D SERIES - "This Is New Zealand" (Nelson Series), Episode 14. This series of yarns, written and candidly narrated by Jim Henderson, focuses on the people, places and curiosities of the Nelson.
In this episode, Henderson discusses apple-growing in Nelson and the prices for Cox's Orange apples.
He recounts a conversation with a Mapua apple-grower "Ack-Ack Brown", a returned soldier, about the pests and diseases that were affecting his crop. However, he says Mr Brown says Nelson's orchards are generally very healthy.
Jim Henderson runs through the other work growers have to do and then lists the varieties grown in Nelson in the order in which they are in season.
Finding seasonal labour is always a problem from March - April. Then the apples have to be graded and packed.
It is still possible for a grower to lose a fortune in the apple industry and the support of wife and family is essential.