"TIRVEAN."

Horowhenua Chronicle, 16 January 1915, Page 2

"TIRVEAN."

V WHERE PERFECT i'EAOHES GROW. To tho writer, the sight of a fine largo peach orchard, such as Mr J. 0. -N-eili's "Tirvean," Weraroa, stirs the memory ol many happy days; also a few palatal ones—the latter when tho owner of the orchard was neet of foot, or kept a hungry dog, or grew those hard green peaches that never seem to ripen, and cause much inter discomfort. These kind of peaches have evidently disappeared; at least Mr Neill does not grow any. Oil the contrary. All the varieties, whether dessert, preserving, or for making jam, grown bj Mr -\eill are of the best and have been selected 011 the advice and experience spread over many years, of other growers in various parts of the world. The result is that residents of Levin and district are enabled to purchase direct from the orchard, the liuest fruit the best condition; fruit that has v. been damaged in transit from oitner parts, or that Kept in the close stuffy atmosphere ot shops exposed to dust and other contamination. Most people will be surprised, to hear that peaches, and many otlieikinds of soft fruits, require in handling much more care than eggs; requiro. much more care than they often get. Eggs can be knocked about ami providing the shell stands little harm is done: whereas in the case of fruit the slightest bruise sets up purification. Hence people can see the great advantage they have in being able to get peaches from-a near-by orchard, where all care is exercised in the marketing of the fruit and the fulfilling of orders. The peaches grown at "Tirvean" are picked when just ready, there can be 110 putting off till to-morrow with such lruit and the ones sampled, taken at random from cases packed for market, Hero of lino flavour with a very small stone. The crop this year is not as good as it promised to be in the early spring; the constant winds before Christinas spoiled a portion of it, so that there is all the more reason tor hurry on the part of those who desire peaches for dessert, jam, or preserv- . ing. A visit to "Tirvean" proves most interesting, Mr Neill being only too pleased to show anyone round and through the orchard, and explain the growing, pruning, spraying, etc., of the peach trees. One realises very quickly that it requires a vast amount of work and care to secure the finely flavoured fruit grown by Mr Neill. In' connection with the spraying there is an ingeniously devised high-pressure pump for the work in which after the pressure rises to about 1801bs to the square inch a powerful spring gives assistance in maintaining it. 'J'be fine lot of pigs kept by Mr .Neill. is also worth inspection, and with them, by way of contrast, is a wild one, so tame that its follows one around to be stroked. Mr Neill intends exhibiting several pigs, including the wild one, at the forthcoming show. Among other interesting things shown the writer was a few pieces of quaintly carved Belgian furniture, includiing a monk's stool, obtained by Mrs Neill when 011 a visit to that country. 13ut over and above the many interesting things the peaches will be best remembered. If you want peaches go or send to "Tirvean."