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Abstract.
The author gave the result of his experimental culture of a large number of different fruit trees and other plants, the introduction of which he considered of value to New Zealand. He showed that a much greater variety were suitable to the soil and climate than was generally supposed, and that if the settlers devoted attention to such cultivation they would add greatly to the resources of the country, and to the profitable employment of their industry. He has found that a great many kinds of the vine can be cultivated with success, and that even if wine could not be successfully made, the crop of grapes would yield a large profit if converted into raisins by the artificial drying process adopted in California. He has succeeded in growing twelve kinds of fruit trees from Japan, which promise good results. In illustration of the importance of the subject, he quoted the enormous sums of money obtained in other countries by the systematic cultivation of fruits.
Dr. Hector thought the paper valuable and suggestive, and pointed out that in the North Island the settlers coming from Great Britain would have to rely upon many kinds of produce with which they were unfamiliar in the old country, if the best resources of the country were to be developed.
Mr. Lee was glad to know that the cultivation of fruit was attracting some attention at last, as it was a valuable source of income, peculiarly adapted to the circumstances of small settlers.
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The Hon. Mr. Chamberlin mentioned, as a curious circumstance, that the Cape goos-berry that used to be sold in Auckland for 3d. per pound, could not now be obtained for less than 1s. He considered it a most valuable fruit, but its cultivation did not seem to be successfully achieved.
Mr. Kirk said that the Cape goosberry would grow on any good soil that was suitable to the tomato, and attributed its disappearance to the pheasant. It is not creditable to New Zealand that there should be such an enormous importation of fresh and preserved fruits from other countries, for with ordinary attention this colony should not only be self-supporting but should also be a large exporter of the best kinds of fruit. He looked forward to the successful cultivation of the orange on a large scale. The vine he did not expect to be successful, as far as making wine was concerned, as there is a want of sufficient sun-light in New Zealand at the proper season. The author had not mentioned several important plants, such as tobacco and chincona, from which quinine is made; the latter had been shown by the Auckland Acclimatisation Society to thrive well. He thought it unfortunate that there was not an experimental botanical garden established in New Zealand. Had such been the case ten or twelve years ago, the settlers might now be in possession of several valuable sources of income.
Dr. Hector thought that the author would feel gratified at the reception his paper had met with. He did not agree with Mr. Kirk that there was a deficiency of sun-light, as observations had shown that in the interior of both islands the sun had a power that was unequalled in any other temperate climate, and that in consequence, even in the interior District of Otago, light wines could be produced of excellent quality.
The President agreed with the last expressed opinion, and pointed out that the power of the sun depended on the dryness of the atmosphere, and that, again, on the physical conformation of the country, so that while some parts of New Zealand were unsuited to perfecting the grape other districts were well adapted for its cultivation.