FRUIT TESTING ACRE.

Waipa Post, Volume VI, Issue 264, 14 November 1913, Page 3

FRUIT TESTING ACRE.

The proposals of the Agricultural Department for the establishment of a fruit testing acre were considered by the Chamber of Commerce at last Tuesday's meeting, and it was resolved that the Council of the Chamber ascertain what land is available for the purpose and submit all offers to the Department for the acceptance of the one considered to be most suitable. In accordance with this resolution the Chamber officially invites offers of land to-day.

The following is a summary of the conditions upon which the testing acre is established : The Agricultural Department is to be allowed the use of one acre of land for seven years.

The trees are provided and planted by the Department. > The land owner cultivates the land and sprays the trees.

The orchard instructor regularly prunes the trees and supervises the orchard work done.

The fruit grown on the land is the property of the land owner. At the expiration of the seven years the orchard, which will have been kept well pruned and cultivated under the expert supervision of the Department's officers becomes the property of the land owner. ' The' purpose for which this test acre is to be planted is to determine upon those varieties of fruit which are most suitable to this district. Already the Chamber is in receipt of several offers of land.