Looking at Industry

Fruitgrowing

Fruit-growing is a tricky business. As well as having to contend with the elements, growers are plagued with insect and fungus problems which, if allowed to run unchecked, would kill this very valuable export industry. Control of these problems is, in the main, handled by spraying and supplying the wherewithal for this work is the Nelson factory of Ivory Spray Chemicals Ltd, Vanguard Street. This month, then, we take a look at this very important industry. The pic op this page shows a spray unit being used on the Champion Road orchard of K. B. Malcolm.

The name of Ivory has been associated with horticulture since 1855 when nurseries were established in Rangiora by the grandfather of Mr C. A. Ivory, founder of the Nelson firm. Early this century the firm began handling machinery and chemicals and in 1920 it moved to Motueka to set up this type of business. The present company was formed in 1951 to specialise in horticultural chemicals and today it has representatives in all the major fruit and vegetable growing areas in New Zealand.

The Vanguard Street factory.

The finished product is born in the laboratory. Here, technician Raewyn Wastney is titrating for acidity.

Field study tests are being carried out here by the firm's chemist, Dick Eade, in the tomato glasshouse of Claude Corrin.

Factory manager Jim Irvine displays pre-packaged chemicals for custom-blend spraying – a field the firm pioneered.

Office staff include Elizabeth Hill, David Malcolm (sales), Bevan Malcolm (sales manager), Valerie Steans, Clement McLean, Alys Johnson and, seated, Geoffrey Smith (secretary).

The firm markets its products all over New Zealand, from the smallest cans for the home gardener, to big commercial quantities. We can't show much of the manufacture of the chemicals, for most of it is carried out in sealed machines.

"Jock" McGregor commences a "mix".

A labelling machine being used by Ashley Johnson.

The finished article is weighed and packed by Alan Hamilton.

Win Le Vavasour completes the packaging.

The men behind it all: manager Mr Peter Ivory and managing director and founder of the Nelson firm, Mr C. A. Ivory.

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The Nelson Photo News

No 96 : October 19, 1968

Looking at Industry