STRAWBERRY GROWING

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 869, 13 January 1930, Page 10

STRAWBERRY GROWING

CAUSES OF PLANT MORTALITY Investigation of the mortality of strawberry plants, which was found to be much heavier in Northcote, Birkdale, Takapuna, and other marine boroughs, has forced Mr. M. C. Hyde, a Department of Agriculture horticulturist, to the conclusion that drainage and the physical condition of the soil are definitely associated with the losses.

This information was given by Mr. Hj'de to a meeting of the Auckland Strawberry Growers’ Association on Saturday. He assured them that where the drainage and physical condition of the soil was good there was no sign of disease in strawberry plots. Inspection of plots showed that in Mount Roskill, where approximately a third of the total plants was grown, crops were apparently immune. Mr. Hj'de said that the physical condition of the soil was always best where there was good cultivation and drainage. He advised people, who could not obtain the best conditions, not to attempt to grow the fruit, as the risks of loss were too great. Success depended mainly on the preparation of the bed. It was a grave mistake to plough wet land, he said, because the soil puddled and prevented the escape of excess moisture, thus causing the greatest losses. He considered that tile-draining, which he had seen in several places, was the best method of overcoming the problem. On the other hand, if the land was tilled at a suitable time and occasionally sub-soiled, it would serve as well. Sub-soiling should be carried out at least every three years.

The land should be sown with a green crop when the strawberry crop was finished, while the addition of humus facilitated drainage. He pointed out that while many open drains had been placed advantageously the laj'out was sometimes objectionable. K the water was allowed to lie on the ground it would probably cau/se disease and loss.

It was reported that the strawberi*y* season was expected to finish shortly. Supplies of good quality Helensley’s Surprise and a few good condition varieties of Captain Cook are still coming forward. The yield has been smaller than last season because of heavy rain, which has also depressed the market.

The association passed a resolution urging the Department of Agriculture to continue its research work and to carry out a series of experiments to locate’ the cause of the mortality.