I.—6b

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140. And the same with America ? —The same with America. 141. They would pay well for fruit in America?— Yes, just as well as in London. 142. The Chairman.] You mentioned the charges ior freight, &c, as 7s. 6d. ?—Yes. Of the fruit I sent to America about half was damaged. 143. Mr. Walker.'] Was that put in a cool-chamber ? —No; that was the evil of it. Even if it had been on deck, with an awning over it, the fruit would have come out better; but it was put in the hold near the engines, and evidently without any care bestowed on it. 144. Is it the same treatment in the Direct steamers ?—ln the Direct boats there is a coolchamber. 145. Therefore, if you pay double you get more care for your money ?—Not merely care, but the right temperature. It takes six weeks from the time of packing the fruit until it reaches London; only three weeks to America —or half the time. The time required for going to the English market is therefore against it. 146. Could you not get some special arrangement made for carrying fruit ?—No. That is just one of the things that I would wish the Government to interest themselves in. 147. So as to provide a cool-chamber ? —Yes; a cool-chamber which could take your fruit from here or from the South to be shipped at Auckland for the American market. 148. I want to get from you what you would recommend to be done by the Government to encourage this industry practically ? —My feeling has been that the people of New Zealand expect Government to do everything. I do not think it is so much a matter of money as of encouragement in various ways that suggest themselves. I think the fruit industry is as well worth consideration as the fishing industry. I know that in Auckland, at the Bay of Islands and in other places, people are trying to do their best, though in a small way at present. 149. The Chairman.] Is it that the Government should disseminate information ?—As to experimental orchards, we have gone beyond that stage. We have orchardists in New Zealand who thoroughly understand what ought to be done. They can do better than any Government can do for them. Take Mr. Dobie, of Whangarei: he has gone far and away beyond anything that the Government can do. He is a practical illustration of what one man can do. 150. Do you think that means should be at their disposal for subsidies for the development of fruit-growing associations ?—I would very much prefer the bonus system —a respectable sum to be given for a particular fruit. These papers will show the Committee the pains which the Government in Canada take to disseminate information. They send special reporters to the various association meetings, who take down the conversation of fruit-growers, and the information gained is distributed in pamphlet form. As an instance of the interest taken by the Canadian Government in horticultural topics, I have picked out the following list from the Canadian Horticulturist, showing the various subjects on which gentlemen were requested to speak at the Farmers' and Fruit-growers' Institute: viz., the varieties of apples to plant for foreign market; best time to purchase, plant, and the treatment after planting; the small-fruit garden for the farmers; action of manure on soils; drainage; agriculture as an exact science in Japan; farmers' gardens—size required for a family of eight, what to grow, fruit, vegetables ; money in orchards; small fruits — what and how to grow; insect-pests, and way to subdue them; strawberry-culture for amateurs ; grape-culture in Central Ontario; growing walnut-trees for shelter, ornament, and for profit; management of grounds around our public schools; horticulture and agriculture on the farm; beautifying the homes; hardiest and best varieties of apples for our northern districts; profit of fruit-growing as contrasted with ordinary farming; causes of failure in apple-growing; pruning trees ; manures for the apple orchard ; spraying trees ; how to pack and ship fruit; importance of the home fruit-garden ; small fruits for profit; fruit as food. 151. But the Government cannot do anything without the association: who is to create the association ? —I think that at Christchurch there is a sufficient number of men to do something practical. I believe there is a fruit-growers' association there now, and there is a similar body in Wellington. 152. Do Canada, Victoria, and New South Wales give bonuses on exported fruit ? —I am not prepared to say. Government in those places have done a great deal towards assisting the fruit industry. 153. Have you thought of the soils most suitable for fruit trees ? Do you consider that the poorer soils around Auckland are suitable for growing fruit-trees ? —No; not trees that will live long. 154. Would trees nourish in the "home of the kauri," for instance?—l should not like to plant an orchard on such soil. The kauri-tree grows on poor land. Ido not think I would be one to take up a piece of kauri land for growing fruit on. Trees in such soil will grow for some time, but they soon become unhealthy. A good strong soil is the best. My orchard is on strong volcanic soil. A good many people in Auckland have been growing fruit-trees in a yellow-clay soil with fair results, but a strong volcanic or alluvial soil is much better. On the clay you must help the trees with stable or other manure. If you want good fruit, and plenty of it, you must have good soil. 155. The Waikato light soils you do not think suitable ?—No, lam told not; but still I believe there are some good orchards there. 156. We could not depend, then, upon Taupo district as affording large areas for successful fruit-growing ? —No. You see, the New Zealand soil is so patchy. You may have a good piece of land lying close to another piece of very poor land. There may be patches all through the island of suitable soil. 157. Mr. Walker.] Have you any experience of walnuts?—My experience of them is not satisfactory, but I believe other people have been more successful. 158. Chestnuts?—l have planted some: they are growing well. 159. Do you know any thing about vines ?—Not much. I have left that part of fruit-growing to other people, who grow them under glass. In Auckland they find that, taking everything into account, it is better to grow grapes under glass: they get better grapes, and the glass keeps the