GOVERNMENT EXPERTS' REPORT AND AWARD.

Press, Volume L, Issue 15017, 11 July 1914, Page 11

GOVERNMENT EXPERTS' REPORT AND AWARD.

Tho following communications have been received from Mr T. W. Kirk, Director of Orchards, etc., and the local experts of tho Agricultural Department (Messrs W. J. Courtier and Gordon Esam). Wo desire ou our own behalf and that of our i readers to express our thanks to those gentlemen for their great courtesy and tho trou-le they havo taken in this matter. Tho information published in tho report of tho experts will, wo feel sure, be of groat value to tho largo number of our reader- who aro evidently interested in apple-growing:— TO THE EDI-08, OF "THE PHB-S." Dear Sir, —In connexion with the Apple Competition I have. pleasure in sending you herewith a copy of the report of*the competition prepared by Mr Courtier and Mr Esam, to whom I submitted tho lists, considering that from their extensive knowledge of tho gardens around Christchurch, they Avere specially fitted to adjudicate. I trust tho report will meet Avith your approval.—Yours truly, j (Signed) T. W. KIRK, Director of Orchards, etc. Department of Agriculture, Wellington, July 9th,

[ExcxosunE.] • Christchurch, July 6th, 1914. The Director. Orchards, etc., Division, Wellington. Be Apple Competition.—Your letter of the 27th ult. Delay in this matter was due to my absence in West-land. Mr Ksam and I have gone carefully into tho matter and recommend tho following six varieties for a Canterburr garden : — LORD SUFFIELD.—Cooker; fit for uso from tho New Year, _eason very extended, a good cropper and fairly dean.

WOP.Cy-STF.R PEARMAIN.—Good early dessert, regular cropper, season from January to oud of March. REINETTE DU CANADA— Firat-

class cooker, mid-season, fairly clean, and good cropper. JONATHAN.— The best, dessert, midway between Worcester Pearmain aud bturmer Pippin, fine cropper and reasonably clean.

LORD WOLSELEY.-Splondid lac cooker, not susceptible to woolly aphis, fine cropper and keens well * STURMER PIPPLW-Good . lato dessert, regular cropper and keeps well. Anticipating that this list would not be submitted for competition in its entirety, we considered it adA-isablo to go through all tho lists. Those were willingly supplied br the Editor. Strange to say, only 'three lists contained five out of the six varieties wo selected, the sixth apple in each instance making two dessert or tiro cookers of the same season.

We recommend the folloAving as the most suitable list submitted for competition :—

List forwarded by Mr J. H COOPER, Cheviot:

GJIAVENSTEIN. LORD SUFFIELD. COX'S ORANGE PIPPIN. MONROE'S FAVOURITE. STURMER PIPPIN. BALLARAT SEEDLING. , Comments on lists furnished:—ln making our selection ana judging tho lisis Bubmi.-_d for competition, duo weight was given to tbo succession of cookers and dessert: cookers in; our opinion being very essential, and tho most economical from a domestic point of view. Many good lists were spoiled by the inclusion of Irish Peach. Though oarly, it is a shy bearer; fruit inclined to be small and cracks badly, and it is a most difficult tree for the amateur to prune with success. When restricted to six varieties. Irish Peach is not economical to grow. -Many other lists Avero spoiled by the inclusion of both Ribaton Pippin and Cox's Orange Pippin. Those aro both highclass dessert, season about the same, this being the detrimental feature when both fruits were included. Other lists failed through inattention to the claim of cookers and seasonable apples. AH lists werC discarded with three fruits of same season, very many failing in this respect. (Signed) W. J. COURTIER,, Orchard Instructor. •

THE PRIZEWINNERS, Ip accordance, with these awards a cheque for ono guinea will therefore •b_ forwarded to , Ut-S CELIA LAVENDER, 337 Moorhonsa • avenue, Chri-tchurch. MB J. H. COOPER, Cheviot.