Nelson Fruit Industry

Horowhenua Chronicle, 1 September 1915, Page 3

Nelson Fruit Industry

"l'he fruit inductry is going to be the premier industry oi Una district./ said Mr T. W. .hark, Director of Orchards, „tu a "Nelson LMail" reporter recently. In the course oi further remarks, he ipointed out that to-day Nelson has an area of 9515 acres under fruit, and it was well within the facts to say that 6000 acres of this axe in apples, some in full oearwg uud other areas coming on fast. "'lf you take 6000 acres at the rate of only '50 trees to the acre," said Mr Kirk, proceeding, "this gives you 1)00,000 trees. And in a few yead's' time the trees should yield one bushel per tree. It is apparent, therefore, that there will be very much more than this, as many of the orchards are in lull beaming— there will bo 900,000 cases of apples to leave the district. And this is exclusive of all other fruit. As a matter oi fact, these figures are ridiculously conservative, but I have given them purposely, ijoa- even they shoiw the| enormous growth of the industry." After emphasising the need, for rigorous Government inspection of tiie fruit as it leaves the Dominion, Mr Kirk expressed the,-opinion that, on account of the fruit having to be sent to Welting ton and there wait tor the /Home boat, a total extra charge of 11 id a case was involved; and he asKed if it was not possible to make NeUßh, if not taie final port of departure, at least one oi the last ports—a port at which the liners could call when nearly ready for sea As far as he could ascertain, the matter rested entirely with the Nelson people.