The Fruit Growing Industry.

Motueka Star, Volume I, Issue 20, 18 October 1901, Page 3

The Fruit Growing Industry.

A well attended meeting of the Montere settlers was held at the Jubilee Hah hist evening, when Mr J. C. Blaekmore, the Government' Pomologist, dehveied an interesting address on fruit growing. The chair was taken by Mi- Holdaway, who briefly introduced the speaker. Mr Blackmore lucidly explained many of the reasons of the success and failures of the fruit gi owers, comparing the actual results of fruit growing under many eliverse conditions. He dwelt particrdoily'upon the imperative necessity for a thorough preparation of the land prior to the planting of an orchard, and explained reasons for under drainage, liming for the purpose of neutralising acidity, subsoiling for aeration of the soil, and a thorough preparation of the surface ; the advantages to be elerived from continuous tillage ; the intelligent and judicious application of fertilisers, and the occasional ploughing in of green crops. Hints were given regarding the selection of the best sorts of trees and the limiting of varieties ; the stocks best suited to be worked on ; the necessity for pruning; thiningof fruit ; careful grading, and packing nothing but the best fruit m a careful and attractive manner. The various methods of utilisation of different grades of fruit were explained, particularly apples, by converting cheaply with the aid of proper machinery, into jellies, cider, and vinegar. Brief hints were given for controlling various pests, show— j ing that good results would accrue from sti aying for cocllin moth which could only be obtained by spraying before the calyx lobes turned down. Numerous questions were acked and prompt replies we: e given, the meeting being brought to a close by a hearty v« te of thanks.