THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XII, Issue 3, 20 March 1916, Page 205

THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

VARIETIES FOR EXPORT AND LOCAL MARKETS.

J. A. CAMPBELL,

Assistant Director, Horticulture Division.

For a number of years past substantial areas planted in fruittrees have been annually added to those already existing in the Dominion, but a special impetus was given to orchard planting about the year 1909, when a large area of comparatively cheap land in the Nelson District was made available for orcharding purposes. Subsequently other districts adopted a similar scheme to that introduced in the Nelson District for the control and management of new orchard properties, with the result that from 2,000 to 3,000 acres of new orchards have been planted yearly. • . Present indications are that this rate of ' increase is likely to continue for some time, and some idea of the annual increase in the fruit-production of the Dominion as a result can be gathered from the following : 3,000 acres of land planted, in fruit-trees at the rate -of 150 trees -per acre i equals ' 450,000 ; trees.; Calculating the yield when the trees are in -full- bearing, at. the modest estimate of two' i-bushel cases.'per. tree, gives a . total increase of 900,000 cases of fruit annually. Now, allowing, for failures, which , are more or.' less sure to. take place, in this as well as any other industry of the kind, by halving this total we still , have. 450,000 additional cases of . fruit ;to be , dealt .with every year. .. Multiply . this, by 7, and. we have a total : of 3,150,000 cases, the trees for. the production of which have been planted during the last. seven years., c We shall not, of. course, ■ feel' the effect of this increase, for several years to come, but' the trees planted in 1909 are now coming into bearing, and should in a year or two be producing fruit at the rate mentioned. From that time onward an annual increase equal to the above can be expected so long as the area is being, extended at the present rate. An industry making such rapid strides as this is worthy of and must require, very careful management from a Dominion point of view. The problems that necessarily have to be faced should be taken in hand and dealt - with as early as' possible, and the business thoroughly well organized and placed oh a sound footing in ample time to cope with the increased trade. Such problems no doubt will be found to be many and varied but one

which appears to be of the utmost importance z at the present time is the appointment of a New Zealand' representative to visit and report upon the various markets of the world likely to be of value to the fruit industry of New Zealand, such report to cover the means and cost of transit, season of the year when fruit is required, and the capacity of the market at a price which will allow a profitable margin over and above the cost of production. This is not only necessary in order to provide for a reliable outlet for our fruit in the future, but also to. ascertain approximately to what extent the present rate of orchard-extension can be continued with safety. One very important step has been made in the direction of more efficient organization of the industry in the form of a joint conference of representatives of fruitgrowers, nurserymen, and officers of the Department, held in Wellington during the latter end of last month, for the purpose of considering the best varieties of the different classes of fruits to recommend for extensive planting to serve - the possible markets of the future. Up to the present our most extensive market has been that of New Zealand itself. During the last few seasons this market has been greatly assisted and regulated by a limited export trade carried on with South America, but judging by the figures previously mentioned it is quite obvious that this cannot long continue. In a few years neither our local market nor the South American market, even though much more fully exploited than at present, will be able to absorb the amount of fruit then available. No doubt when this time arrives we shall be compelled to look to the Northern Hemisphere to provide the markets required. This means that past and present conditions will possibly be affected. Varieties considered suitable for. the markets available in the past may not profitably serve the markets of the future.

This aspect of the fruit industry has for some considerable time exercised the minds of the officers of the Department, many of whom have been advising against the overplanting of varieties unsuited for the European markets. It was recently considered that something more definite in the way of a warning and guidance should be issued, and a conference of Orchard Instructors representing the various districts of the Dominion was held last September, with a view to adopting lists of varieties of apples and pears to recommend for future planting. The lists recommended by the Conference, covering apples and pears for export to the markets of the Northern Hemisphere, South America, and for local purposes, were duly issued.

The matter was again brought up at the recent Nurserymen’s Conference as a result of a paper read by Mr. D. Hay, of Auck-

land, on the subject of the elimination of unnecessary varieties from general nursery stock. During the discussion which followed the reading of this valuable paper the work of the Orchard Instructors’ Conference was mentioned, and the lists of. varieties discussed, and practically approved. In order to strengthen the hands of the Department, however, and in, recognition of the importance of the question not only to the fruitgrower but to the nurseryman, it was ultimately arranged that a joint conference should be held to further consider the question. - The Conference was held at Wellington at the end of February, the following representatives being present:— ’ Fruitgrowers: Mr. J. Longton (Secretary, New Zealand Fruitgrowers’ Federation, Christchurch), Mr. J. G. Kay (Auckland), Mr. A. Moore (Hastings), Mr. A. P. Allport (Nelson), Mr. S. I. Fitch (Christchurch). Nurserymen: Mr. G. A. Green (Secretary, New Zealand Federation of Nurserymen, Auckland), Mr. R. T. Morrison (Auckland), Mr. Thomas Horton (Hastings), Mr. T. Waugh (Lower Hutt), and Mr. C. F. Ivory (Rangiora). Departmental Officers: Mr. T. W. Kirk (Director of r the Horticulture Division), Mr. J. A. Campbell (Assistant Director of the Horticulture Division), Mr. J. W. Collard (Orchard Instructor, Whangarei), Mr. A. B. Mansfield (Orchard Instructor, Auckland), Mr. W. J. Courtier (Orchard Instructor, Canterbury), and Mr. W. T. Goodwin (Orchard Instructor, Otago). During the deliberations much useful work was accomplished. The various aspects of 'the fruitgrowing industry and the markets relating thereto were fully considered, also the suitability of the various varieties of fruits recommended for future planting. The Conference wishes to point out to all intending planters of fruit-trees the great change that must necessarily take place in regard to the marketing of New Zealand fruit long before any trees planted from now onward come into bearing. By the time such trees come into bearing there is no doubt that the markets of the Northern Hemisphere will be providing our principal outlet. Any person intending to plant fruit-trees extensively, particularly apples, would therefore be well advised to . take this ’ factor into consideration and plant accordingly. As a guide to planters it should be generally known that the months of March, April, May, and . the early part of June cover the period which offers the best opportunities for the satisfactory disposal of New Zealand fruit on the markets of the Northern Hemisphere also that it takes seven weeks from the date of

shipment to land New Zealand fruit on the English markets. Considering these matters it is inadvisable to plant too extensively for the English markets any variety coming to maturity later than the middle of April. On this account the Conference is desirous of issuing a warning against very extensive planting of the Sturmei' Pippin. In regard to this apple, its many excellent qualities influenced the Conference in retaining it on the export lists, but the majority of delegates were clearly of the opinion that it comes in rather on the late side to warrant its extensive cultivation for the European markets. Again, the Conference wishes to point out that the early and mid-season varieties should be more largely planted than in the past, as such .fruit can be landed when the markets of‘the Northern Hemisphere are practically bare of apples, thus affording better opportunities of a ready sale. ■ The aim of the conference was . to . keep the lists of varieties recommended for future planting as low as practicable, at the same time selecting those varieties most suited for general planting throughout the Dominion; but. slight allowance had necessarily to be made to suit the conditions of the various districts. The following subjects were dealt with, and varieties recommended to. suit:—■ A ‘ (i.) Apples’ and pears for the Northern Hemisphere markets. (2.) Apples for South American markets. (3.) Apples, • pears, peaches, nectarines, plums, prunes, and 1 apricots for local markets. - - The varieties recommended are as follows : .

NORTHERN HEMISPHERE

DOMINION LIST OF APPLES. . ' • Gravenstein. . Delicious. Golden Pippin. Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. ' Scarlet Pearmain. ' , Cleopatra.- . ' ' ' . Worcester Pearmain. Rome Beauty. ■ • Cox’s Orange Pippin. Statesman. Jonathan. • „ Sturmer. The representatives of the various districts .• selected from the Dominion list of varieties recommended for the markets of the Northern Hemisphere those varieties best suited for their particular districts, as follows : Auckland District. ' Gravenstein. Delicious. ; Golden Pippin. Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. Scarlet Pearmain. - Rome Beauty. ■ Cox’s Orange Pippin. Sturmer. Jonathan. ’ . ' " ■ ’ ' ■■' '

Hawke's Bay District. Worcester Pearmain. - . - Delicious. Cox’s Orange Pippin. ■ , Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. Jonathan. -..- Sturmer. ‘ y. ■ ' ' W air ar aft a and, Wellington District. C'3 Worcester Pearmain. . Delicious. . . Cox’s Orange Pippin. Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. Jonathan. • Sturmer. . - , . Canterbury District. --. Worcester Pearmain. - . - Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. Cox’s Orange Pippin. ' ‘ ’• Rome Beauty. Jonathan. •■- . Sturmer. . . h;3 :j . ■ Delicious. ■ , ... • ... '-? • " • ■■ ... \ > ‘ ’ Nelson District. ■' ' - Worcester Pearmain. . - ' .' Delicious. A Cox’s Orange Pippin. ■ Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. -V. Jonathan. ’ . - ; .;*/;■ Sturmer. Otago District. \ Gravenstein. . / .. ... ; (■ Cleopatra. J',?/ ■'?' Worcester Pearmain. . ■ Rome Beauty. ... . Cox’s Orange Pippin. Statesman. Jonathan. ■ Sturmer. - ....... It is gratifying 'to note that the twelve varieties, of apples selected by the Conference were included in -the fourteen varieties previously selected by the Orchard Instructors’ Conference. DOMINION LIST OF PEARS. Beurre Bose. . /?'.?' : ' ?.?/. '■ ‘ ' Giblin’s Nelis. . Beurre Capiaumont. ■ . . Glou Morceau. Beurre Clairgeau. ' ' Josephine de Malines. . ' • Beurre d’Anjou. -. : ■■ ' Marie Louise. ■ ' Beurre Diel. P. Barry. ■ Doyenne du Comice. - Twyford’s Monarch. -L - Directeur Hardy. Winter Cole. - ; Durondeau. Winter Nelis. •.• • '

SOUTH AMERICA.

■ . DOMINION LIST OF APPLES. Cox’s Orange Pippin, ■ - Cleopatra. Jonathan. - ■ Yellow Newtown Pippin Delicious. Rome Beauty. . Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. Statesman. London Pippin (Five-crown).. Sturmer... ... y . , . Lord Wolseley. ’■ Dougherty.

LOCAL MARKETS.

DOMINION LIST OF APPLES. Beauty of Bath. Delicious. Red Astrakhan. Dunn’s (Monroe’s) Favourite. < Lord Suffield. London Pippin. Gravenstein. Lord Wolseley. Golden Pippin. . Cleopatra. Scarlet Pearmain. , Yellow Newtown Pippin. Worcester Pearmain. Rome Beauty. Cox’s Orange Pippin. Statesman. Alfriston. Sturmer. Jonathan. Dougherty. Reinette du Canada. : Ballarat. DOMINION LIST OF PEARS. The Conference carried a resolution warning intending planters against very extensive planting of any variety of pears for local markets, particularly the early and mid-season varieties. Planting for the local markets should be mainly confined to the later keeping varieties, selected to suit the locality, from' the following : Beurre Bose. Winter Nelis. Twyford’s Monarch. Josephine de Malines. Winter Cole. L’lnconnue. The following varieties may also be grown with satisfaction in localities having canning-facilities : Williams’s Bon Chretien. Keiffer’s Hybrid. . Should, however, a rotation of pears be desired, the following should prove satisfactory : Williams’s Bon Chretien. Doyenne du Comice. Louise Bonne of Jersey. . Winter Cole. Conference. Winter Nelis. ■ Beurre Diel. P. Barry. . * Beurre Bose. L’lnconnue. DOMINION LIST OF STONE-FRUITS. ’ PEACHES. . D denotes dessert ; C, canning ; W, white flesh ; Y, yellow flesh ; F, freestone ; Cl, clingstone and S.CI, semi-clingstone. - Early Varieties. ■ Mid-season Varieties— Sneed . D.W.F. Kalamazoo D.C.Y.F. Brig’s Red May D.W.F. Up-to-date D.C.Y.F. High’s Early Canada D.W. S.CI. Kia Ora D.C.Y.F. Admiral Dewey D.Y.F. Late Mid-season Varieties. Second-early Varieties. Paragon D.C.Y.CI. Hales . D.W.F. Muir . D.C.Y.CI. Wiggins D.W.F. Sea Eagle . • ' , D.W.F. Mamie Ross D.W.F. ’ Sea Eagle Improved D.W.F. Carman D.C.W. S.CI. Wheatland D.C.Y.F. Delicious D.Y.F. Prizetaker D.W.F. Peregrine D.W.F. ‘ Noblesse ‘ ' D.W.F. Late Varieties. Lippiatt’s Late Red D.W.CI. 'I Mid-season Varieties. Golden Queen D.C.Y.CI. Royal D.W.CI. Solway C.Y.F. Surecrop ' B.W. S.CI. James’s Cling D.C.Y.CI. Elberta C.Y.F.

NECTARINES. Ansenne. • Goldmine. Early Rivers. PLUMS (ENGLISH). Angelina Burdett. Greengage. Coe’s Golden Drop. Jefferson. Damson-Russian. Kirks. Diamond. Magnum Bonum (Yellow). Early Orleans. Monarch. Early Rivers. Pond’s Seedling. Evans’s Early. President. Giant. Takapuna Drop. Grand Duke. , PLUMS (JAPANESE). Burbank. Sharp’s Early. October Purple. Wickson. Ogon. Wright’s Early. Satsuma. ■ PRUNES. Fellenberg. Petite d’Agen. Golden Prune. , . Tragedy. APRICOTS. Boulton. Newcastle. Hemskirk. Oullin’s Early. Mansfield’s Seedling. Royal. Moorpark. . Roxburgh Large Red.

VARIETIES FOR FURTHER TESTING.

The Conference was of the opinion that the following .. varieties of the various classes of fruits were worthy of further testing, and recommended that this be done at the Department’s horticultural stations : - ■ APPLES. Charles Ross. ■ Mclntosh Red. Cliff’s Seedling. .. McLiver’s Winesap. Diadem. New Gold Pearmain. Glengyle’s Red. Patoka. Goldbridge. Premier. Grannie Smith. Senator. Houblon. Shorland Queen. King David. Stayman’s Winesap. Marian Red. Winter Banana. NECTARINES. - Brookdale. Mrs. Dr. Chisholm. Late Jewel. Nelson. Lily Baltet. PLUMS (JAPANESE). Ballena. Maynard. Formosa. Ngata. - Gariota. > Rutland Plumcott. Hermosillo. Santa Rosa. i PRUNES. Imperial d’Ephenuse. Splendour.

. APRICOTS. Blenheim. ... Pringle. Gooley. Riverside. . - Harris. Smyrna. Louise Lette. ' Tilton. Precose de Wunnie. With regard to all the foregoing Dominion lists, the Conference wished to advise ’ intending commercial planters to consult with the Orchard Instructor or local nurserymen of the district as to the varieties most' suitable for planting before placing their, orders. Intending planters of domestic orchards are advised to apply to the same sources for.local information.