ORCHARD INSTRUCTION.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1827, 13 August 1913, Page 10

ORCHARD INSTRUCTION.

Notwithstanding the . unsatisfactory , weather, a fair number of peoplo attended ■■the demonstration on pruning of fruittrees and address on "The Fruit Industry," . at Jlr. Cheetham's orchard, Whiteuian'a Valley, by Mr. T. C. Webb, , Orchard Instructor. Great interest was' taken.in tho shaping of young trees to procure a good foundation, and the renovating of old trees to produce new wood and. fruit spurs. Diseases of fruit' ; ami' modes of combating were also dealt ' with'.' Thoso present. showed ■■ surprise when, to-ld tho net return.of an acre of fruit-trees after four years' planting, with' .[proper pruning and cultivation. The cost ■ for four years was' also given, including 'j'tho buying of trees and labour throughoiit.'Tlie instructor'explained that he. did I not' wish to mislead the beginner with a glowing account. Some thought that all '.they had to do was to plant tie trees and then sit down aiid wait for the golden , ,orqp. , This was ■ not so. Fruit culture was no plaything, and there were many difficulties to be faced, such as adverse seasons a,nd the eradication of insect pD3ts •and, f.ungiis diseases. If-practically and properly carried out, however, a very fair •return' might be reaped from ths labour ' HauU. outlay expended on the orchard, and : giypji fair advantages a man could gain a competency in an interesting and healthy [ $mplp;nient.. Whitman's Valley was one : pf;:tlu> many valleys' in the Wellington i tii'stwcifc- admirably adapted for fruit-grow-jiigj.iatul the instructor showed surprise . thato.the advantage of extending the , oixhanls thiere had not been taken. :