THE ORCHARD.

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXIV, Issue 4524, 7 February 1923, Page 2

THE ORCHARD.

HARVESTING THE CROPS. INSTRUCTOR’S ADVICE. Mr W. C. Hyde, orchard, instructor, writing in the “N.Z. ’journal of Agriculture,” says:— While small lines of early pip fruits have been picked during the past month (Beauty of Bath appl? was ready for the Christmas market in some localities) it. is not until the month of February that the harvesting of the main crop of pip fruit commences.

The modern practice of using more care and discrimination in picking the fruit has 1 given most gratifying results, especially with the earlier ripening varieties. This is a difficult art, however, owing to the widely differing habits of varieties and the different uses to which the fruit is to he put. But much of the loss in transit and storage, and of the disappointment to buyers and consumers, will be avoided if the pickers, are carefully instructed and supervised. For export purposes experience has shown that if pip fruits are picked at the first sign of maturity, and afte”wards receive proper treatment, their keeping qualities are greatly enhanced- Practically all the Cox's Orange, Golden Pippin, Scarlet Pearmain, Worcester Pearmain, and Allington Pippin apples were away from Nelson about the middle of February last year. While awaiting shipment tjiev were in the cool store, and on arrival in London opened up in good condition. It is very tempting to simplify the work by making one picking of the crop, but it is not possible to do so successfully ; a large proportion will have reached maturity, while the balance is immature. Pickers will earn the gratitude of tile packing-shed staff and save a great deal of unnecessary work if all really waste fruit is not put into the boxes, but is dropped at the foot >t the trees It is tiresome for graders to have to cull it out of the better qualities when it obviously is onl?' suitable for pig feed. At the end of the harvest a number of such young animals will find good grazing in many an orchard for a considerable period.