SOLDIERE AND FRUIT-GROWING.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1921, 31 December 1918, Page 2

SOLDIERE AND FRUIT-GROW-ING.

AN' interest in" example of what relumed soldier may do on the land if lie has some 'aptitude for the work, is ready to learn, and gets (he right sort of assistance, is given by the New Zealand Fruitgrower. The returned soldier is Air H. M. Thompson, of Pakowhai, Hastings, who had some experience in the fruit markets of .Manchester, and prior to volunteering for service in the New Zealand Forces was employed as o packman on a Hawke’s' flay station. He was two years at the front, principally at Gallipoli, and on the S.anai Peninsula. Having hut £l5O of capital on his discharge Horn active service, invalided, he was assisted with an advance of £2OO by a well-wisher, a wealthy Hawke’s Bay farmer. He thereupon took up a small fruit farm of eight acres, six acres being in bearing. The orchard contained -1-10 sevcn-aiid-a-hall - year-old trees, principally apples and pears. In an adjoining subdivision in which (he little homestead is located are 220 four-year-old apple trees and some peaches. Some young lemon trees ha.ve recently been planted. The price paid, for the properly was £2,200, and it. was a walk-out walk-in proposition. The furniture of the house, the implements, and a horse were included in the transaction. A goodly quality of fruit was taken off (hi orchard last season, but .Mr Thompson, who is evidently a worker, was not content to depend solely on Iris fruit crop. For instance, on a quarter of an acre of spare laud he grew last year a crop of wafermelons, which gave him the handsome return of £BO. Obtaining the loan of a. carl from Mr Robertson, president of the Hawke s Bay !'railgrowers' .Association, who I alecs j*. keen interest in supervising the orchards of men at (he front, (he voung grower took sonic watermelons into the anlnmti show, and there sold (hem to the public. He left for home at 3 o'clock with £lO in his pocket. On about one-eighth of an acre he also made about £25 out of cucumbers raised from a shilling's worth of seed. The story is interesting, both as showing the suitability of fruit-growing and in-Icn.-ivc cultivation for returned soldiers, always provided (bey aro earnest to succeed. It also indicates that the best way of helping soldiers is (o pul them in the way of helping themselves.