PLANT FRUIT TREES NOW

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 382, 16 June 1928, Page 28

PLANT FRUIT TREES NOW

SOILS THEY REQUIRE

Apples. —These succeed best in a deeply-worked and well-manured loamy soil, but good results are also obtained in a light soil that has been properlydug and well enriched. In the case of a very heavy soil it is essential that this should be deeply trenched. In addition, it should be given a good dressing of manure and lime, this application being thoroughly dug in. Apricots. —Here a good loamy soil is the best to which has been added a little extra chalk, lime or mortar rubble, as well as some well-decayed manure. Cherries.— A good mellow loam with lime in it is preferred. Proof of this is found in the way cherries flourish in some of the chalky districts. Free drainage is of very great importance in the case of this fruit, as stagnant moisture in the ground is fatal to a healthy growth. Currants. —Both red and white currants succeed best in a deep, welldrained soil, and if this condition can be secured the bushes often do well on land that is not particularly' rich. Anything like waterlogged ground is very harmful. In the case of black currants a cool, retentive loam in rather a moist situation is the best. The fact that black currants like plenty of moisture is evidenced by the luxuriant way in which they grow in low situations and by pools and streams. Gooseberries.— Here a fairly deep and fertile loam of medium consistency is the best. Free drainage is an important feature with gooseberries. Loamy- soil containing plenty of humus and a fair amount of lime or mortar rubble with it is needed. The soil must be deeply trenched before planting is carried out. Pears. —The pear likes a rich loamy soil with a fair amount of sand or grit in it. On the whole the land on which pears will grow well may be a good deal lighter than that which is required for apples. Plums, Etc. —Plums are fastidious in their likes and dislikes, .and the grower should find out the varieties which succeed best in his district and give the preference to these. A few kinds will grow well almost anywhere. A very rich soil is not so desirable, as this will tend to encourage the production of wood instead of fruit. A strong retentive loam is the best, but lime in some form or another is essential. Free drainage is of great importance. Quince. —lf space permits room should be found for a quince tree, as the fruit is very desirable for preserving, jelly-making, etc. The most suitahle soil is a warm, sandy loam where there is a free drainage. Strawberries.- —ln a general way strawberries will grow in almost any good soil, but some of the varieties show strong likes and dislikes. When making a bed it is well to find out the requirements of the particular variety which is being planted. A good average soil is loam which has been deeplyworked and well enriched with manure.