GOOSEBERRY GROWING

Evening Star, Issue 15478, 28 April 1914, Page 8

GOOSEBERRY GROWING

HOW TQ MAKE IT PAY.

{Special to the Stab.]

INVERCARGILL, April 22. There aws few fruitgrowers in New Zealand who give attention to the cultivation of gooseberries on an extensive scale, and it would be surprising to find any who made a livelihood solely by growing this kind of fruit. A successful' Australian nurseryman, the owner of large gooseberry crops in New South Wales, has been for some months past engaged in inspecting various districts in the Dominion, with the object of selecting a suitable locality in which to establish a gooseberry plantation. He concluded hia tour of inspection this morning, when he arrived at Invercargill, and, in speaking to a reporter, said it was somewhat surprising that New Zealand fruitgrowers neglected the cultivation of the gooseberry ou a commercial scale, because, owing to the excellent soil and favorable atmospheric conditions, it would be a most profitable occuoation. and if; carried on on the right lines would be sufficient for a decent livelihood. Asked what districts he thought most suitable far the | purpose, he said he would not consider | the North Island at all, hut would in all probability select Canterbury or Otago. The crop, ho said, is not one that requires a lot of attention, but its returns, under arret king like fair conditions, compare more than favorably with atrj other class of fruit, and. they bear so soon that they should he particularly attractive to the orchardist who is laying out new ground, while to the man with a large area they have the recommendation that they ripen early. “ From what I can learn,” the gentleman said, “there is always a good demand, and it would be encouraging to the prospective planter to know that no matter how bad a reason may be the or-

chardist could depend upon having a cron of some sort, for a complete failure with gooseberries is rare." Continuing, he said the selection of sheltered, moist land which has been thoroughly cleaned and worked to a good depth before planting, in order to give the roots an opportunity to get well down, and also to conserve moisture, was best for the purpose. —Variety and Treatment.— Asked what varieties would suit the climate of this country, he replied that there are a number of good varieties, but only one best, and it is for the grower to decide what that is likely to be, having regard to his conditions. After trying a number of varieties, he himself decided in favor of the Roaring Lion, which is a strong, vigorous, and hardy bush, and a prolific bearer; the berries are large, thinskinned, and well suited for market. His method is to prune well back, and alwavs to a top bud, in order to make the growth as upright as possible, thus keenin'? the bush well off the ground. The roots should be carefully pruned, and any buds showing amongst the roots that are likely to send off suckers should be cut or rubbed off. He has found that where the Bushes will persist in sending their roots to the surface they never thrive well. It also makes cultivation more difficult. The distance apart in rows will vary with localities not a little, but six feet apart would be sufficient if it is intended to do the cultivating by hand, but if it is intended to work in between the bushes with a horse, then seven feet apart would not be too much, or - even eight feat. —F ert i Users.— When planting it is advisable to mix a little bonedust with the soil, so as not to let it come in direct contact with the roots. No more, manure is needed then until the third or fourth year, when the bushes begin to carry a fair quantity of berries. Then manure very lightly at first, and each year as the’ bushes get larger increase the quantity. The mixture used in his own orchard was 7jcwt of bonedust and 7ycwt of Shirley’s No. 5, with of sulphate of potash. Last season this was applied to a quarter-acre block of eight-year-old bushes, giving them at the rate of IScwt per acre. The block consisted of 262 bushes. The returns were 220 cases, which would he equal to 880 cases per acre, or nearly nine tons, which clearly shows that it pays to manure judiciously. It has often been said that artificial manures are quickly washed out of the soil, but his experience had gone to show that this is not so. Where artificial manures are being continually used the land should be well limed every four years. The method of working adopted is to prune during the present months, manuring early in August, spreading the fertiliser lightly over the entire space between the bushes, and then forking it well into the soil; then until picking time the surface is kept loose with the hoe. —Picking and Marketing.—

When picking the fruit it is inadvisable lo wait until the berries are full-grown, but as soon aa they are large enough to ensure getting top market price go over the whole of the bushes, picking the largest ones only. In this manner the consignments are of uniform size, and the bushes, relieved of the largest berries, have ah opportunity of quickly developing the smaller ones. In marketing berries the aim should be to make them as attractive as possible when the cases are opened up. In order to do this each case should be neatly papered. Care must also be taken that the berries are not hot when put in the cases, or they will wilt or berome soft. After the picking is done the ground should be worked up with the hoe to soften it, so that it will absorb as much of the rainfall as possible, and also keep the weeds in check, otherwise they would soon smother the bushes. They may then be left till pruning time comes round again. In conclusion, he said he would return to New Zealand shortly, and hoped to carry out gooseberry cultivation on a large scale for commercial purposes.