concerned, as the best of the New Zealand oranges are ready for the market from September onwards when thev are always scarce. Another citrus fruit coming into its own is the granc fruit, which succeeds as well in north New Zealand 3s in any part of the world The grape fruit habit is an acquired taste, and once learned the ‘Tomoto’’ becomes a breakfast necessity. BEDDING PLANTS. The steady demand .which has been in evidence for bedding plants for some years has been well maintained, and in some places is fast on the increase, while roses bulbs, and flowering shrubs are as popular as ever. Taken On the whole, the nurseryindustry may be said to be maintaining its place in the developing activities of the dominion.