FRUIT GROWING.

Daily Telegraph (Napier), Issue 3100, 4 June 1881, Page 3

FRUIT GROWING.

[To the Editor of the Daily Telegeaph.J Sir, —I was very pleased to learn from your issue of the Ist instant that, through the liberality of the Acclimatisation Society, we are going to have another trait added to our dessert, viz., the persimmon from Japan. Should it Bucceed in this country (which I doubt very much) it will prove a great boon, as when had in good condition the persimmon is a most desirable fruit. Still I cannot help deploring the utter neglect (in Hawke's Bay and other parts of New Zealand) of the cultivation of apples, pears, and other fruits. I might mention at present here in West Clive imported apples are being sold at 6d per lb, which in my opinion are mere rubbish when compared with fruit grown in this locality, and which could be grown in sufficient quantity not only to meet tbe local demand (including the town of Napier), but also for exportation to other parts, if those possessing tbe land and the means would only plant orchards on a gigantic scale, as is done in other countries, especially in those we get our present supply of fruit from. I have asked several gentlemen why they do not go in for the cultivation of fruit on a large scale, and they invariably answer " Oh, it wont pay," which is a great error, as it will pay, which fact I am prepared to prove. No one seems to grow enough fruit for their own private use; they prefer paying an exorbitant price for an inferior article, which they could with ▼cry little trouble grow at home. The cost of young fruit trees need not deter anyone from planting, as our local nurserymen are making Bpecial offers at present at very low rates. During the last few weeks I have visited the nurseries of Messrs Goddard, Sturm, and Gilberd and Anderson, of Taradale, where I saw thousands of fine young trees all fit for this season's planting, so I would advise all who can to begin tbe cultivation of fruit at once. Having had a great deal of experience in the cultivation of fruit (both out of door and under glass) in Great Britain and other countries, I will be most happy to give a few practical hints on tbfe formation and after management of the orchard to any one contemplating planting one, if by so doing I can assist in extending the culture of our favorite fruits, viz., tbe apple and

pear, in order that tbey may be bought at a reasonable price by those who have not the means of growing them for themselves.

Trusting you may find a corner in your valuable paper for the above, —I am, &c,

A Knight of the Spade and Pruning Hook. West Clive, June 2, 1881.