The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1889. THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume VII, Issue 2259, 21 October 1889, Page 2

The Ashburton Guardian. Magna est Veritas et Prævalebit. MONDAY, OCTOBER 21, 1889. THE FRUIT INDUSTRY.

The Ashburton district is, it is well known, admirably adapted for the cultivation of fruit, and we believe that j the industry of fruitgrowing might be largely extended with profit to the, growers if orchardists and gardeners would set about the matter m the right way. We are quite aware that there are people who declare that it does not pay to grow fruit for sale because as they aver they cannot command a market for large quantities at payable prices, but we are of opinion that if, 'the right sort of fruit is grown and it is forwardod to the proper quarter and m proper condition the demand will be found quite equal to any supply that will be forth coming for years to come. Writing on this subject the Auckland " Herald " says that last season several of the fruit growers of that district tried the Auetra lian markets with satisfactory results and points out that a large market is also open for this class of produce at certain seasons of the year m America, and also that "it has been proved that the London market is available for a practically unlimited quantity of first-glass fruit, put up with care, and sent to market as if the sender thought something of it himself." The other day (says our contemporary) we learned that Mr Alexander Cochran, Waikomiti, has bees m the habit of sending quantities of fruit (apples) to the London markets for several years past with satisfactory results. The kinds he has found to be most m demand m London are: Adams' Pearmain, Cox's Orange Pippin, Symmond's Winter, Stunner Pippin, Boston Russet, Takapuna Russet, Scarlet Nonpareil, and Ohinerauri. His experience shows that the above kinds are m demand m the order given." The tf Herald," however, goes on to show that it is not alone m a green state that fruit can be sent to market with profitable results, but that there are many forms m which it can be prepared to command remunerative prices, instancing the example of Mr John Udy of Underwood, Papnranga, near Howick, Mr Udy " has an orchard about one and threequarter acres m extent The trees are about twelve years planted, and about 14 feet apart, a distance Mr Udy now finds to be much too near. He thinks from 20 to 22 feet quite near enough m the Auckland district. He has a general virety of fruit — apples, peaches, pears, quinces, plums, damsons, cherries, apricots, etc. Last year he marketed about twelve tons of fruit, and m future years he anticipates a very considerable increase, and the result is quite satisfactory to him. He dried about a ton of apples, and Messrs Close Brothers deemed them worth from 8d to 10d per lb at the time they were placed on the market. Last season, and the previous one, ho converted a portion of his apples into cider ; the former year he bad 200 gallons, which wre sold at 2s per gallon, and last season he had 630 gallonß. He finds that from 121 b to 141 b of apples gives him a gallon of fermented cider. He also prepared a quantity of wine from damsons with a degree of success that experts have offered to pay a liberal deposit upon a thousand gallons of similar quality to be delivered next season. . . . Mr Udy is so satisfied with what the orchard can do that he is now planting bit by bit a flat along a creek side of over two miles m length, varying from a few chains to over a quarter of a mile m width. Facts like these tell their own tale, and make known to all that he at least is not afraid of the market being glutted during his time.'? They are also worth noting by the fruitgrowers of the Ashburton district who may find m the foregoing some hints which may be aoted upon with advantage.