NEW ZEALAND FRUIT

Otago Witness, Issue 3755, 2 March 1926, Page 28

NEW ZEALAND FRUIT

A MAGNIFICENT DISPLAY. Practically all New Zealand fruit-pro* ducing areas have contributed towards the magnificent fruit display in the New Zealand Government Pavilion, and the bay of the Department of Agriculture, where the luscious samples have been placed, is now one of the most interesting in the pavilion. Visitors have noticed from time to time that many additions have been made to the courts and displays in the New Zealand Government Pavilion, for, as the Commissioner (Mr J. W. Collins) said on Friday, ihe departments are doing their utmost to keep the exhibits fresh, interesting, and up-to-date in every way. This latest exdmple of the excellent display work by the officials of the Agriculture Department is a great tribute to the fruit-growing areas of the Dominion, and the array of perfect fruit specimens will have great value in advertising Dominion produce of this class. The great change in the Horticultural Section is due to the fact that in the first month or so of the Exhibition the fruit was obtained from cool stores, and was the product of last season. Even this fruit, after nine months' existence, has received favourable comment from expert visitors, although it does not possess the bloom and fresh appearance of this season's varieties. Apples, lemons, plums, apricots, tomatoes, peaches., and oranges are now in the display, while walnuts and hazel nuts are also exhibited. Apples of the Worcester Pearmain variety from the orchards of Central Otago catch the eye immediately the bay is reached, and beside them, lemons of excellent size and quality have been provided by the Bay of Plenty. A particularly fine sample of Emperor Alexander apples packed in the New Zealand export case is also on exhibit, and the new portion of the bay. Outstanding in size and quality are the apricots, many of which weigh half a pound, and there are three or four cases of peaches in perfect bloom and condition. There are also cases of Blue Diamond plums, many as large as duck's eggs. Auckland has contributed Seville oranges and lemons. Of tie ;ast season’s fruit from the cool stores the Stunner and Tasman apples must be admired for the good condition in which they are to-day, showing that for export purposes they arc amongst the most satisfactory varieties.