APPLE CULTURE.

Globe, Volume XXIII, Issue 2192, 5 March 1881, Page 3

APPLE CULTURE.

[Written Specially for thb "Weekly Pbkss.”] Some few months ago, we called attention to an extract from the columns of “ The American Exporter,” by which it appeared that our Adelaide neighbors had sent a trial shipment of apples to London, which shipment reached its destination in fair condition, and, although the price realised was not such as to justify a repetition of the venture, it was pointed out that a payable trade might be opened up between Australia and London if the fruit were carefully selected, properly packed and landed in England at the time of year when European and American fruit cannot bo obtained.

Contingent on our publication of the item in question, when we asked why New Zealand, or rather Canterbury, with its great fruit-growing capabilities of soil and climate, should not do likewise, a letter appeared from a well-known fruiterer in Christchurch, asking the pertinent question, “ Why Canterbury should not grow enough apples to supply its own wants ?” stating further that in the spring and early summer large quantities of fruit, which could be easily grown in our midst, were imported from America and elsewhere, for which extreme prices were paid ; and pointing out that before we thought of becoming exporters we should first provide for our own wants, and thus retain large sums of money in the province or colony.

That apple culture is a profitable calling need scarcely be asserted. Wo have only to point to several well-known fruit growers in the vicinity of Christchurch who have thriven and become rich—having made money at the calling. Some of them are adding to their possessions, and increasing the area of land under fruit cultivation, and we can conceive no more remunerative industry to farmers, more especially those within, say thirty or forty miles distance from Christchurch, or any notable centre of population, than a few acres of orchard as an adjunct to their ordinary farming operations, and as the planting season will soon be here, we give these hints in the hope that our agriculturists will see the wisdom of first supplying our wants in this respect, and ultimately becoming exporters of seasonable fruit to the old country. The first thing to be done is to select the spot for the orchard. The apple thrives beat in a rich deep loam, or marshy clay, but will do well in any soil, provided it is of a medium character, and as regards moisture, being neither too wet nor too dry. But care must be taken that the land chosen is sufficiently drained, either naturally or artificially, as stagnant water is productive of scale blight, and other evils that will retard the growth, and ultimately kill the trees so situated. These moderate conditions being complied with, and shelter from the high winds being obtained by a belt of forest trses planted wherever necessary, orchards may be planted with fair prospects of good returns, in almost every part of the province or colony. The various kinds of apples may be classed into three groups, viz,, table or dessert, kitchen or cooking, and cider apples; but it is our present intention to recommend the planting of those kinds which come into use during the winter and early spring, some of which will keep till the next season’s fruit is ready for use, as we are convinced that extensive cultivation of those various sorts would prove a paying industry to the growers, and keep a large sum of money in our midst for local use, which now finds its way to America and various parts of Australia. Tho best table apples are characterised by having firm rich flesh, and juice, regular form of outline, and fine coloring. Kitchen apples should have the property of falling readily by the process of cooking into a pulpy mass, of uniform consistency. Those for cider are not as yet obtainable here, or if obtainable, in but limited quantities. The fruit borne by this class is for the most part of a tough, fibrous, and astringent character, and unfit for either dessert or culinary purposes. As a guide to intending apple growers we subjoin lists of the best kinds of winter dessert, and cooking apples, all of which are at present procurable in Canterbury. WINTER DESSERT. WINTER CULINARY. Stumer Pippin French Crab Golden Pippin Cambridge Pippin Old Nonpariel Yorkshire Greening Scarlet Nonpareil Tower of Glammis Nonpareil Kusaett Hollandbnry Northern Spy Norfolk Beanfin Dutch Mignonne Blenheim Pippin Golden Rnaaett Winter Majeting Count Pendu Plat Beinette de Car ala Margil Norfolk Stone Pippin Pearson’s Plate Striped Beanfin London Pippin Alfriston. Warner’s King The list might be extended to a greater length, but all those named are of the best sorts, and well suited for the purpose we have advocated. In addition, there are many of the American and Russian varieties being raised by our Canterbury nurserymen, some of which are sure to be good sorts, and from which great things in the apple world are ex-, pected ; but, as they are mostly untried, we forebear to notice them till next season.

Two questions, arising out of the foregoing remarks, naturally present themselves. The first is—which is the best kind of trees to use for shelter ? and in reply we refer to the result of experience, which proves that some of the “pinus” family are preferable, alike on account of its rooting habits and the close contact allowable between the trees planted fur shelter and those for profit. The second question is, as to where the various kinds of apples wo have specified can be obtained ? To that we can only say that the various nurserymen in and about Christchurch have them in stock.