FRUITGROWERS.

Sun (Christchurch), Volume VI, Issue 1785, 3 November 1919, Page 10

FRUITGROWERS.

CANTERBURY ASSOCIATION. On Saturday evening the monthly meeting of the Canterbury Fruitgrowers' Association was held. Mr H. Wyatt presided. A letter was received from Mr G. Witty, M.P., stating that he had brought the matter of securing more shipping space before the Prime Minister, who had replied that he would use his endeavours to bring this about. He was communicating with the Imperial Government, and also with the oversea shipping companies, with a view to getting better facilities, and the result of the inquiries would be published in due course., In reply to a question, Mr J. Longton stated that the matter of charging for fruit cases had been discussed by the prchardisla* Cooperative Association at Dunedin, who formerly had charged sixpence each for cases, giving a refund when the cases were returned. It had now been decided to charge a fiat rate of fourpence per case, which need not be returned. It was decided to ailirm the principle of, charging for cases. Mr J. Longton brought up the subject of the embargo placed on Australian stone fruit trees. The nurserymen naturally desired the embargo to be kept on, but the growers were against it, as they, were unable to get tiic trees they needed. The nurserymen stnted that they could grow all the trees necessary in two years. Kvcn if this were so, however, there was another aspect of the case, which was tiiat the Australian trees were much superior to those of New Zealand. The chairman said there was no doubt that growers were being handicapped by the embargo, and at present not even buds could be obtained. Mr Longton thought it high time that the restrictions were lifted, and the Government notified to th-'s effect. A motion on these lines, including also pip fruit, was carried. Mr A. 15. Lowe delivered a lecture on "Some Problems of Fruitgrowing." Mr Lowe stated that, with regard to the question of stocks, it was open to doubt whether spy was • the best for apples. It seemed liable to root rot and crown gall. Regarding fertility, Mr Lowe said that reports published showed that numerous varieties of fruits were self-sterile. It hud also been demonstrated that wind-borne pollen was not effective over any distance, fertility being mostly brought about by the assistance of insects. It was inadvisable to plant large blocks of any one variety of the different kinds of fruit. Fungoid and insect pests could hardly be called natural diseases, as they were almost entirely caused by outside influence, such as unsuitable soil, aspect, etc., or by being carried through pruning tools used on infected trees. Mr Lowe then passed on to the treatment necessary to combat some of the worst pests. Dealing with spraying and spraying materials, Mr Lowe said that a large waste occurred yearly, and much damage was done from these sources. Copper washes were not suitable for some varieties, such as Cox's Orange. The Jonathan was susceptible, too. A certain wash was excellent for cleaning trees and controlling both insect and fungoid pests, but it required Careful making and using. It was no use to spray when there were no insects, and not much use when fungus had taken possession. Mistakes were often made in that people would use a fungoid spray fon insects, and vice versa. In conclusion, Mr Lowe suggested that the association should encourage the raising of new varieties of fruit more suited to the New Zealand climate, and should appoint a research committee to go into the problems he had dealt with, and gather all available information, publishing the deflnitc results.