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Hokitika Guardian, 29 December 1928, Page 6

Natives of the AVaiapm district have been provided with a new topic b sudden change of habit on the part of a great pear-tree located in the pa at Tikitiki (says the “Poverty Bay Herald”). The tree had not bo’ fruit for a great number of years until .1 lie present season and its steihty had lieeji taken for granted for a long time but one enquiring Native took the trouble to ask the Government Orchard Instructor, during one of the letter’s periodical visits to the Coast why the tree did not bear as others did. The instructor noted that there were no other pear tree*' in the neighbourhood, and advised the enquirer to procure some blossom from another variety of pear, place the twigs in waterfilled jars, and hang them in the branches of the non-bearing tree. Mystified until the instructor had explained to him on broad lines the basic principle of cross-pollenation, the Manfinally adopted the experiment, and this year, the tree bears a fairly healthy crop of fruit. At a recent gathering at the pa, Natives from other areas expressed surprise at seeing the crop ; and heard with some degree of incredu- j lity the explanation of the tree’s rejuvenation.