THE FRUIT PRESERVING INDUSTRY.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3004, 10 February 1881, Page 4

THE FRUIT PRESERVING INDUSTRY.

(From Thames Correspondent Auckland Herald.) Among fclio industriea which have sprung up here during the last few years is that of preserving, or rather tinning fruit. This industry is now assuming considerable proportions, and those who are devoting attention to it find a ready sale for all they can prepare. Among these, perhaps Mr R. Hudson, of Glen Orchard, Parawai, has been tho most successful, and certainly his garden is well worth visiting. It is now only four years since Mr Hudeon purchased this property, and during that time, in an orchard of about four acres in extent, he has planted over 1000 fruit trees, and many of these are bearing most abundantly. The orchard is very well situated on the bank of a small creek, and haa an easterly aspect, being completely sheltered from the c<>kl westerly and south-west winds. The fruit trees, which have been carefully selected with a view to securing the best sorts, are all planted in rows, the rows being laid out in suoh a way that the trees shelter one another. Not only has Mr Hudson a large number of trees, but he has also a great variety even among the same kinds. Of apples lie has 300 trees, and among these he has no less than 40 different sorts. Many of the apples, although they have only been in the ground about three years, are bearing well. Of peaches there are 300 trees, and among these there are also 40 different sorts. The peaches are almost all of them bearing. Among so many different sorts there is almost every shade of colour peculiar to peaches, from dark crimson to pure white, and as the trees are nearly all standing in a grove together, the fruit showing such a variety of colour is quite a picture to look at. Where there are so many different sorts it is impossible to give the names of them ; but Mr Hudson has both early and late kinds, and for severul weeks now he will be very busy gathering, cleaning, and tinning the fruit. Of plums there are 200 trees, and among these 20 different sorts. Many of the plums are bearing, and this year some of the fruit will be tinned for the first time. There are four or five trees of the kind known as Victorias, which are loaded with fruit. From these Mr Hudson has already taken 601bs of fruit, and yet the trees do not appear to have lost a single plum. On one tree especially the fruit is hanging like clusters of grapes, and almost as thick as the leaves. Of pears, however, do not bear very well at present, Lemons, 36 trees ; apricots, 20 trees ; nectarines, 12 trees. Mr Hudson has also a number of other fruit trees and fruit-bearing plants. What will especially strike the visitor on going through the orchard is the healthy appearance of all the trees. There is scarcely the trace of blight to be seen anywhere, and the peaches and nectarines are all free from the curl. The stems and branches of the trees are clean and bright, and shine almost as much as if they had been polished. Mr Hudson attributes much of his success in this particular to his manner of treating the ground. Hβ keeps it constantly dug. During last year the whole of the orchard was dug over three times, Mr Hudson himself, with a lad of about 15 years of age, doing the whole of the work, and certainly the admirable appearance of the orchard is a rich reward for all the labour bestowed upon it. Mr Hudson, it will be seen, has devoted a great deal of attention to his garden, and among other matters he has tried several experiments with a view of making the trees bear eai'ly, many of which have proved successful. Of course, Mr Hudson's main object is to supply the market with, fruit of various kinds, and in such a way that it will keep for a long time. Last year about two tons of peaches were tinned at Glen Orchard, and this being the first time any quantity had been prepared, Mr Hudson sent samples to Christchurch, Dunedin, and Sydney, besides selling a considerable quantity on the Thames and in Auckland. A small parcel was also sent to London. The fruit distributed throughout the colony sold very readily, and, as a consequence, Mr Hudson has already received numerous orders for this year's fruit. This year Mr Hudson expects to tin between seven and eight tons. The greater portion of this, will be peaches, but there will also be a considerable number of tins of plums. Mr Hudson is not the only one on the Thames who is devoting attention to-this industry. Mr Steadman, of Tararu; Mr R. N. Smith, Kauaeranga Valley; and Mr Ludlow, of Karaka Creek, are also paying some attention to it. Considering the large quantities of preserved fruit which are annually consumed in New Zealand alone, there appears to he plenty of scope for extending the industry, and thus retaining within the colony a large portion, at any rate, of the money winch is annually expended in this article of consumption.