Fruit Industry.

New Zealand is also a country well adapted for fruit growing, as is evidenced from the large attention that is being devoted to the planting and cultivation of orchards. Every year quantities of fruit, such as apples, pears, plums, and even peaches, are allowed to fall from the trees and rot on the ground, or are used for feeding cattle and pigs, which might be turned to better account if arrangements were made for exporting in good order to the markets of this land. I am glad to say that some of the attempts recently made to place our fruit in prime condition on the London market have been crowned with success, and much encouragement has been taken as the result. When it is considered that tropical fruits, such as the orange, lemon, guava, &c., can be produced in the northern part of this island, as well as all manner of stone and soft fruits known in the old world, it will be seen what a range of possibilities are before those who have ready hands and willing hearts. The total number of acres returned as used for orchards in 1891 being 17,047 acres, an increase of 9,270 on the year. Not only are there possibilities of sending home the fruits of our orchards by means of cool chambers, but science is doubtless coming to our aid by processes of evaporation, whereby the full flavour of our fruit may be retained in a dry condition. Also our jam and fruit preserving factories are using large quantities, which in the future will find their way to English homes. Thus will the wonderful productiveness of our glorious country be made available for the support of millions both directly and indirectly.