The Aorangi Nursery.

Woodville Examiner, Volume XXII, Issue 3874, 16 May 1906, Page 3

The Aorangi Nursery.

By Mr A. R. Mayo’s advertisement in another column, it will be noticed that he is teady to fill orders for the forthcoming planting season. Mr Mayo has forwarded the following interesting account of a visit paid by a reporter of the Feilding Star to the Aorangi Nursery. The reporter says : It was an agreeable surprise to see such an extensive and well-kept nursery, which is not only a credit to the community, but also to the owner, who evidently realises that cultivation and cleanliness is the secret of success as far as fruit growing is concerned. Hardly a weed of any description is visible. The healthy appearance of the long row of trees • for planting is a striking feature. One section of the nursery contains abont an acre of young shelter trees, and amongst others the Maorocarpa, Pinos Insignua and Finus Muricala are greatly in evidence. They are all well rooted and hardy, and having been- root pruned, are one mass of fibrous roots, which ensured a speedy ; Strike when transplanted. This is one of the reasons why Mr Mayo’s trees have met with Such success in former seasons. Mr Mayo has laid himself out extensively to supply the wants of the district in shrubs suitable for hedge planting in gardens, etc. Here the representative noticed a number of golden and silver Holly,

Box, Elegnus Japonioa, Escalonia, Laurels and Olearia Traversi. Tbe latter shrub is very- hardy, and specially adapted to stand the salt winds. A great number of trees suitable for avenue planting will also be found at the Nursery. Tbe Hobina Acacia also calls for special mention. This handsome tree is used largely in America, being very durable. It is

also of an ornamental nature, and a quick grower. Proceeding to the fruit trees, it would be useless to attempt to describe the different varieties, for in every part of the Nursery one is confronted with spaces entirely covered with young fruit trees of various ages. Customers can pi ocnre trees of any age, and a speciality is made of three-year-old trees which bear quickly after planting. It was also surprising to notice the number of two-year trees, some loaded with large and juicy fruit, which, needless to say, our representative took the precaution to sample. One plot contains 8000 apple trees, which, Mr Mayo states, will all be disposed of this season. A specialty is made of the Sturmer Pippin, which is a firstclass dessert appl J , a heavy bearer, and a profitabl plant. Pear, peach, quince and plum trees are also greatly in evidence, and the collection in this respect is most complete. Blight is a pest that is practically unknown with Mr Mayo, owing to the continual treatment which the trees receive. As a guarantee of this we have only to refer to the remarks of the Government Expert, Mr A. G. Simms, who stated (hat he had not seen a better kept place in the colony. A good deal more might easdy be said about the Nursery, but space does not permit.