INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2202, 14 May 1896, Page 15

INTERCOLONIAL FRUIT CONFERENCE.

SicoND Day. Wellington, May 5. The In'erolonial Fruit Conference resumed at 2 30 p.m. STJB TROPICAL FBUITS. Papers entitled " Cultivation Commercially of the Pineapple, Banana, and other Subtropical Ftuits," by Mr Boulter (Queensland), and "Pineapple Disease," by Dr J. Lauterer (Queensland), were submitted to the conference and briefly discussed. FfIUIT PRODUCTION AND The next paper was by Mr E. Blix, of Queensland, and was entitled "Fruit Production and Consumption." The writer pointed out that statistics showed that the proportion of fruit consumed in the colonies per bead of population was ridiculously sm*ll. The middleman was blamed tor this state of thing?, but tbe writer contended that the middleman was force d into a cut-throat m repetition through no fau't of hu own. Tbe producer was in many reapecta responsibla, and took no pains to regulate the market and prices. Tiie writer urged that only the best and most attractive fruits should ba grown, and more care should be taken in the selection of tree?. In order to bring the grower and consumer into closer communication with each other the former must not lose sight of the necessity for the careful picking and packing of fruit. The introduction of a standard fruib case of uniform size was absolutely necestary in order to place the fruit trade of Australasia on a sound footing. It was greatly to be deplored that more f ac'lities were sot offered to fruit-growers in the m&iter of cheap and -efficient railway carriage, in order to place their products on (he market. There was too much damsga to fruit carried by rail under present arrangements. He felt sure thab if I some improvement was made in this direction much higher prices would be realised. He also complained strongly of the rough and careless handling fruit cases were subjected to in trancib on railways', his complaint being I directed especially at the Victorian aud New ' South Wales authorities. He believed the trade would never be pub on a sound footing until the producers worked in harmony with each other, agreed to sink all petty jealousies, and combined to form agencies and exchanges, and he showed how this would tend to revolutionise the industry. Growers should form themselves into strong bodies, and never reßt till their difficulties were overcome.

Mr Fowler (Peuaberton) referred to the careless way in which frnit was haudled on the New Zealand railways, and he hoped some notico would be taken of the matter by the railway authorities. Mr Lorie (Dunedin) said the fruit from the Teviot was most carefully handled by tbe railway people. The complaint only showed how necessary it was for growers to co-operate. If they did so their requests would bo attended to, and, where practicable, given effect to. Mr Williams (Victoria) -said the Victorian railway officials always exhibited the greatest care iv handling fruit. Mr Burfoot (Nelson) thought there could be considerable improvement in the way fruit was handled on the New Zealand railways.

Mr Ayers (Chcistohurch) contended that growers were greatly to bUme in their packing, and the middlemen and railway people were often blamed for what was the fault of the growtr. More care was also required in the direction of regulating shipments. Mr Earl (Waikato) said the growers in his district were thoroughly satisfied with the way in which tho railway officials handled the fruit:.

Mr Thompson (Auokland) suggested the formation of Vigilance Committees to watch the interests of growers, especially in the matter of transit.

Mr Bennetts (Teviot) thought some steps should be taken to secure better and more careful treatment^ of fruit cargoes on board vessels. Pilfering of fruit from cases in transit was far too prevalent, both on sea and land. Mr Mackenzie (Auckland) advocated close cases to provide against pilfering. Mr Piper (Nelson) thought the auction room system of disposing of trees wag responsible for the bad selection of tress. ■

Several other delegates took part in the discussion, after which the author of the paper was accorded a vote of thanks.

At 5 p.m. the conference adjourned. till 7.30 p.m. Mr Adams (Pabiatna^ gave notice to move— ■ " That it is desiraMe that this conference should recommend a stt>ud-.ud size for fruit packages." FRUIT TREE STOCKS. On resuming at 7.30 Mr J. Mayo, the New Zealand Government pomologibt, read a, paper on " Fruit Tree Stocks ; Propagation, Grafting, and Budding, with Remarks on the Relation of Scion to Stock." Mr James Gebbie, ourator of the public gardens, Oamaru, also submitted a paper on the same subject. Both papers were of a technical character, and dealt fully with different orctbocta of grafting and tbe

most suitable itocks. la the discussion which followed, Mr Tsmblyn (Teviot) said that the question of the most suitable stocks depended on the nature of the ground of the orchard. Mr Gimbletfc (Cb.ristcb.urcb) dwelt on the necessity of obtaining some stook for preservation of fruit trees. Mr Bennetts (Teviot) said very good peaches could be raised from seedlings, which, though longer in bearing, sometimes gave the raiser a new variety. Mr Hufcton (Ofcahuhu) warned tbe delegates against the introduction of American seedlings, owing to liability to introduce pests, especially black rot. Mr Campbell (New South Wales) thought too much stress had bfen placed upon theeffeot of the stock upon fruit. The fertilisation of flowers had more to do with the flavour of tha fruit than an j thing e)s?. Several other delegates also took part in the diecu^iop, which *as mottly of a teohnical character. Votes of thanks were passed to the authors of both papers. FRUIT CDLTDBE AT TEVIOT The next paper was read by Mr M. B. Manuel, and was entitled •• Fruit Culture at Teviot, OtDgo.-" The writer traced tha development of the fruit industry in his district, and detailed tha steps that had been taken to open tip markets for thiir products. If they had railway communication to the Teviot;. district the industry would become a very large on«, especially as steps were now being taken to foster the dried and preserved branch of the trade. The district was now sending away over 400 tons of fre*h fruit a year, and besides this the district was extremely rich in lignite deposits, so that railway communication would ako have the effect; of opening up a large coal industry. Mr Williams (Victoria) thought tha question of opening up railway communication was a matter for -the Government of the colony, and nofc for this conference. Mr Piper (Nelson) considered the experience of the Teviot fruit-growera in the face of so many difficulties should encourage growers in other parts of the colony to persevere with the industry. Mr GiUep pie (Blenheim) thought it the duty of the conference to impress upon the Government the deairnbility of affording the Teviot district railway communication with outside maikefco. The Cbahman ruled that this was not a naftltsr that tbe conference could go into. Several other delegates nlao discussed the pnper, after which Mr Manuel received a vote of thanks. At 10 30 p.m. the conference ndjounaed till 2.30 Ic-morrow. The New Zealand delegates have arranged to meet in tha morning to discuss matters affecting the fruit industry in Ntw Zealand. Mr Uric (Teviot) has given notice to movfl— " That the cleansing of orchards be mp.de compulsory by law." It was decided that notices of motion' should not be discussed until all the papers had been* disposed of.