The Chronicle. PUBLIHSED DAILY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, '11. THE FRUIT GROWING INDUSTRY.

Horowhenua Chronicle, 18 February 1911, Page 2

The Chronicle. PUBLIHSED DAILY SATURDAY, FEBRUARY 18, '11. THE FRUIT GROWING INDUSTRY.

Ttir very great importance of fruit culture to this county is our excuse for once more referring to the subject. Divorsc opinions are being expressed locally on the point as to w.hother there will be a sufficient market available should the orchard' areas of 'this county 'be increase:! twenty fold or fifty fold, as they could be in the course of a very few years. Tt seems to us that provided propel , sorts of fruit were grownespecially apples of good keeping varieties—the New Zealand markets alone —nay, even that of Wellington City—would suffice to absorb tho output from this district, which is so closely situated to the metropolis, and favoured by climatic conditions to so groat an extent. When, however, regard: is had to the insatiable markets of Great Britain, the ease for local fruit culture becomes rosier and rosier. There is no need for theory, no call for mere suppositions on this head ; the position is clearly put by specific signed statements of reliable agents in London, and other large cities of Great Britain, who have specially reported upon prospects by recent request of a. representative of the New Zealand Government. These reports make very interesting and encouaging reading for present and prospective fruit growers, and sbonld go materially to dissipate tho doubts wflrieh are entertained still by some farmers and settlers amongst us. The reports, which are somewhat lengthy, may be found in the latest number of tho Journal of the Department of Agriculture, and tlhey are well worthy of perusal and. study ; though the broad question as to apple culture and peach growing for profit, it seems to us, has got past the argumentative stage. What is needed now is for our settlers to be np and doing, and set about growing the shelter trees which form the orohardi.sts' first and chief line of defence against the nipping airs and. snoll breezes which retard the growth of fruit trees planted in unprotected, places.