THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1880. FRUIT GROWING.

Globe, Volume XXII, Issue 2084, 28 October 1880, Page 2

THE GLOBE. THURSDAY, OCTOBER 28, 1880. FRUIT GROWING.

A notice appeared in our issue of Tuesday calling attention to the export of a number of boxes of apples from Adelaide to London, where they were sold at a price which, though not remunerative, led to hopes that, if the article were disposed of at a more favorable time of the year—say in spring or early summer, when fruit of all kinds is scarce in England—that a good profit would bo derivable. Since the writing of this notice two letters have appeared in our columns on the subject—namely, one yesterday from a gentleman signing himself “Fruit Consumer,” and the other from Mr. Oliver, in to-day’s issue. Now, in these days, when the public are eagerly searching for new local industries it would seem as if this most palpable industry had been unaccountably overlooked. There can be no doubt whatever but that it is a disgrace to the enterprise of our farmers and gardeners that the province has to go outside of itself for its supply of the fruit so easily grown hero. This is, of course, entirely apart from the question of exportation to other countries, for it is natural to suppose that, for the present at all events, with a market in our very midst, the attention of those taking up this industry would be first turned in this latter direction. It is difficult to account for the present state of affairs in any other way than that suggested by “ Fruit Consumer,” namely, that it is absolutely the carelessness of the residents in these parts that renders importation necessary. If we consider the magnificent climate wo enjoy for fruitgrowing purposes, the richness and variety of our soil, and the great need for profitable outlets for industry, the wonder will grow that more has not been done in the direction indicated. Mr. Oliver, who has, of course, a practical knowledge on the subject, draws particular attention to the certainty of a market which fruit growers enjoy—a certainty in striking contrast to that which greets the efforts of the grain grower. The supply of locally-grown fruit, ho tells us, does not meet the demand by threefour tbs. We are well aware that apple and pear trees do not come into full bearing order much before seven yoars, and that a considerable sum of money has to be laid out in the first place. But the returns are so good when once everything has been got into full swing and the trouble then attached to the maintenance of the orchard is so small that even with small returns the investor must finally he well repaid. It may fairly be stated that, as affairs now stand, a man with twenty acres of orchard, or even less, is well provided for. With forty acres, he would be comparatively a rich man. The facilities that are afforded by nurserymen who have tens of thousands of young fruit trees of very choice sorts is a great factor in any scheme of fruit growing in Canterbury, We do not propose to go into details, but a broad outline of the method of proceeding may not be uninteresting. A careful preparation of the soil is the first and nearly the only cost. The grower, after the planting, would then principally turn his attention to protecting his trees from frost and wind, for although the apple, in particular, has deadly enemies in the shape of American blight and the scale pest, gardeners tell us that these aro generally the result of badly prepared land and defective drainage. A proposed fruit-grower might well protect his land by a belt of fast-growing trees, and inside of those might he placed a row of walnut trees. When the latter had reached a sufficient size the former might bo cut down, and each part of the land would then return a profit. But indeed, to go into the different methods to bo pursued would be useless; it is enough to say that ample scope for a variety of plans would be found to exist.

With regard to the export of fruit, it may merely be hinted that the field open to the future exporter is almost bonndless. There is also the preservation of fruit, which has been a small mine of wealth to Tasmania, and which could with great profit be taken up in this province. All that is wanted is energy and a certain amount of capital. We trust to see the subject taken up heartily by gentlemen more capable of handling it properly than ourselves. It is a subject well worthy of ample consideration, for all the necessaries are close at hand, and the outlay is not overpowering.