APPLE EXPORT.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIX, Issue 5224, 9 January 1928, Page 2

APPLE EXPORT.

TOO MANY VARIETIES.

A CANDID CRITIC.

Sipeaking on Thursday evening last at the Nurserymen’s Conference at Wellington, Mr T. AV. Atwpbd, of Auckland, president of the Fruit Growers’ Federation, urged that the number' of varieties, of apples for export should be cut down to about eight. Mr Atwood’s address was entitled “Commercial Fruit Growing,” and he stated that the Dominion was highly suitable for fruit growing from one end to the other, but there were too many varieties of apples grown. He understood that about 12'50 different varieties had been introduced, a,nd he declared that at least 1200 were no good. From one or two varieties only in the right place; they could build up a successful commercial orchard and for the export trade, if he had his way, he would cut the varieties down to eight, as the others “were not (worth their salt.” The future of thq apple industry lay with the orcliardists in the first place, and secondly in the insulated chambers of the ship-

ping. Mr Atwood also made some remarks on the insect pests. There wetre about 175 insect pests and fungoid growths in the Dominion known to the scientists, and Dr. Tillyard had told him that there were about 200 more waiting tlie chance to get in. Personally he; (Mr Atwood) would not be sorry to see them in, because then the orefiardist would know exactly where he stood. (Laughter.) Nine-tenths of these “varmints” the fruit farmer -could not see, as they worked in the dark, and his life was spent in one incessant'-struggle against them. At one time he could not sleep at night thinking out the different formulae lie .was recommended to apply. Now, however, sc'ence was coming to the rescue, ahd in that connection he considered that New Zealand had been very silly in losing the services of Dr. Tillyard.