FRUIT-CROWING IN OTAGO CENTRAL

West Coast Times, 23 June 1909, Page 1

FRUIT-CROWING IN OTAGO CENTRAL

Some interesting information was given by Mr J. C. Blackmore to a Christchurch reporter in the course of an interview the other day when the Government promologist reviewed the results of the last fruit season. No less than 2500 tons he said, had been gathered in the Teviot District, a record crop, and the quality was very fine as the growers worked on a thorough system of pruning and spraying combined with tillage. Mr Blackmore then went on to say: "Personally I believe that there is no other district in the Dominion which will be able to compete with Central Otago for its_ high-quality Apricots and Peaches as its soil and climate conditions are so eminently suited for the production of these fruits." Perhaps you wonder where all these tons of fruit went to. A very large quantity was purchased by Messrs Irvine and Stevenson's St. George Coy., of Dunedin, for the manufacture of jams and preserved fruits. Of Apricots alone the Company preserved no less than 100 tons. Many of these have been preserved as "pie" fruits, that is fruits for making into pies, puddings, fruit custards, etc. The specially fine ones have been preserved in a heavy syrup as "Desert Fruits." As Mr Blackmore says there is a lusciousness, a deliciousness of flavour about the Central Otago 'fruits that is not found elsewhere, and these have been preserved in such a way as to enchance the natural richness of the fruit.