THE GARDEN

Opotiki News, Volume I, Issue 18, 1 April 1938, Page 1

THE GARDEN

NEW PRUNING METHOD V ' , BIGGER CROPS EXPECTED LOWER ORCHARD COSTS SUCCESS IN GISBORNE A pruning method to induce apples to hang on the trees * like strings of onions lias/proved successful in a Matawliero orchard owned by Messrs Crawford and Hudson, who are the first commercial growers in the Gisborne district to adopt it, says the R.B. Herald. Lower orchard costs resulting from easier spraying' and packing, together with a 50 per cent, increase in crops are expected to result when the full benefits of the system are realised. This method, which is known as the Jong lateral system, is now in its third year of triai in Messrs Crawford and Hudson’s orchard, and the'trees are beginning to show the benefits or it. The manager of the orchard, Mr. N. W. Moore, instituted long lateral pruning when lie took charge three years ago, basing his ideas on what he had seen in Hawke’s Bay and in some of the Auckland orchards. He thinned out many of the laterals from the leaders, but allowed the selected laterals to grow unprmied so that they might grow long and flexible to a length of from Bft. to 3Oft. from the leaders. ; - Like Weeping Willows. When the fruit developed, the weight bore' the laterals over, allowing them to hang in imitation oi. the weeping willow and the fruit Hanging like bunches of onions. 'The laterals have proved so flexible under this plan that they swung freely without breaking, whereas there is a great danger of branches breaking under the weight of a heavy crop. v With the laterals hanging down in this manner, spraying and picking have become.easier, wmle the sun and air are able to penetrate to a greater proportion of fruit than previously, this adding greatly to the colour of the crop. The trees also have put on a great growth since being created in that manner and whereas some had been at a standstill for ■ four or live years they had progressed wonderfully under the present attention, the ioiiage of the .Stunners and the 1 ox's Orange particularly showing a marked improvement. Tress' May Cro-w te & *Jrsat Trees may no grown, to a great height by allowing new sots oi laterals to uevelop auove the ' nrst ones. V* lieu pruning young trees, three or four leaders were selected. These were not cut back, and 3 or the nrst year all fruit was thinned from the end tor a distance ol lift, to 2ft. Gin. so as to keep strength in the leaders. Later, at tne highest points of the bent over laterals, another set of laterals would be t/irown up. this being treated in the same manner as the first. No fruit was allowed to grow on the leaders, the laterals being required to carry it all. (Quicker Picking. Picking is- found to lie much quicker in the orchard now, and with tne system fully developed the average picker should be able to make 50 per cent, greater progress than under tile standard method, for with the fruit hanging to tile ground less ladder work is required than when the orchard staff has to reach to the tops pi laterals) standing up straight, in' addition, the less the ladder is, used, the less is the opportunity oi fruit being bruised.