THE FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY,

Otago Witness, Issue 2705, 17 January 1906, Page 8

THE FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY,

THIS SEASON'S PROSPECTS. In the course of an interview with Mr A. Moritzson, of the firm of Moritzson and Co., regarding the prospects of this season's fruit crop, that gentleman very kindly placed at the disposal of our reporter his personal observations, gathered during a recent visit to the principal fruitgrowing localities in Otago; and Mr L. Moritzson, who has just returned from a 'visit to Nelson Province, also reported first-hand impressions of the fruit prospects in the northern portion of the Middle Island. In Nelson Province Mr L. Moritzson found that in the great majority of the orchards the whole of the stone fruit crop, such as cherries, plums, apricots, and peaches, had been more or less badly damaged by late frosts and bad weather. Apricots in particular had suffered to such an extent that the amount available for marketing would be practically very small. The raspberry crop, usually regarded in this district as the premier crop had also fallen short of last years " production, the estimated shortage being 80 tons This is to some extent compensated for- by the prolific yield of tomatoes, which, although a very late crop this year, is much heavier than usual. Although large areas have been brought under cultivation during recent years, a season such as the one just experienced makes an appreciable difference in the supplies available for local markets, which consequently have a hardoning tendency. In North Canterbury and Waimate districts the fruit crop is fully up to tho usual average in every respect, the present season, although somewhat backward, being favourable to OichardUts on the whole. ' . Mr A. Moritzson stated that he had just returned from a tour through the fruitgrowing region in Otago, having visited every orchard from Miller's Flat to Coal Creek, and from Alexandra through Earnsdough Fht onwards as far as Clyde. Mr Moutzson found all the orchards, without exceptiin, in a very high state of cultivation. Thanks to the many visits of Mr Blackmore, the Government Pomologist, fruitgrowers generally appear to have realised th« advantage and profit to be derived from systematic cultivation and spraying as a safeguard against the ravages of insect pe«t«. As a natural consequence, fruit trees in the districts visited by Mr Moritzson wpre found to be clean and healthy, carrying in most orchards ex ceptionally hea\y crops of choice fruit. There was no sign of blight, fungus or leaf-curl, and with one or two small exceptions the crop as a whole promises to be fully equal, if not superior, to that of la=t season. Tl>e exceptions referred to apply to several small orchards in the Roxburgh district, where the Fi^all biriis played havoo with the fruit buds and blossom I before the fruit l>ad t-et. So complete was their destruction that on a large number of trees there was absolutely no eie;n of fruit whate\er, a result solely due to feathered pests, of which the sparrow was perhaps the worst offender. Mr Moritzson was delighted with the progress made by settlers on the newly-acquired Moa Flat

Estate. Settlers were pushing on the work of cultivation with the utmost vigour, fruit culture coming in for a good share of attention. Everything looked spick and span, with promise of a bountiful harvest. The orohards in Alexandra and Clyde districts looked at their best, aud as many of them were erstwhile barren wastes their present profusion is conclusive evidence of | what can be produced by irrigation in the districts referred to. So engrossed did Mr Moritzson become whilst on this theme that his genial face fairly glowed with enthusiasm. "Mr Sheehy's orchard in the Clyde Gorge was a really magnificent sight," said Mr Moritzsou, " Others worthy of more than passing notice were those of Messrs R. Dawson, William Noble, James Bodkin, Ah Wye, and Lye Bow, and unless one has actually seen these fine orchards it is difficult to realise what hard work, enterprise, and water can accomplish. Now, a good deal had been heard of late concerning the fruit-canning industry, and, if you will permit me, I would like to refer specially to this important industry. In my opinion," continued Mr Moritzson, '• it is of vital importance to the district, and especially to growers. Instead of. glutting the market or allowing the fruit to go to waste, it is now sent to the canning factory, and although last season's operations were not _ altogether a financial success from a dividend point of view, the factory, amply justified its existence. The reason for the loss was due to the fact that the amount of fruit sent to the factory by growers was too small for the capacity of the works, and the output was too small to cover the initial cost of the factory. I think it was a bad policy .to .charge all expenses-against-the first year's transactions ; the cost of starting the industry should have been, in my opinion, spread over a period, say, of five years in equal proportions. But , although the factory did not earn direct f dividends as anticipated, growers benefited indirectly, inasmuch as it helped to raise the" market value of fruit in the city markets. The directors realise that it is in the best interests of the growers, and have decided to continue operations, and an effort will be made to largely increase the output and thereby I reduce working expenses proportionately, and this will naturally enhance tho value of the remainder of the crop. I think it would be suicidal if fruitgrowers allowed the canning works to close down owing to lack of raw material, therefore it behoves every grower in the district to support the factory first and market the remainder. Our firm are agents for the factory products, and, with the exception of a few cases of apricots, the whole of last season's output has been disposed of. There is a constant and growing demand foi canned peaches, pears, and pie- fruits, but so far the factory has not been able to core with thu demand. Now that the Government appears to be in earnest in pushing on with the Lawrence-Roxburgh railway, the prospects for these districts are getting very bright indeed, and the fearful disI advantages which the settlers have laboured under are gradually being removed. After observing the good work accomplished by } the Otago Central League, I trust that th© j recently-formed Lawrence-Roxburgh Railway League will prove equally successful in agita-tlng for the rapid construction of,, this important* line. I trust also that the Central Otago League will continue to i agitate until the Central Otago railway reaches Hawea- Flat. There they have a magnificent back country, which will grow — I was going to say anything ' from a needle to an anchor.' But look at the difficulties in the way of transportation at the prtsent time. I have seen three and four years' successive crops Eta-nding in the stacks owing to excessive cost of carriage to a market. It costs one shilling per bushel to cart grain to Omakau and fourpence per bushel railage thence to , Dunedin, so you will see that growers have very little encouragement for their toil." Asked as to the grain crops, Mr Moritzsor> said : '' Crops, on the whole, are looking very w<»l] indeed, but it is anticipated that the barley output will be much less than in previous yeai«, consequently Dunedin buyers are already turning their attention to Nelson and Blenheim with a. view to operating for this year's supply." From present indications the yield of apricots and peaches in South Canterbury, which early in the season gave promise of being a very heavy one, will only be of moderate dimensions, owing to recenfc | frosts. This H the opinion of Mr J. C. Blackmore, Government pomologist, who hae been visiting the district. Mr Blackmore states that the plum crop seems to be a pcor one generally, while that of the ■ pear varies from moderate to very good in [ different localities. Apples, on the whole, promise a fairly good yield. Hastings fruitgrowers forwarded by rail to Wellington and Wanganui on Wednesday 12£ tons of fruit. This is the largest consignment yet sent in any one day. The head gardener at the Frimlcy orchards (Hastings) estimates that this season's output of peaches will be 300 tons, and prunes and plums another 50 tons. Thn grape vines have ne\er looked better, and give promise of an abundant crop. i During five working days at the Frimle~v orchards 2277 ca=es of peaches passed through the packing sheds, representing 22| tons weight.