FARMERS ON TOUR

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22825, 9 March 1936, Page 7

FARMERS ON TOUR

VISIT TO CENTRAL OTAGO AN EDUCATIONAL EXPERIENCE The weather continued beautifully fine' on Friday for the continuation of the tour through Central Otago by North Otasro farmers and their wives. Perhaps the most interesting part of the day was the visit to the orchards at both Alexandra and Clyde. The day'« programme also included calls at Cromwell, Hawea, Lake Hawea. and Pembroke. FRUIT-GROWING AREAS.

Just a mile or two out of Alexandra, where the party Btayed on Thursday night, a stop was made at Mr R. A. Kinnaird's fruit-growing property, where Mr Kinnaird, sen., showed the visitors through this fine orchard, and supplied some interesting information. In one of the cherry tree enclosures there were as many as 56 trees, most of which were about 26 years old. In all, 90001 bof cherries had been obtained from thetrees, and the season was regarded as having been a very good one. The year 1934 was the first occasion on which the fruit had been affected by severe frosts since Mr Kinnaird has been connected with the property. It was stated that the pears would be Teady for shipment in about a fortnight. There was nn exceptionally heavy crop of pears, and it was expected that some 500 boxes would be taken from the 70 odd trees. The peaches had proved exceptionally pood, and from each tree five cases had been taken, representing over 2001 b per tree. Of the nectarines, the whole crop realised 1500 cases, which represented 12 cases to each tree. The "Morepark" apricot appears to do much better than any other variety in this district, and here again a good crop was realised. The party was then shown tins of oil which \ were lighted when the temperature falls lower than 31 degrees. A pear tree over 40 years old proved of interest. This tree was part of the orchard when it was first grown. Usually one ton of fruit is taken off rhis particular xree, although, unfortunately, it is not such a good seller as some. It was stated that the crops of apples was very light this season, owing to the heavy crop that was realised the previous year. There was a large quantity of ' quinces, and the trees, which prow very thickly along one side of the orchard, incidentally act as an excellent shelter for the other varieties of fruit. There has been a considerable inquiry from the North Island for quinces this year, as the crops there have been practically destroyed by the recent storms. At the conclusion of t'ae inspection Mr Kinnaird gave an instructive talk on th« work of the orchard with special reference to the method of spraying. Mr E. J. Congalton, returning thanks to Mr Kinnairl, sen., and to Mr and Mrs Kinnaird, jun., for their kindness, said it was a very thorough system that was in use at the orchard. Wonderful achievements had been obtained, and it was • erv'" fine to see such a remarkable orchaid. \

Mr Iverson (president of the Alexandra Farmers' Union) wished the party " bon voyf.gc.' - . The other half of the party which had stayed the riignt at Clyde, where the visitors were most hospitably entertained, also visited a fruit-growing properly—that belonging to Mr W. Annan. Tlvs is known as the Dunstan orchard, and an interesting feature was the trees of prunes, which were very favourably commented on. The Dunstan orchard has produced the finejt of fruit, and everything is looking in first-class order at the present time. RECEPTION IN CROMWELL.

Morning tea for the party was provided at the home of Mrs Webb, whose property has also gained the reputation of producing fruit of the very best quality. The homestead is in the centre of a very fertile area, the country being a marked contrast to the burnt-up pastures on either side of the property. The members of the Cromwell branch of the Women's Division had arranged morning tea, which was thoroughly enjoyed by all. Mrs T. Smith (president of the Cromwell branch) accorded the visiting North Otago party a hearty welcome to Cromwell. /

Mr J. Ritchie (chairman of the*Vincent County Council) the visitors that it wa9 a great pleasure to him to welcome them. He related an incident which occurred in Cromwell when the first gold was won in the district —871 b weight of gold being taken out in three months. The Vincent County, Mr Ritchie stated, was one of the largest counties in the Dominion, comprising some 1,250,000 acres. Cromwell was famous in that it had the first goldfield magistrate in New Zealand in the person of Mr Vincent Pyke, who had also been, the first chairman of the Vincent County Council. Mr T. Smith (president of the Upper Clutlia Fanners' Union) also added a few words of welcome.

The Mayor of Cromwell (Mr C. W. J. Roberts), formerly of Oaniaru, was present to prest the party officially. He explained the type of country in and around Cromwell, and said they were all (standing on one of the finest orchards in Centra] Otago, Mr D. Middlnton, of the Northbum Station, also spoke. Mrs Crawford Anderson (provincial president of Otngo) said that there was a verv old member" of the Cromwell branch of the Women's Division present. Mrs W. Bell, who had 40 grandchildren and 18 great-grandchildren. Mrs Cleave and Mr J. Chapman replied on behalf of the visitors. LUNCH AT HAWEA. From Cromwell the party proceeded direct to Hawea, Here the ladies of t tic local Women's Division and the members of the Farmers' Union had prepared a wonderful lunch which was greatly enjoyed. Mrs Allison (president of the Women's Division) made the visitors welcome, and Mr T. Allison (secretary of the T'pper.Clutha Farmers' Union) extended piretings from the Arrowtown branch Mi D. Cameron, of the Upper Cluthn Toting Farmers' Club) also spoke, and Mrs .T. D. Taylor (Kokoamo) thanked t're Hawea people for so hospitably entertaining their guests. The membership or' the Hawea branch of the Women's Division is some 100 strong. The Hawea district was looking at. its and the stacks of barley, for vliich' crop this part of the country has n reputation, made an attractive sight. It was stated that one particular crop of barley would thresh out at about 80 bushels to the acre.

Leaving Hawea, the party made a detour as far as the lake, -where a fine panoramic view was obtained from a suitable point of vantage. An interesting day concluded with a hurried visit to the beautiful home o? Mr John Hunt, son of Sir William Hunt, at Maungawera. It was considered by many that the Maungawera district is one of the richest in the whole of Central Otago. From here the party went to Pembroke, where the visitors stayed for two nights and a day. CONCLUDING DAY. A fairly extensive programme was arranged for the concluding day. Saturday morping was devoted to a visit to the Wanaka Station, owned by Sir Percy Sargood. The chief object of the visit was to see what was being done

on this property by irrigation, of which Sir Percy is an ardent advocate. In a very interesting talk Sir Percy Sargood said the water for irrigation purposes on his farm was taken from the Cardrona River, and was carried in 26J-inch pipes. After leaving the pipes the water was distributed over the land by 35 miles of races from larger to smaller ones. Sir Percy described the configuration of the races, and the types used on both flat and hilly country. He stated that before he put the scheme into operation the land could carry only 500 sheep, while now it could carry 4500 sheep. The land had been greatly improved through the effects of irrigation, and there was a plentiful supply of feed. Sir Percy went on to say that he had planted out an orchard of some 40 acres, and had obtained the excellent yield of 60 bushels to the acre. Ten acres of fruit were entirely devoted to experimental varieties. Mr D. J. Ross, in replying on oehalf of the visitors, said they were all indebted to Sir Percy for his very instructive talk. A PINE COLLECTION. A stop at Mr John Faulks's home to view the notable collection of wild animal head skins, and curios proved highly instructive. It was stated by Mr A. C. Cameron that Mr Faulks's collection had been displayed at the Wembley 'Exhibition, and was regarded as the finest in the world. The party disbanded at Mr Faulks's place, where several congratulatory speeches were exchanged. Mr Cameron said that it had been a great pleasure to him to make the acauaintance of the North Otago people, and he returned thanks to them for their kindness. Mr L. Kelcher said the tour had been a big undertaking, and much of th-> credit was due to the organiser (Mr Cameron). He presented Mr Cameron with a cigarette holder and case. Mrs Crawford Anderson said they had had a wonderful experience. It was very pleasing to know that the Farmers' Union and the Women's Division were one big family. She wished all happiness and prosperity for the future. an! thanked the residents of the various districts who had made the tour so pleasant. Mrs J. F. Drake also spoke. Tributes were paid to the drivers of the two buses which conveyed the party, and presentations were made. Appreciation was also expressed of the work of Mr Calder (provincial secretary) and Mr Aitkcn, who rendered valuable assistance durins the tour. Some of the party went on to visit Mr Scaife's place at Glendhu Bay. The afternoon was spent at the Upper Clutha A., and P. Show. Yesterday the party returned to Oamaru after completing a most successful trip, and all voted the tour as most enjoyable. On Saturday night the members of the North Otago party attended a dance held in the Pembroke Hall by the Upper Clutha A. and' P. Association, at which there was an exceptionally large attendance. Mr Hunt (president of the Upper Clutha A. and P. Association) extended a hearty welcome to the North Otago visitors, and Mr Cameron suitably replied.