VINE AND LEMON CROWING

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVII, Issue 2476, 15 April 1909, Page 6

VINE AND LEMON CROWING

SIGNOR BKAGATO'iS OPINIONS

Signor Bragato, Government viticulturist, who lias been in Gisborne for a few days, returns to Auckland by the Waikare this morning. During his visit he inspected a number of vineries and orchards in the district, and ,in. conversation with a “Times” reporter last evening said that lie was surprised to fimUGisborne so suitable for lemon culture. “As far as I can see,” said S!gnor Bragato, “this district could be made a great lemon growing locality if the culture was only taken up on. right lines by enterprising people, who would choose the proper marketable varieties. Lemon growing is very lucrative, and good fruit-could be produced here. There- is a certain and profitable market lor the fruit. There is a big demand in New Zealand for lemon squash, while the skins can be made into candied peel, large quantities of which are now imported. Some varieties of lemon, such as the Bergamot, aro produced for the manufacture of pure citric acid, and this variety, I am sure, would grow well here. The Bergamot oil can be extracted, and for that there is a ready market and a big profit waiting. I saw lemons grown near Gisborne, and while they were not the best I have seen, I can say that lemon growing could, with proper cultivation, be made a big and lucrative industry. “The Gisborne district is also highly suitable: for vine growing, both of the table and wine varieties of grapes. The temperature is right, the rainfall is right, and the direction, of the winds is right. The. best position for vines is on a north-eastern bill slope, and I am persuaded that if landholders would only start by planting a few acres, and properly cultivating them, they would

soon see what the experiment was worth and go in for large vineyards. In a place like Gisborne, where land is valuable, there could be nothing better to induce closer settlement than grapegrowing, because the profits are so big. Then again, grape-growing gives light, healthy employment for people of ali ages, and is not toilsome labor'. A few of the settlers have promised me,” said Signor Bragato, in conclusion, “to put in more, vines, and I will como back to Gisborne to see how they are getting on, and to give any advice I can.”