AUSTRALASIAN FRUIT CONFERENCE.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1372, 24 February 1912, Page 20

AUSTRALASIAN FRUIT CONFERENCE.

MR, EVBBITT'S REPORT. Mr. H. Everitt, the well-known orchardist of Riwaka, Nelson, represented tho New Zealand fruit-growers at the Australasian Fruit Growers' Conference at Brisbane, and from his report, read at tho New Zealand Fruit Growers' Conference, we lake the following excerpts:— If climatic conditions aro favourable our (emperato fruits will seemingly grow anywhere, provided that stagnant water is kept from their roots, and I havo talked with, those who, on a subsoil of hard conglomerate have established payable apple orchards by bursting up the hard lnnd by a judicious uso of dynamite—a slow exploding grade by preference. I visited several places in tho high tends where temperate fruits were grown, and was much impressed by the sight of food orchards on soil, th» poverty of which ww simply appalling. The trees were planted 25 feet apart eo that the roots would have plenty of room to forage for their food and water in view of

the Tcrjr precarious rain supply. I commend this matter to tho thought of the delegates here assembled. Spraying. Touching the interminable spraying question, concerning which there seems to be no absolute unanimity, there is, however, a general agreement in the use of three standard washes, red oil, Bordeaux mixture, and arsenate of lead. In lieu of the Bordeaux, when buds are dormant, 60iiie growers arc using sulphate of copper alone, in the proportion of 1 to 40, witli excellent results, but it is clear that according to our climate we must vary the strength of our mixtures. This is clearly evidenced in tho fact that all (exports and growers alike) informed mt that arsenate of lead, though in the proportion of 1 to 20, never injuriously affected llio foliage, and expressed great surprise at our occasional experiences to the contrary. Research in the United States seems to establish the fact that in humid climates an arsenate of zinc (?) is preferable to tho arsenate of lead. Hay I express the hope that our Dominion Entyinologist will make this a subject of his early investigation; but whilo dealing with the arsenate spray I found the opinion that it is responsible for bitter pit was not seriously entertained by anyone, it being held rather to he no disease, but caused by a rupturing of the walls of tho

The "Trafalgar Hotel" has been.an institution in Nolson almost «ince tho inception of tho town. With a frontage each to Bridge and Trafalgar Streets, it has a splendid position, and with its fino, imposing threo-story front, tho building is quite a distinctive land marlt. The present hotel is quite now, having boon built only. a fow years. Mr. Thos. M'GKIIivTOT, the new licensee, has been in occupation for only a short period, but the house has boen completely luruishod throughout, and it is one of

marked accordingly, as experience has shown that different varieties of the fruit may with advantage be carried in different ways. This is notably so iii the case of W.8.C., which require to bo carried in •trays oleated together, while on tho other hand Napoloons (Vicar of Winkfield) may with advantage be carried in half bushels. "Wliilo on this topic 1 would like to give you the experience of one of tho largest pear shippers from Victoria. It is this; "Taking one thing with another mv Vicars have paid me better than a.ny oilier variety, though iu the? caso of the Somerset's shipments of "W'.B.C.'s, when all the fruit w.'is pre-coolcd, Iho results left little to bo desired.'V The question of cases for the inter-State trade, involving as it does tho right to use secondhand ones, was considered at length, and the conference was practically unanimous that thero should be no hard and fast rule as to either size or shape of tho ense, recognising that different fruits required different packages, provided tho shippers clearly marked on the outside the capacity or tho weight of tho contents, and, further, that provided cases were sterilised, they might again bo used, the methods to be adopted to secure- efficient sterilisation to be left to the various departments; which it was hoped would adopt iom» uniform system. Sea Carriage and Cool Storage. It was strongly urged that nelf-regis-

terms thermometers should be Insisted on, ! and that tho. Sea Carriage of Goods Act should be made more workable in the interests of shippers, that in subsidised mail boats better installations should be provided, that the _ duty on wrapping paper should be abolished, and that the excise on spirits for manufacturing purposes should be materially- reduced. The consideration of these matters will, I am sure, commend itself to this conference. The Trado Commissioner for Australia (Mr. Wickes) advised the appointment of an agent in England with power of attorney to look after the shipments, follow the fruit through the various channels of distribution, and advise accordingly, and suggested the raising of a fund for the purpose by a tax on each case of fruit snipped, while other' speakers urged ; tho 'a'dvisablenoss of again trying the various outposts, also pointing out as an alternative that Hamburg—where the arrangements for sale are in marked comparison with Covent Garden, leave little to be desired —can be as cheaply and readily reached. Now while cool stores are a most useful auxiliary in connection with an export trade, they are absolutely necessary if we would make the most of our domestic opportunities, and I may here point out that in some of the States, the Governpiont built and equipped them, certain growers guaranteeing the interest, while

being a. fine, handsome promenade, with the most comfortable and convenient in the. Province. 'The drawing and Bitting rooms are luxuriously furnished, while smart, up-to-date, lounge roojns uro to be found on each floor. The paintings which adorn the walla of the rooms, halls, and corridors are mostly classical reproductions from the old masters, and hav been, evidently woll chosen. Bathrooms with hot ami cold water, and also all conveniences, aro ou each landing, and everything is scrupulously clean. Eaoh story has o balcony running round the building, tho one on the first lauding

when we all see eye to eje. It J< ">• same over tho water, and with tho exception of tho Queensland delegates, wlio hare a .monopoly of the pine trade, no seems to moot with much favour. By the Queensland Got--eminent, as well a/i by the orchnrdisu, wo were received and most hospitably entertained, and our short sojourn whew tho pine and banana grow and Uu 'feathery palm trees rise will long, i*; main a red-letter day in our niomonea.