THE MAKING OF AN INDUSTRY.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1473, 28 June 1912, Page 10

THE MAKING OF AN INDUSTRY.

HISTORY OP THE TASMAN APPLE LANDS. Pome fifteen years ago s. Ini'go fruitgrower from Tasmania was on board the fleanier between Nelson and Mutupka. Pointing to tbe whito cliffs, now formink tho boundary of tbe well-known T.isman Kstate, he said: "It 20 years' timn that land will be sll one gigantic apple orchard." Tea rears passed and the land

■seemed no nearer the prophecy's. fulfilment. Mr. T. VC. Kirk, K..1..5., had certainly seen the land and predicted ils undoubted possibilities for apple-growing, lie was unable, however, to secure a block small enough for his purposes, mi tho matter lapsed. It was not until 11)11) that enough believers in the possibilities of the land were brought together to form a syndicate to subdivide a large area into sections. Once subdivided tin , next thing to do was to combat onll conquer the usual hide-bound prejudice against the land, which prejudice was particularly strong in the Nelson province. The Pioneers. Directly on hearing that small sections were available, Mr. T. \Y. Kirk, F.L.S., head of tlto Government Orchard Department, purchased 100 acres. I!o was rapidly followed by Messrs. I.' - . It. llallain, then orchard iustructur fur tho Nelson provinco, and Thos. liorton, F.K.H.S.. managing director of T. liorton's, Ltd., the largest nursery firm in New Zealand. Other buyers included Mr. Justice Chapman, Mr. S. .1. Brown, well known in the Mildura orchards, Australia. Dr. l'axton. Dr. Deck, anil A. M'Kpc, orchardist at Riwiika. The faith of these, people, coupled with tho excellent reports on the kind for apple-growing purposes, and it's similarity to the. Tasmanian lands, firmly established the project in the. minds, of all expert growers, and when the Tasmnn Fruit Lands, Ltd., put tho next subdivision on the market it was rapidly snapped up. It was nt- this time that Mr, J. T. Horn, of 39 Panama Street, Wellington, was appointed sole agent for the lands, thus putting into force that organisation which has resulted in all but 30 odd sections of the Tasman Estato being sold and planted and in tho certainty that Tasman will be the largest fruit-growing settlement in New Zealand. >

New Growers. The tree? planted in 1911 are all making magnificent growth and this year those planting include Mr. F. E. Nottngo, fruit- instructor for Hawke's Bay; Jlr. ,E.. H. Parkinson, of Kent. England; Mr..]•;. S. Baldwin, patent agent; Mr. R. Head, accountant, both of ■Wellington; Messrs. Permain Bros., of Dmicdiii," Mr. L. A. Maclauriu, Messrs. Don Bros., Mr. H. K. Duncan, Mr. E. Groves, all of Kelson, and others. A feature of tho arrangement is that the Tasman Company provide as snperviser for absentees tho services of Mr. 1\ E. Nottuge, undoubtedly one of the leading experts in Australasia. This moans that absentees are able to bring their orchards into bearing while still carrying on their ordinary avocations elsewhere. In fact, such orchards are probably brought into bearing more scientifically in this manner than they would be under the owners personal supervision. Expert Opinions. Its quality for apple-growing is well described by Mr. Thos. iiorton, F.H.H.S.. who says: "This land will grow apples high in colour, firm in texture, superior in quality, the three great essentials oi : the export apple. It will grow better apples than orchard land I purchased in Hawke's Bay at £120 per acre." Mr. Nottoge says:. "The flats are particularly suited for growing pears, the slopes foi apples and the tops of ridges for apricot.s. A great (leal of the land is suited for the growth of strawberries, raspberries, and many other small fruits. Mr. J. T. Horn, 39 Panama Street, Wellington, will be pleased to receive any inquiry from orchardists whether immediate buyers or not, and will from time to time .forward them all information of progress which may be of interest. It is to be hoped therefore that. fruitgrowers will place themselves in communication with Mr. Horn so that they may be in tho way of receiving this information. ■ - *