COMMERCIAL APPLE-GROWING

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1458, 5 June 1912, Page 10

COMMERCIAL APPLE-GROWING

NURSERYMEN'S ASSOCIATION SUGGESTIONS. The secretary of tlio New Zealand Association of Nurserymen forwards an interesting table compiled by tho association, covering the suggested best fruits for commercial orchards, and from which wo take tho reference to apples.. It is pointed out that one of the many reasons why commercial orcharding was such a failure ill years gone by was undoubtedly owing to tlio large number of unsuitable varieties of fruits that were planted, which mean in practice that tho growers were in reality planting experimental orchards —an expensive and unremuueratire occupation for the individual. Fruitgrowers of the present day have, of course, the accumulated experieneo of years (o help them to make a wise choice, and in this direction they are much better situated than the pioneers in the industry. But even allowing for this, there are still far too many varieties, particularly in apples, arid any movement to reduce the number nml form what might bo termed a standard list (with, of course, due regard to locality) should be a welcome one. During the past summer the. New Zealand Association of Nurserymen seut nut u circular, in which it was urged that, the time had arrived when a determined effort should be made to limit the number nf varieties of fruit trees plailled In a. few of tho very best, suitable to the local soils and conditions, and tho requirements of tho trade. Copies of the circular were sent to the Department of Agriculture, the members of the Nurserymen's Association, secretaries of the various leading fruitgrowers' associations, and others who were deemed to be in a position to give relinble information on the subject. AViMi each circular was sent typed forms to fill in with the twelve most suitable apples, pears, peaches, and European plums-, iind the six best nnrioots. nectarines and Japan or hybrid plnm°, having regard to the dislriet and the requirement? of the markets. Tt was requested tliat an * should be placed to mark varieties considered suitable for export, und f to varieties of value as canners. „ The appeal for information met with a very generous response, with Ihe result Hint the Teplies tn bond cover practically Ihe whole of the fruit-growing districts of both islands, and, 'though by no means final, or even complete, yet* the replies received must form a : valuable, contribur

lion ilo the information already in hand i>a (his important (|iicslion. It is regrettoil 1 hiil (probablv from a sense of inexperienrp) lint few'of the rcliirns contained any inl'onniih'oii us In llii! respective value's fur export purposes of any of Hie varieties recommended. I he. tabulated results of the appeal mii-t lead to further and mnrp exhaustive efforts In limit the varieties »rown In onlv a few ill" (he host and most profitable MirN Under the hond of "llcnarks" ,„„. oorr.pniidenl sn.vs: "There are always a large number of new varieties <if the dilVereul Iniits under tp.-t |,y nur.-i-iyineu and fruit-growers, some of which 'may prove superior to varieties now in cultivation. i, ' I , , 10,,01 " 1 ' 0 . I" , noiTssarv to periodically hold similar fruit elections, m, thai from lime to lime growers may Imvc reliable information as to what aie to lie recommended as the masl reliable varielies to plant, for profit." Another ni.v.s: "II will !„> npeess,,rv to pay more attention in the future („" u, O canning qualities of iippks; (,'olden Pippin, for instance, is an excellent, fnniiitii; Mirt. . . . and will pay well lo grow for that purpose alone. ' The follottiuK digest will show tlio results ot the fruit election. both ~s („ ||, P general opinions and as to the recommendations for the respective districts:— Districts Nam. of VaHoly. Delicious 7 ('lavenstein \ % (; Mumo's (or Ohincmuri) .....'.'""" fi Jonathan f; Keinette du Canada fi Stunner Pippin .'"." 5 (lox's Orango I'ippin ....„ \ t Five Crown Pippin ,{ Dougherty ,( Lord WolseUy "„ ;i Cioldcn Pippin '""_ 3 Northern Spy 2

Thus it will l)o seen that there are nt least half a ddzeji reliable market varieties ot apples that are recommended for planting m almost all parts of the Dominion. the. tu-elro best varieties of apples for market purposes. Those, marked * have been recommended as suitable, for export. Dominion Vote.—Best twelve varieties in the order of voting (total number of varieties mentioned over 70):—Delicious * Gravenstein,* Munro's Favourite (or Ohinemuri),* Jonathan,* Northern Spy, Stunner Pippin,* Scarlet' Pearinaiu> Komo Beanty,'! Cox's Orange Pippin,* Fivo CJrown Pippin,* Doughert'v,* Golden ljippin;* • " 'The folloiving- apply particularly to the Wellington and surrounding districts:— Tauranga, District.—Delicious, Munro's (Ohinenniri), Scarlet Pcarmafn, Reiuette du Canada, Harae's Seedling, 'Williunr's Favourite, Gravenstein, Northern Spy, Golden Pippin, Newton Wonder, Willie Sharp, Eed Astrachaii. Wanganui District,—Delicious, ■• Jonathan, Borne Beauty, Adams's Penrma'n, Ryme.r, King David, Munro's (Ohiuemiiri), Stunner Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin, IJeinette du Canada, Washington, Gi'iivenstein. Hawko's • Bay District.—Delicious, , Munro's (Ohinenniri), * Sturmer Pippin, Cox's Orange Pippin,* Cleopatra,* Newton, Pippin, Gravenstcin, Jonathan,* Rome Beauty,* Dougherty, Shepherd's Perfection,* American Golden Russet. Wellington District. —Delicious, MunroV (Ohinemuri), Sturmer Pippin, Dougherty ISallarat Seedling, Rcinette du Canada Gravenstein, Jonathan, Five Crown Pip pin, Lord Wolseley, Rokeiyood, Alfriston Nelson District. —Delicious, Munro'i (Ohinemuri), Stunner Pippin, Five Crowi Pippin, Ilhodes's Orange, Eeinette. di Canada, Gravenstein, Jonathan, Cox , ; Orango Pippin, Dougherty, Eokewood, Shepherd's Perfection. The Department of Agriculture's recommended list of most suitable twelve varieties is:—Deliciryis," Gravenstein,* Munro's Favourite (New Zealand, Oliinemuri),* Jonathan,* Stunner Pippin,' 1 Scarlet Pearmaiu/' Komc Beauty,* Cox'= Orange 'Pippin,* Fivo Crown Pippin, 4 Adams's Pearmain,' Lord Wolseley, Cleopatra,'-' Ballurat Seedling. Amongst tho promising apples mentioned by sonio growers,'but which failed to secure the necessary number of votes to bo included in cither the Dominion or their district lists, may l>e mentioned Parlin's Beauty, Winesap, Salome, Scarlet Queen, Edward Lippiatt, and Diadem, ill of these, have proved themselves worthy of further tests, as they are all apples possessing good quality, fine appearance, keep well, and are about tho right size for market, while they have been proved in many districts to be good croppers. The "old-fashioned wny" of cheesemaking isn't good enough in these progre=sive days. Toil cannot afford to use tho" old style of Cheese Vat when the "Victor" Vats last longer and are better than any other make. Besides, the profit is so much greater when the "Victor" Vat is used. Manufactured by A. J. P\itTON. REGISTERED PLUMBER, CARTEKTOX.*