FRUIT GROWING IN CANTERBURY.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2084, 28 October 1880, Page 3

FRUIT GROWING IN CANTERBURY.

To the Editor of the “ Globe."

Sib, —I have often been surprised that some of our farmer!, who are so frequently complaining of the unprofitableness of their vocation in this country, in consequence of the fluctuating and low prices of their produce to pay the interest on invested capital and the labor spent on the land, should not turn their attention to the industry of growing fruit. Of the adaptability of the land and climate there is no question. That they both are very favorable, and as to the profitableness of the undertaking we have only to turn our mind’s eye to the few who, in the neighborhood of this city, have followed the pursuit of cultivating good orchards for a number of years past. Whatever may be the result of cultivating large areas of land for grain and root crops, whether in consequence of the failure of the crop or of an universal superabundant yield, that the speculation becomes an unprofitable one, it matters not to the fruit grower. Hitherto his crop has always reached a fair average one, and his price has always been the same for years past. The supply not reaching the demand by three-fourths, he has no trouble in disposing of his goods at a splendid price, receiving the cash, in most instances, on delivery. From this, it may therefore be seen that the prospect is a good one. Your correspondent M perfectly right in stating that the greater part of the fruit consumed here is imported into the place, and it is sold at a very high figure, so high that it is often placed beyond thy reach ef our poorer colonists. Thus you see, though great as the consumption appears to be, it would be much greater if the article were grown in the colony and sold a trifle cheaper, as it might be done. At the present time, our American friends are sending their fresh fruit into our markets, and this week I have received a quotation of the price of fresh American apples, which are being sold in the Auckland market at 25s for a case of 501bs. Here is evidently a fins prospect for an outlay of capital, and good matter for the consideration of our enterprising local Industrial Association. Yours, &c., J. P. OLIVER.

The following letter appears in this morning’s issue of the “Press