BLOSSOM TIME.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 226, 23 September 1936, Page 5

BLOSSOM TIME.

IN THE ORCHARDS. GREEN PEAS IN AUCKLAND. FAIR CROPS EXPECTED. It is blossom time in tlic orchards— and the first green peas are being gathered. Spring is in the air about the orchards of Auckland's outer area, and while the pink blossoms of peaches and' the white orf the plums gather on the branches, as the vanguard of the army of colour which will soon overrun the orchards with the blooming of the apple trees, tho oranges and lemons are ripening on the trees. The pretty colourings of the orchards make a drive out through Henderson, Swanson and about, the upper reaches of the harbour at present a very pleasant one. Among the varied greens of the native trees, and the brown tilled fields of the farms the brighter shadings of the orchards form a most attractive picture. Looked at more closely the orchards are thinner than usual —a result of the disastrous storms of last year, and it is Stated that the crops this year will not be as heavy .as usual. Many of the trees are still supported by posts driven into the ground, and some of tligr orchards which suffered severely have' as yet very little to show. t Mechanical Equipment. It is expected that there will bo a better showing in about three weeks when the apple orchards will be in full bloom. The restrictions on the export of Delicious apples from this province owing to the prevalence of brown core has resulted largely in the replacement of treeis of this type with other varieties—particularly Granny Smith, but the orchardist is accustomed to meeting changed conditions whether in the taste of the public or in the weather and the work of the orchard goes on with little disturbance. As in other occupations the use of the machine is gradually becoming more general, and though the horse .md plough is still largely used in the clearing of the ground under the trees, the tractor and the rotary hoe are playing a larger part. On one. large orchard at least there is even a stationary spraying plant, from which pipes lead all.over the 01 chard, so that all is necessary for spraying tliQ, trees is to connect up the hoses with the taps and play the spray over the rows of trees. Sorting and grading machines, boxing plants and the other mechanical equipment now in use on some of these orchards give them almost the semblance of factories. At one orchard-market garden at Oratia there is a large field laid in "Teen peas, which has already a heavy crop, though one portion of it was caught by the frost. The peas are already being picked, and it is anticipated that tliey will be the first locally grown peas on the market this season.