OHAUPO.

Waikato Argus, Volume IV, Issue 256, 8 March 1898, Page 2

OHAUPO.

Fruit Culture.—Mr Blaekinoro, Government Poinologist, has been paying this district a visit, his object being to make himself acquainted with the district and its capabilities, as a fruit producing centre. He has visited several of the orchards and expresses the opiniou that lor growing patches ami plums, the Waikato is equal to any place he has seen in the colony, and in many places, wou'd grow cherries to perfection, and where tuch is the ea=<e. the cherry trees should be planted in groves ; say, an acre, and netted in with wire netting, which is done in several places in the South Island, in this way. The trees are not allowed to grow too big, and are kept in check by judicious pruning (Mr Blackmore is a great advocate for pruning), round the grove long posts are sunk like telegraph poles and from these, wire is stretched aero.s the top and round the sides, on which half inch wire netting is fastened, and the whole structure is permanent and bird proof. Does it pay I asked ? Pay, yes, handsomely ; aft?r the first cost, there is no further trouble. Apples can alao ue grown to perfection when the soil is suitable, but he considers the soil not so suitable to the growth of pears. The great fault he found with most of the orchards of the North Islands is, that the trees were not pruned. As pruning not only improves the tree and its fruit, but enables you to keep it under control, so that you can use the syringe on every part of it. JN3 r Bluckmorc contends that there is no insect pest that canuot be kept in clirck by the judicious use of chemicals, even the codlin moth, by syringing and bandaging can le kept under, 60 that not more than five per cent, ot the fruit will be effected. The Southern orchardists recognise that fact, and they are more ameuable to instruction. In growing apples for the market it is better to plant a few varieties, that are good keepers and come in late, as the early sorts are ready when the market is glutted with other fruits. The best sorts for export and commercial purp scs are Cleopatra, Scarlet Nonpareil, French Crabs and King of Pippin, they being all good keepers and retain their flavour for a long time. In Nelson, where there is a jam factory, large quautit es of small fruits are grown profitably, which, he says, could be done here, but in order to keep a jam factory going there must be an assortment of different kinds of fruits. In of the orchards he has seen in the Waikato there is a total lack of knowledge of pruning. With regard to mulching, the best mulch is to keep the soil constantly stirred. In Australia, in an orchard during one of the long droughts, the soil was stirred (not turned over) every few days, and the result was that there was plenty of moisture two inches below the surface and there was an abundant crop of fruit, the trees looking healthy and vigorous, while a patch alongside that was left alone was miserable looking and bore no fruit. From Mr Blackmorc's manner of speaking he appears to be a practical men. He intends in a short time to come round again and deliver addresses in several centres in the Waikato. He certainly does a good deal of travelling, as there is not a mountain or valley in the whole colony ho is not acquainted with, where he cannot go by train he rides a bicycle, and has ridden one machine more than 9000 miles (not a bad adv. for whoever is the maker of that machine). Bicycles.—While on the subject of 1 ikes, I should like to warn some of those young men who dash along recklessly at night to be more careful. The other Sunday evening as the congregation were returning from church a rider came dashing past at full speed, no light or bell, passing within a foot of several groups of people as they were sauntering along, ro warning whatever being given. This is not the first time the same thing has happened. Just fancy a twelve stone man going at the rate of 20 miles an hour and running into a person, and if a collision happened it would be, oh dear, I am so sorry, it was purely accidental, etc. Nothing of the kind, it was gross carelessness. Now it is no part of a newspaper correspondent's duties to act the policeman, but I trust that a little timely warning may have a good effect and so prevent an accident. Chaff.—Considerable quantities of chaff is now being sent away from this station, and in many places the yield is turning out heavier than was expected. One fanner in the Pukerimu district told me his lot would run nearly 2h tons to the acre, but that is an exception ; but I am told several will average two tons, which is an excellent crop considering the s-eason. The price on trucks is, lam told, £3 per ton. Threshing has now commenced. MrH. Short's plant is at Pa'erangi at dis doing gocd work. Mr A. Wallace's traction engine is also in the district, the yields of wheat so far being satisfactory. A Runaway Match.—A sensational tunaway match tot k place in our little township on Saturday evening. It certainly waß not a romantic affair. It appears that some waggons were at the Midway station with chaff, and while the men were lying the chaff on the trucks two of the teams with empty waggons took it into their heads to make a bolt for it. Ones tartcd first, clo;-ely followed by the otner. They got through the gateway without touching and made for the township at a terrific pace. The leading team soi n came to grief by going too near the bank. The waggon upset und the horses were thrown over. The fecond kept the centre of the road and made straight for Mr Edwards' store, but swerved when close to the verandah and dashed along the road at full speed. They pulled up near the school hill. Fortunately, no one was hurt and very little damage tl ne to either waggons or harness. Regret.—Viry general regret was expressed here when the sad news was rece'ved announcing the death of Mrs R. J. Qwynne. Mr Gwynne has the sincere sympathy of all his old friends in this his sad bereavement. Rain and Chops.—The rain of Friday has done a great deal of good. The steady downpour has considerably clucked the swamp fires, and will be the salvation of the turnip crops. Mr Gillett'e, of luneffallen, and Mrs Martyn's arc looking splendid, both crops being a good take with very few misses, and all of an even g'owth. In many cases the plants are coming up very irregularly, some being six inches above the ground, showing a vigorous growth, while others are ouly in first leaf. However, the late rain will toon force them on, so intending purchasers of sheep need not be afraid so far as the turnip crop is concerned.—(Own Correspondent).