HOMESTEAD ORCHARD

Wairarapa Times-Age, 15 June 1938, Page 9

HOMESTEAD ORCHARD

POINTS IN ESTABLISHMENT AND MAINTENANCE. VARIETIES FOR WAIRARAPA CONDITIONS. At a well attended meeting of the Carterton Young Farmers’ Club last Thursday an address was given by Mr M. Davey, Government Orchard Instructor for the Wairarapa district on the “Establishment and Maintenance of the Homestead Orchard.” The opening remarks of the Instructor dealt with the desirability of farmers living at some distance from the township growing their own fruit. While not particularly advocating the growing of pears and apples which could often be purchased in case lots at prices below cost of production the growing of stone fruits and small fruits was commended for their consideration. The grounds on which it was desirable to grow these two classes of fruit were that stone fruit was not extensively grown in the Wairarapa and the cost of these two classes of fruit was higher than pip fruit while it was much more perishable and would not stand transportation well. It was pointed out that the area required for the growing of 18 fruit trees recommended and which would be ample to meet the needs of the average family would entail the setting aside of about one-sixth of an acre of the farmer’s land. In selecting the site for the proposed orchard Mr Davey stated that it was desirable to choose a portion of the most fertile land, adjacent to the homestead for convenience, well drained, with a northerly or north-easterly aspect and if possible sheltered from southerly and north-westerly winds. Where shelter did not exist it was essential to plant some suitable trees to effect that purpose.

After dealing with the recognised methods of planting fruit trees Mr Davey submitted to the meeting the following list of varieties of various fruit trees which would be found suitable to provide a succession of the various fruits in season: —Apricots. Moor Park, best all round. Plums' English; Blue Diamond, cooking and jam; greengage, cooking and dessert; Ponds seedling, cooking and dessert; Evan’s Early, very early; Plums, Japanese hybrids; Purple King and Santa Rosa, highly prolific. Peaches, Mayflower, very early; Peregrine, midseason; Mary’s Choice, bottling; Golden Queen, bottling (late). Apples, Cox’s Orange, early; Jonathan, midseason; Golden Delicious, autumn; Sturmer P., late winter (two trees recommended). Pears, Wm. Bon Chretian, early dessert; Winter Cole, late dessert. Small fruits, 6 raspberries, Lloyd George or Northumberland Fillbasket. 6 black currants, Carter’s Champion. Gooseberries, Gregories Perfection, the best all-round varieties. •

Mr Davey laid stress on the desirability of planting European plums in preference to Japanese varieties on account of the much better quality and utility of the English varieties. Tw.o Japanese varieties of plums, however, were included in the list oh account of their outstanding merits.

The question of manuring was also dealt with and Mr Davey strongly recommended that farmers having access to stock manures should use those in preference to artificial fertilisers. With regard to pruning the principles and objectives of pruning fruit trees were explained to those present and so far as possible in the form of an address the various methods applicable to the different kinds of fruit trees were indicated. The control of pests and diseases was dealt with as fully as time allowed, Mr Davey stating that the methods underlying the control of insects were based on the habits and life history of each individual class of insect, while various fungus diseases were controlled by chemical compound which were preventive of their development. Regarding cultivation which the instructor stated it was essential to carry out for the wellbeing of the trees, the main points to observe were that cultivation should be employed during the hot summer months to conserve soil moisture and that at no time deep cultivation should be resorted to. This was particularly important in connection with stone fruit trees and small fruits. Referring to the storing of fruit, mainly apples and pears, recommendations were given by which fruit could be best stored for winter use.

Several questions were then asked by members concerning the subject of the lecture. At the close of the address the- chairman stated that he had learned a lot about a subject on which he himself was not conversant, and on behalf of those present he thanked Mr Davey for an interesting and valuable address. The motion was carried by acclamation.