NATIONAL APPLE SHOW.

Otago Witness, Issue 3347, 8 May 1918, Page 11

NATIONAL APPLE SHOW.

(From our North Island Correspondent.) A GREAT DISPLAY OF FRUIT. Tho National Apple Show held last year at Dunedin and this year at Auckland is proving of immense value from an educatory standpoint, and this year’s exhibition is undoubtedly a splendid follower up to the big show held at Dunedin. The exhibition commenced at the old City Markets on Wednesday, and proved to he one of the most comprehensive exhibitions of fruit that has yet been seen in Auckland. The apple predominated, but there was a liberal display of pears and many other products ot tho orchard. Some regret was expressed that there were only two provincial displays—Canterbury and Auckland. Exhibitors from Canterbury pointed out that they were among those who were opposed to tho holding of the show this- year because of the continuance of the war, but when decision went against them they decided to assist, as far as lay in their power, to make the show a success, and with that object set to work to make a provincial display. What they complain of is the fact that the people who were in favour of a provincial show have not made a provincial display, and the provinces are only represented by district, displays. This, of course, eliminates much ef the competition with regard to provincial displays, and it was now reduced to two. The display on tho whole, however, is a very creditable one, and serves to show the big development that has taken place in the fruit-growing industry of the Dominion. Auckland province display made a striking demonstration of tho capabilities of the district. In addition to the exceptionally largo display of apples, the exhibit includes tropical* citrous and fruits, Japanese quinces, grapes, medlars, persimmons, locally-made wines, jams, and preserves. Central Otago orchardists wore we 1 ! represented, despite tho fact that the province itself made no display, and tho exhibit proved a most enthusiastic one. Tho feature of the exhibits was the applo section of 20 varieties of apples, chief amongst which were the Jonathan, Delicious, Cleopatra, and Munroe. The fruit was in a wonderfully sound condition considering the long journey traversed and tho handling attached thereto. For clean fruit of good colouring this exhibition commended itself to the public. Hawke’s Bay forwarded sonic 30 varieties, in addition to 45 entries from fruit-growers in the same district. It is claimed for the Hawke’s Bay Sturmer and Dougherty apples that they are the best-keeping dessert apples grown in the Dominion, The best late

keeping varieties on exhibition were the Balfaret Seedling, Stoned Pippins, and Washington. In addition to these were mid-season desserts, such as Delicious, Jonathans, Favourite, Yates, etc.; etc. _ The pears—a, delicious lot —were in a line by themselves, consisting of such choice samples as the P. Barry (a late pear that lasts until October), the Winter Nclis, Josephine, and De La Mines. -The Canterbury provincial display was also a magnificent one. It comprised principally Sturmers, Jonathans, and Wolseleys. There was a mound of Sturmers at the top of the exhibit, and this was surrounded by bands of +he other varieties. Pears were also well in evidence. It is of interest'to note that with regard to the plate exhibits in the show, of the 680 exhibits, 75 per cent oame from Canterbury and Otago. The wholo exhibit, indeed, was a credit to the southern province. GOVERNMENT DISPLAY. Among the features of the show was a magnificent display by the Agricultural Department, comprising the products of the horticultural stations at Tauranga, To Kauwhata, and Arataki. The exhibit was made up largely of apples, pears, honey, and wines. The apples and the pears were of the commercial varieties, including those recommended for export in the southern hemisphere and the South American mavkots, and those recommended for the local market. Above the exhibit were two charts showing the increase in the area of trees X-lanted in New Zealand since the year 1908, and the increase in the exports since that year. The acreage chart shows an increase of 21,097 acres during the nine years under "review. The other chart makes somewhat different reading. The exports in 1908 stood at 1236 cases, which had risen in 1915 to 62,164 cases Owing to the lack of slipping, however, 'hese fell in 1916 to 19,246 cases, rnd for the year 1917 they were nil.