Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1884. Pomology

Feilding Star, Volume V, Issue 37, 29 March 1884, Page 2

Feilding Star. SATURDAY, MARCH 29, 1884. Pomology

The steady progress being made by the Wellington - Manawatu Eailway Company in the completion of their line renders it necessary and advisable for our farmers and settlers to make every preparation to avail themselves of the facilities that will be offered thereby of finding a ready and profitable market for produce of all kinds and descriptions. Of timber, grain, fungus, wool, beef, mutton, and other commodities produced and raised in this neighborhood we have no need to write anything, inasmuch as they are well established, and the opening of the Wellington Eailway will merely have the effect of expanding them. It is true that, in our opinion at least, the industries connected with their production will be abnormally increased, and far beyond expectation, but this belief ought not to prevent us from taking steps to produce other and even more valuable commodities. It will be, say, three or even four years before the line is open, and during that time a great deal can be done towards preparing to make still further profitable use of it, and in the following manner : There is no more remunerative use to which a farmer can devote a share of his land than to orchard planting. If he intends the fruit for his own use only, it will be in the best sense of the word profitable, as it will bring health, comfort, and enjoyment. If he intends it for sale he will always be able to dispose of it, where he will have a town of at present say 20,000, but in four years, 80,000 inhabitants to supply, because Wellington is increasing her population in possibly even a greater proportion. It is not too much to expect, with the abundant produce of all kinds I of fruit suitable for preserving, jam factories will be established which would more than absorb any surplus there might be. Assuming that our views are so far correct, now is the proper time to begin. Trees planted next spring would, in the time mentioned, be in full or partial bearing, and repaying liberally the cost of planting and other labor. It must be remembered that this part of the West Coast is capable of producing apples that cannot be equalled in any other part of the colony, either for size, flavor, or quantity, and we know that splendid as they now are grown, they may be raised to even a higher standard by more careful cultivation. The soil seems to be peculiarly suited to apple culture, and now that an almost certain preventive to the blight is known a great drawback may be 1 said to exist no longer. Wherever the apple arrives at perfection, it may be said that all other fruits, excepting of course those peculiar to tropical climates, will thrive. Our readers will perhaps be surprised to know that during one year in Feilding upwards of 50 tons of fruit of all kinds were imported. Since that time, notwithstanding the quantity locally produced, we believe the average has been kept up. We may assume tliat not less than two or three hundred pounds per annum are sent to fruit growers in other parts of the colony and Australia, the greater portion of which will, we hope, in the near future be expended among local {growers only. There is no better time than during this and the next month' to prepare an orchard if the planting is to be done next spring.