The Tender Fruit

The Tender Fruit. A documentary on the cultivation of stone fruit in Central Otago. The history of orchards in Central Otago, the unique growing conditions and the special considerations and techniques of local orchardists are discussed. The narrator is Bruce Broadhead.

An unidentified man [Geoff Taylor] talks about his grandfather arriving in Clyde during the 19th century goldrush, and staking a claim in Conroy's Gully. He planted some fruit trees which did well and he decided to plant more on top of the tailings left behind by mining.
Stuart Kemp of the Department of Agriculture at Alexandra explains why the Central Otago climate suits stone fruit.

In spring, the danger of frost has to be tackled, with growers spending several hundred pounds a year frost-fighting. An unidentified grower explains how apricots are susceptible to frost damage and what is done to fight it, including alarms which go off when the temperature drops and then diesel-filled pots are lit between the trees.

Another grower talks about irrigating crops in Alexandra during summer and bird-scaring to keep the cherry crop safe. "Walking men" - scarecrows on a cable which are pulled back and forth, tins on wires, shooting and playing the radio on loudspeakers.

Harvesting is done by locals and pickers who come on a working holiday. A mechanical box making machine is heard. Mr Weaver, a grower is interviewed about how the box maker operates.

After harvest, the fruit goes to cool-stores. An unidentified man explains the role of the Apple and Pear Board coolstore at Alexandra, which handles the crops from smaller growers.

Geoff Taylor describes how crops used to be sold in the early days, being transported by horse and wagon and then train to Dunedin.

Mr W.A. Campbell, the station master at Alexandra, explains how Railways organises an airlift of local fruit to North Island markets for Christmas and again in January. The Bristol Freighter plane is filled with cherries, picks up eggs at Oamaru and then flies to Paraparaumu.