NONE OF THE FRUITGROWERS ARE GARDENERS

Otago Witness, Issue 2085, 8 February 1894, Page 5

NONE OF THE FRUITGROWERS ARE GARDENERS

by profession. In answer to a question which I put to all the leading growers whom I called upon, the reply was in nearly every case that they were miners by occupation, and had drifted into fruit-growing by degrees. This was rather against them in one sense, for very few knew which were the be3t kinds of fruit to plant, and they had to find out in the school of experience. If there is one thing I admire about a miner it is his grit and determination. If beaten one way he surmounts the obstacle, tries agaio, and finally conquers. This is the class of men who are now the leading fruitgrowers of Teviot, and they have been ably seconded by their wives, who are all of that vigorous type of women who have done so much in the settlement of New Zealand. Although the older growers were noviceß in fruit-growing when they started first, do not think that they have remained so. They are as keenly alert to the value of the newest sorts, and those which have the best market value, as any one I have met ; and I was at times surprised to see large treeß of fruit which were quite new in Australia four years ago. That they can progress is a self-evident fact.

THE PRINCIPAL FRUITS GROWN are apricots, cherries, peaches, plums, grapes (under glass), strawberries, and tomatoes. These are the maiii crops, and that they are grown in quantities is demonstrated by the number of cases which will be sent down for the season. Some one may ask, are they not able to grow apples at Teviot P Yes, and as fine a sample as any district in Australasia, At one time large quantities were grown and sent away. In fact, there were many acres of trees in full bearing, but in an unguarded moment they allowed empty fruit cases infested with codlin moth larvae to be brought into the district from Dunedin, and in a few years the pest took possession of the orchards, the fine climate helping to increase the foe, and fine trees 10 to 20 years old have been cut down to make room for fruits which are not subject to the ravages of this pest. Christchurch fruitgrowers may take warning from this experience. One might continue, but your space is valuable and I have taken up a large amount of it, though really no more than the subject deserves. I should like to tell you of the interesting chats I had with the leading growers, but refrain, and only add that they received me with the greatest kindness, and gave me all the information I desired. Before closing, allow me to add that the fruit-growing district is not limited to the vicinity of Roxburgh, but extends right to Alexandra South, some 20 miles further on ; and the testimony of many witnesses, in whom I have the greatest faith, is that fine as the Teviot fruit is, further up the river it is finer in quality and appearance. If I have interested your readers, and given them some little information regarding one of the best of our natural industries, I have only added to the pleasure o f a holiday trip among the Teviot fruitgrowers. — Christchurch paper, .