BLUEBERRY PLANTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3802, 25 January 1927, Page 31

BLUEBERRY PLANTS.

FURTHER IMPORTATIONS. NELSON, January 17. In connection with the blueberriei grown in Canterbury from plants which were brought from America some time ago by Dr Tillyard, chief biologist of the Cawthron. Institute, the doctor stated to-day that he had returned from America the other day more than ever impressed with the commercial value of blueberries. Immense quantities were being sent to the American markets and the demand was rapidly increasing in all the big cities. While in Washington Dr Tillyard purchased a further supply of plants, and these will be sent to New Zealand later in the year, and arrangements made for experimental tests. Dr Tillyard expressed great pleasure and interest in the fruiting of the blueberry at Belfast, and he is expecting early information concerning the remaining plants. CONDITIONS OF GROWTH. PALMERSTON N„ January 18. In connection with the report from Christchurch that the first blueberries grown in Canterbury were picked last Friday, the trees having originally been brought from America by Dr. distributed at Belfast, Lower Hutt, Invercargill, and Palmerston .North. Inquiries made elicited the information that -the local tree is not doing well owing to the unfavourable soil. Mr P. Black, curator of the Municipal Reserves, in whose garden the tree was planted, says that the blueberry favours sandy and peaty soil and needs plenty of water. Also, it must be planted adjacent to one of its kind. The blueberry needs a cold winter. He thought it would do well if grown in the National Park. The tree will not bear prolifically if grown by itself, and will produce about only half a dozen of the fruit.

SUCCESSFUL IN SOUTHLAND. INVERCARGILL, January 20. Regarding the cultivation of blueberry, in which Dr Tillyard, of the Cawthron Institution, is much interested, an Invercargill resident has three varieties which she imported from America three years ago. They are growing splendidly in her garden, and are giving every indication of a fine crop of fruit. Great interest is being taken in the trees, for the growth of which Southland appears to be specially adapted. The lady intends to propagate the plants, and start an orchard for com-i mercial purposes.