Fruit Culture

Horowhenua Chronicle, 21 January 1914, Page 2

Fruit Culture

J « > ' HOIiOWHENU A FItUIT-Glt-OWEIiS' ASSOCIATION'S ANNUAL 11E P OUT. following- is tlie full text of'tin annual report to be submitted t( tlie Horowhenua Fruitgrowers Association, at its meeting 1 to be held next Friday in Levin:— "We have tlie pleasure to submit our annual report to oui members and all those present interested in fruit culture. ree years ago our Association was formed tp encourage and assist to establish in this district the fruit industry. We are pleased to notice that-since 1911 rapid progress has been made, not only in our district, but all over the colony. The total acreage in orchards is now up to • >8,720 acres for th(* whole of New Zealand. The demand from European and American markets is continually increasing-. This leaves no doubt that the export of fruit will attain large proportions and the industry will be a source of wealth to our colonists and of great value to the nation. The Government has recognised the importance of the industry and has introduced a bill for the purpose of advancing associations sums up to £3000 for tlie establishment of preserving works. As fruitgrowers in general are not capitalists co-opera-tion will be the only means for ■ taking advantage of such a grant. During the last twelve months our association, of which the membership, we are sorry to say, is only ten, has held monthly meetings. The Orchard Inspector, Air Stratford, lias been a regular attendant and read very instructive and interesting papers on "Pollination of Apple Blossom," "How to Grow an • Orchard," and "On Arsenical .Poisoning." He also supplied our members with valuable information on fruitgrowing', and the eradication of pests. We have the pleasure to tender iiim our hearty thanks which are well'deserved. We also tender our I hanks to the local press for the great assistance given to the industry and our association through its columns. Our association paid the annual official ' visit' to the Experimental Farm which resulted in a recommendation: "That the orchard should be placed directly under the control of the Orchard Branch of the Department of Agriculture." We also thought it advisable, to join the New Zealand Fruitgrowers' Federation, to strengthen the po- | wer of the orchardists. We have approved and accorded our support to a scheme of a National Apple Show, which will undoubtedly, be of great assistance to the 'industry. Our balance-sheet shows a credit balance of lis (id. The expenditure for the incoming year will bo increased by 2s fid for each member due to the Federation. We propose to raise the subscription from 5s to 7s (id, subject to refund of 2s (id if our memberhip increases to over 25. (Signed) 11. Blackburn, Presideut; Marco Fosella, Hon. Secretary."