FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

Gisborne Times, Volume X, Issue 1048, 16 November 1903, Page 1

FRUIT-GROWING INDUSTRY.

The spring'season of 1903 will be memorable as )being tho best experienced in the South Island for many years, and as being in marked contrast to the weather which generally prevails at that time of the year. Mr J. C. Blackmore, Government pomolegist, who has received reports from all parts of tho South Island, states that the indications of a very bountiful yield of fruit are extremely bright. The weather in all tho (districts reported upon by Mr Blackmore has up to the present been most favorable to the freo setting of blossoms on the fruit trees, being warm and dry, with an absence of frost and high winds. Unless frosts intervene—an unlikely happening at this late stage of the year —a record crop of all fruits may bo expected, especially in tho coastal districts, where tho almost continuous rainfall has of late years been unfavorable to tho free setting of tho fruit. Mr Blackmore is in hopes that the surplus yield this season will lead to the establishment of several canning and preserving factories. The department has been endeavoring to so increase the output to sueh an extent that the canning industry can be started and developed on sound commercial liDes. Reports regarding the small-fruit crop in the Nelson district indicate that the season will be a very early one,