FRUIT-TREE CULTURE

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2830, 22 July 1916, Page 15

FRUIT-TREE CULTURE

AN INTERESTING DEMONSTRATION. A number of looal residents were present at the demonstration on pruning of old and young tree 3in Sir. Osborn's orchard, in Epuui Hainlet, Lower flutt, on Thursday. The method of building up the young tree from the time of planting to the full-bearing tree was thoroughly explained and demonstrated. Most of the spectators were preatly surprised when shown how necessary it was to prune hard back on the young trees, in order t'o produce a sturdy, profitable tree. The instructor went on to show the people how they themselves pruned young trees, straight from the nursery, with the result that a poor, wea.k tTee was produced, and more thau often the blame was then put on to the nurseryman who supplied the -tree..After several trees were pruned, Mr. Webb asked the. spectators to try their hand at pruning, and all errors were pointed out, while in some cases the brauches were pointed to by the instructor for ' the learner to cut. . This proved to bo very instructive. After the pruning a lecture on the principle diseases and modes of combating them, was given. A hearty vote of thanks brought the demonstration to i close. The demonstration on. pruning and spraying of fruit trees at Paraparaumu Government test acre yesterday was well attended. Enthusiasts from Otaki were in evidence. Fruit trees of all descriptions were pruned, and questions were numerous. One pleasing feature in these demonstrations i,s the attendanco of ladies, who, during the last two years, are taking a keen interest in fruit culture, and are proving to be as expert with the pruning shears as they are with the scissors.