FRUIT-GROWING.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume I, Issue 78, 8 May 1914, Page 8

FRUIT-GROWING.

WHEN EAST MEETS WEST.

One of the most attractive displays made at the recent Horticultural Society's Show was a collection of fruit, vegetable, and farm roots, grown upon the West Coast. The fruit display was specially good, many varieties of apples in the collection far surpassing the locally grown competitive exhibits. Tlie exhibit was brought over by Mr A. H. Wheeler, of Rotomanu, in order to demonstrate to people this side of the range that the Coast is capable of growing excellent fruit and root crops. The apples were gathered from Westport in the north, to Ruatapu, near Ross, in the south. The former were grown on Pakihi lands. Seven of the swedes weighed 1141b, and were certainly quite up to Canterbury grown roots this year. The Northern Spy, Northern Aromatic, Worcester Pearmain, and Rhymers apples were declared by experts to be perfect specimens, and if such fruit is grown 011 the Coast it will suit the export market. The bar to this and other industries 011 the Coast is the absence of rail facilities, and it is in this connection that the value of the Otira tunnel will be felt when completed. There are already a couple of commercial orchards planted on the Coast, Messrs Bloxam and Coombs having 60 acres near Reeften, and Mr Wilson 20 acres at Cameron's, some few miles south of Greymouth. Both these orchards are devoted to growing pip fruits, which the local market absorbs. The Agricultural Department has planted test acre orchards at Paroa, Reefton, and Rotomanu, with the object of deciding what varieties will do best. A few more dessert varieties suited to the soil and climate arc required, according to Mr W. J. Courtier, Government Orchard Instructor, to place the industry upon a sound basis.

Accompanying Mr Wheeler are several other West Coast farmers who are interested in introducing progressive ideas to the Coast. A number of. Canterbury fruilt-growers purpose visiting the districts over the range at an early date, in order to give the fruit-growing business a lift over there. During their stay in Canterbury t.h§ West Coast visitors Xave been shown over various orchards and places of interest to farmers, including Mr F. Sisson's orchard and cool stores at Papanui, and the Belfast Freezing Works.