WAIRARAPA FRUITGROWING.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1972, 31 January 1914, Page 8

WAIRARAPA FRUITGROWING.

SMALL BIRD PEST. . (Trom Our Special Correoponflcnt.) . . " . Grey town, January 30. Tho question of fruit-growing-is an important one in the Wairarapa, more especially in and around Greytown. Some years ago a society was formed to endeavour to keep the bird pest in chejbk, and it proved successful for a time.':-.; : .However, the cost of. purchasing eggs 'and. heada fell on ft few' enthusiasts, the many small growers not joining tho society thus reaping tho benefit of tho few. For the jast two or three years, the society fell through, and the. result is now very apparent. The;birds have mado sad havoo with all !ojaeses._of,.fruits, currants, gooseborjries, plums,; and apples. In one case, ! through tho late , frosts, and tho birds, ' ono orohardist picked 81bs. of currants where'he had hitherto sent away cases of tho same to Auckland and elsewhere. Gooseberries were reduced almost in the some ratio. Early apples suffered from the birds very severely. Unless some limited aotion is again taken it will be impossible to grow fruit profitably in Tthe district. '.....It is hoped an effort will !be made .to resuscitate the old Bociety, land,possibly get a Government Bubsidy to assist in reducing .the number of 'fruit-eating birds,,that now abound in district. One or two orchardists ;toav<e; patent "bangers" that explodo Feriodicallyy but- theso only frighten tho biftls from one place to another.