Third Day—May 7.

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

Third Day— May 7.

The Intercolonial Fruit Conference resumed at 10 a.m.

The Chairman regretted that the discussion on papers dealing with the vine culture had not taken place. He suggested that the New Zealand del' g«t^s should arrange for a discussion amongst tht-m*elves. PROFITABLE FRUITS. Mr J. Williams (Victoria) read a paper oa "Profitable Fruits," whioh dealt with the qualities best suited for market, export, drjing, and jam making. He stated that from an apple orchard of three acres in extent fruit valued at £800 had been raised in a year. In the discussion that followed several delegates contond< d that the kind? suitable for one district were unsuitable for another. Mr Gubb (Aucklaud) said that apricoba have been profitably raised in the Thames Valley, five trees yielding £37 yearly. Mr Carpenter (Christchurch) txpressed surprise that the Royal George and the Glendining speoie3 of peaches were not more generally cultivated, the latter being a very profitable kind. Mr Fowler (Femberbon) wac 01 opinion that small frnit was the most profitable bind to cultivate. Mr Beetham (Wairarapa) looked upon grapes as a profitable fruit both for table and wine-making purposes. Mr Campbell (New South W*le3) thought the black Hamburg grape would be found most suitable for cultivation in New Zealand, ecpecislly in the Auckland district;. Mr Maokie (Auckland) advocated pears and Japanese plums as profitable fruits for cultivation. Oranges paid well in the north. The Chairman expressed the opinion that there was a large opening for a prune industry in New Zealand. Sever«l other delegates also spoke. la replying, Mr Williams said that in order to dispose of the overplus frnit the Victorian grower made it into pulp, which when boiling war sealed down. He expressed dissatisfaction with New Zealaud peaches, and did not approve of the Royal George as a profitable kind to grow. ' Mr Williams was accorded a vote of thanks. HANDLING FRUIT. The Rev. B. H. Thompson (of Tasmania) contributed a paper on " Handling Fruit in Tasmania." The writer thought tha best fruit should be wrapped in paper, and the caees should also be papered, as every additional handlisg depreciated the value of the fruit. As to cultivation, it was now recognised that every particular kind -, pf tree must be treated ou its merits.

Mr W. B. Sboobridge (Tasmania) forwarded a paper on the "Transit of Fruit to Great Britain." _ He referred to the great loss sustained by growers by .the damage of fruit on board ship, pointing out that this loss represented a very large sum in the course of a year. Great care should be taken in picking and selecting fruit for export. In order to get apples to the London market at the most suitable time it was now necessary to pick apples very early in the season — in faut before they were fully grown. The writer referred at lengbh to the question of temperature for ftuib onboard «t earners, and showed how the loss in this connection could be guarded against. There should b# thorough ventilation throagb

every part of the hold, and fresh air should circulate freely. These two papars were discussed together.

Mr Fowler (Pemberton) said he had found it inadvisable to pack different varieties of apples in one case. Mr Beecroffi (Auoklaud) said tha prices ruling for most fruit would not admit of its being packed in paper before being s -at to market. Mr Ritchie (New Znaland Agricultural department) suggested that a brick building with hollow walls, ventilated with pipes, and covered with thatch, wood, or iron, as suitable for the 000 l storage of fruit. Mr Blackmore (New Zealand Government pomolojjbt) said that by attention to oertain rules apples and pears could be kept in good condition. There mast bs a uniform temperature of not more thsn 50d?g or 55deg, and there should bo a perfeob stillness in the cool chamber and absence of lighb and draught. Tha Cb.airin.in said that the principal thing was to k«ep the draught away, otherwise it would ot*u?o the fruit to shrivel. It would always p&y to briug fruit to market in the bett potmible ttatie, and he disagreed with those who contended that it would nos pay to pack fruit iv pnp-r. Mr Sissons (Christchuroh) intimated th%b it the Government were willing to t&ke charge of an experimental shipment for England the Canterbury growers were willipg t') feupply the fruit. Mr Ritchie said, on behalf of the Miuubar for Agriculture, that he was almost sure the Government would be willing to undertake this, bub when an expevimeatal shipment had been mooted on previous occasions the amount of fruit offered was so small that it would not warrant tbe nh'pping compauies in preparing proper cool chambers for its carriage. Mr Bl*c'<mora said if it was intended to make an experimental shipment, at least 2000 cases should bo provided. Votes of thanks were passed to the authors of the papers. FOREIQN OUTLETS FOR FRUIT. Mr George Neilson (Victoria) read a piper on •• Foreign Outlets for Fruit," treating the subject; from the standpoint of a Victorian exporter. * CO-OPIRATIOW. Mr A, Lorio (Teviot) read a paper on " Cooperation in Marketing Fruit." In it ha detailed the circuimtacces that had led up to the formation of th& Teviot and Alexandra Fruit-growers Company (Limited) in 1891-92, end showed how the company was now carried 00. The first attempts to consolidate the Tevio l ; fruitgrowers had resulted in a failure, but success eventually crowned the efforts of the promoters of the movement iv spite of the great) difficulties that had to be Overcome. In the disou'siou that followed approval waa expressed of the system adopted in the Teviot district, and Mr Lorio's abilities in organising the company were universally praised. A northern delegate said the excellent organisation existing in Teviot; was badly wanted in the north. Mr Piper (Nelson) said the Teviob Association was a practic.il illustration of what could be accomplished by combination. Mr. Avery (Nelson) would bo pleased to sea Mr Lorie in the Nelson district to organise the fruit - growers. Mr Hutchinga .(Woodville) thought the formation of companies like the Teviot Company would strike a fatal blow at the monopoly held by the Chinese in the New Zealand fruit aud vegefcabla trade. Several other delegates also spoke, after whioh tbe author received a vote of thanks. NOTICES. Mr Hutbon (Auckland) gave notice to move— "That the Governments of Aastrakfiia should by legislation pievept ihe introduobion either on fruit or trees of fruit peats."

Mr Barker (Gftraldiae) gave notice to move— " Tha<; a ballot ba taken of the 12 best varieties of apples and pears found most suitable for various districts."

At 5 p.m. the conference adjourned till 7 p.m. The conference resumed at 7 p.m« FRUIT-DRYING.

Mr F. C. Smith (Sydney) submitted a paper on tha "Progress of Fruit-drying in South Australia." The writer stated thab-during the ' last few years the f mi t-d eying industry in th*t colony had m«de vast strides, and now provided a fair miugiu of pronb. '

In the course of the discussion on the paper Mr Palmer (New Zealand Government pornologist) predicted a great future for the fmifc industiy iv this colony. Me Williams (Victoria) said that if he oould get Id per pound for his best peaches and apricota he would never go in for drying any more fruit. He also declared thit the Mtldura district alone cou'd supply all the fresh fruit that was required in Victoria. Mr Beccroft (Auckland) said there was practically no market for dried apples, and it was better to give apples to piga than to dry them. Oner delegates said it was evidently a peor outlook for New Zea'and in tbe fruit-drying line. Mr Piper (NeUon) suggested there was an opening in tha fruit-canning industry. Mr Carrie (Auckland) pointed out that in Western Australia, where almost every brand was on the market, Auckknd-evaporated fruit and vegetables were in great demand.

A vote of thanks was accorded to Mr Smith for his paper. Mr Lorie (Dunedin) gave notice to move— 11 That in the opinion of this conference fruifcdrying is not sufficiently remunerative to warrant people settling on the land with a view to deriving a living from it." Mr Williams (Victoria) said that the motion might as well be consigned to the waste-paper babktt. Mr Lorie said he wanted an expression of opinion on the subject. The Chairman said although the motion was not a satisfactory one he could not rule it out ef order. At 10 p.m. the conference adjourned till 10 a.m. nexb day.

Fourth Day—May 8., Tha Intercolonial Fruit Conference met at 10 a m. OUT OF OBDER. Mr Mitchell (Christchnrch) desired to give notice of -motion that the Government bo requested to introduce a bill restricting the immigration of Chinese by an increase of the polltax to £100. The chairman ruled the motion out of order. INSECT PFSTS. Mr <J, 0. Blfcckmore, New Zealand (govern*

meat pomologisb, read a paper on the " General Results of the Syptemntio Spraying with Insecticides and Fungicides." The writer stated that unsuccessful result* from tbe application of ineeoticidea and fungicides w«re due to neglect in following out the instructions laid down. He referred to tbe unreliability of patent preparatio&s, and give a formula of preparations for treating scale or apple blight, American blight, and other fungus and pestn. Speaking of the codlin moth, he said the South Island was freer from It than the North. He advocated the introduction of legislation making the" spraying of infeoted ground compulsory. He insisted that the work of ckanaing or chords was in tain if not carried out universally and regularly. He reoommended the following wash for the codlin moth :— Lime, 601b; salt, 151b; sulphur, 201b; caustic poUkh, 2b ; and water, 60 gallons. Boil thoroughly till the mixture is amber ia colour. He «*id this waa tffioakiious in the destruction of the larvse of the moth. Mr A. A Smith (Ashburton) read a short paper entitled " JSuppt ession of Orchard Pents." He fclronijly urged the paseing of restrictive legislation to compel growers to keep ttielr orchards thoroughly clean, and also t? regalfite the importation of fruit to provide against the introduction of pf sfcs. Mr C. Fuller (assistant enkmologist, Now Scfulh Wales) submitted a paper on "Inecob Friends," dealing with, the various speoiea of insects whioh preyed upon orchard pests. Mr Geo. Brownlie read a paper entitled " Spraying Fruib Trees." Mr J. Allan (Waitaki) submitted a paper on the same snbjeob.

In tho conrse of the dieouscion that followed Mr Kirk (New Zealand Govern msnt biologist), in retiring to the disinfecting of old fruit oases' by emersion in boiling w»t«r,.»s advocated by a writer of one of the paperx, said it would be neoessary to add some cauetie mateiial to the water. For his own part, be would like to see tbe use of old cases prohibited altogether, A bill ia the direction advocated in Mr Smith's paper was being prepared by tbe Agricultural d^partrueot, and it would also deal with the transit of fruit. A draft of the bill would ba circulated among the various societies interested. He sincerely hoped that local feeling would not be nllowed to v interfere wirh the general principles of the bill. Mr Grubb (Auoklaud) said that spraying was unsuccessful in dealing with the codlin moth in the Aucklaud district. Mr Avory (Nelson) pointed out;. that the fruit-growers in Nelson were discontinuing spraying with Paris green, as it was found to be detrimental to the trees when used for a number of years. Ho believed the oprilin moth vrould be exterminated in five years provided stringent) measures were used. Some delegate* gave instances in which spraying bad killed tho natural enemy of the codlin mot,h, and thus allowed tha pest to thrive. They would the- cf ore oppose compulsory spraying. Mr Bsetham (Masterton) said it wag ridiculous to prohibit tho introduction of vines into New Zealand and yet allow the phylloxera pest to exist in the colony. They had plenty of evidence that phylloxera existed ia a small area in tho Auckland district, and one of their expcrU had visited the locality within tho last few wet ka. This pe«t »bcu'd ba stamped out forthwith. Other delegates »aid the greatest judgment bad to be exercised in spraying otherwise the trees would bo killed. Mr Neilßon (Victoria) said he had used 50 different cures for the codlin moth, but had found nothing to equal Paris green. Mr Campbell (New South Wales) said there was abundant evidence in that colony of" th« beneficial effect of sprayitig, and be was strongly in favour of compulsory spraying. He bad never kuown pprnying to destroy the foliage of the trees as had been asserted by some of the New Zealand delegates. Mr Ritchie (Ntw ZeaUnd Department of Agriculture) explained with regard to the existence of phylloxera in the Auckland district that he had visited tha infeoted locality last year and found the pest ia two small private vineries. He made an offer to the owners to clear the whole lot cut, but, unfortunately, before the terms were accepted the disease was found in one or two other small vineyards. Had the outbreak been confined to the vineries the department would have paid any reasonable compensation to bave had the Tines destroyed. A bill to be introduced next session would deal with the eradication of these pests, and as soon as it became law stringent ' steps would betaken to enforce its proyuion». The Chairmsn spoke very »trongly in Favour 0? the introduction of a billon the lines detailed by Mestrs K'rk and Ritchie. After further discussion on the merits of spraying, the authors of the papers were accorded votes of thanks.

A short discussion took place on the cultivation of the vine in New Zealand. At 's p.m. tha conference adjourned till 7.30 p.m. On resumirig at 7 30, CLEANSING ORCHARDS.

Mr Lorie (Dunedin) moved— "That the eleane« ing of orchards from pest* be made compulsory by law and nob optional as at present." Me Adams (Pahiatna) seconded the motion. The Chairman explained that the motion was a recommendation to the Govtroments to legislate in that direction. New Zealand voted unanimously in favour of the motion, and the delegates of other colonies, while not voting, expressed themselves in sympathy with the motion. MISCELLANEOUS. It was resolved that the Department oE Agriculture receive from the various fruit and floral associations a list of the best varietiet of apples, pears, and plums suitable for culture, and that such results be tabulated and published. A resolution that the conference place on record its appreciation of the liberal rates ab which the Government of New Zealand convey, fruit on the colonial railways was caried. ' It was unanimously resolved that a museum, as suggested in the New Zealand Government biologist's report of 1894-1895, be e&tabSished. On the suggestion of Mr Ritchie, tho question of fixing a place for the next conference, was lef b in the hands of Mr Campbell (Sydney) and Mr Corrie (Queensland). • A motion expressing gratitude for the at* tendance of the visitors was carried by acolama* tion. . Mr Hutton (Auckland) moved—" That it U the bounden duty of tha Australasian Qrowemm

meats to take steps to prevent the Introduction of ipsect pests by fruit or fruifc trees." — Car-

tied. The queatiou of iJi-- -'Z of tiuit Cj.se i created Some discussion. O« ih-: motion of MrAvery {Nelson) that it be 28 n long, 14in wide, and Tin high several members of the recent New Zealand Conference denied that that size had been adopted at that conference, while others deciftiMtV it had. After a good deal, of baoter on tho part of the visitors fir Baetham (W*f rarapu) moved 1 that the question be Mt to the next conference, and this was carried amid derisive cheers. A motion expressing g'&titude to Mi- B tiley (Queensland) for his exhibit, of pttraitifcic fungi was carried unanimously. A vote of thanks to the Government for its conrte»y to tho delegates was carried amidst cheers Mr Ritchie replied on behalf of the Government, expressing the pleasure of himself and Staff at seeing, the delegates there, and assured them that his department would do all in their power to advance the industry. He trusted the conference would be an incentive to New Zf aland' to go ahead and establish experimental stations. Hb regrettsd that they hsd little opportunity of ckowing the delegates what they had, been doing over here, aud apologised for any short«onolvg».

A vote of thanks «. as .accorded to the Australian dekg*t> s fur judging the exhibits at the fruit show. Mr Corrie (Queeualand), replying, stated that (he fx'uit waa badly stag«d t and some of the apples there should not have been allowed on the ' table. If there was a bad apple it was generally placed on top, and he advised New ZesJ&ndfrs,. if tht-.y intended to send' exhibits to the"other colonies, to send a better selection, us the grading and packing was not what it should have been. Me Blaokmoce (Government pouiologi&t for the Soitfh Island of New Zealand) defended the grading of the fruit with wbich he was connected, but admitted that the packing, whioh he had not i-up-rintended, was not what it sbonld have been. Votes of thanks were patsed to the Australian Governments for sending delegates,, to the chairman, to Mr Ritchie and his staff, to the pomologisto, to ftie secretary, and to tte press. At. 9.45 the conference closed. The deUgttei visit Bfftisterfcon to morrow.

Wblungton, Bf*y 10. The' delegates to the Fruit' Conference visited Maatertdn yesterday, wfcere they were entertained by Mi Boetham. They subsequently visited the Acnlim»tisation Society's ponds. They expressed themselves highly pleased with thedistriotandat the 1 oonrtesy of the Goverame&fc in rrrwiging for. the excuraion. May 11. A. deputation repteaenting the Intenoolomal Froit-growera' Conference waited on the Premier this afternoon and cordially thanked th« Govemmenk for the kindness, courte*y, and assistanM extended to the delegates by the Department off Agriculture. They especially expressed pleasure at the faot that, a full report of the proceedmgß at the conference was to ba printed. Some of the delegates observed that the colonies would soon gsow sufficient fruit to carry on a large' export trade, in whioh. case it would be necsssaiy.' for the-, various, colonies to Combine and work together.