THE FRUIT GARDEN

Evening Star, Issue 21992, 30 March 1935, Page 3

THE FRUIT GARDEN

April is the month that we can begin to plant alj kinds of fruit trees; that is if the climatic conditions permit. In small gardens apples should comprise 75 per cent, of the fruit trees planted. By a selection of the right varieties they can be had the whole year round. The following are the most suitable for dessert and culinary purposes:—Dessert: Irish Peach, Mr Gladstone, Allington Pippin, Cox’s Grange, Delicious, Gravenstem. Jonathan, Stunner, and Rokewood. Culinary ; Keswick Codlin (early), Lord Suffield (earlv), Peasgood’s Nonsuch, Munro’s Favourite, Prince Alfred, Statesman, Rymer, and Alfriston. Pears come next in order for dessert purposes. The following are the best:—Clapp’s Favourite (very early), Conference (one of the best), Doyenne du comice, William, Bon Chretien, Winter Cole, Winter Nelis, and Vicar of Winkfield (late winter). Apricots need a warm situation in Dunedin and district. Moorpark (very early and hardy), Roxburgh Red, and Royal arc the most suitable for our climate. Cherries are the first fruit to ripen, and they fruit successfully in and around Dunedin. Wet soils must be avoided. They do best on well-drained soils. T reco'mmend Black Tartarian Improved (large heart shape, best cherry in cultivation), White Heart (one of the best for the home garden), jarlv Rivers (very early), Reddish Black, and Black Heart (mid-season). Plum is another fruit that does well in Dunedin and district. Good kinds; Burbank (yellow with red cheek, very early), Coe’s Golden Drop (large oval fruit), Monarch (very late, purple), Victoria (red, very large, mid-season), and Green Gage (unequalled in quality). Black currants; Boshop Giant is a splendid currant, very large, and free bearing. Black Champion also is a currant worthy of a place in any fruit garden. These currants are a great improvement on the older varieties. Red currants are very useful for jellies, etc. Red Dutch and Red Imperial are the pick. White currants; White Dutch and White Imperial are the best. Gooseberries are grown very extensively for home use, but we often see very small berries owing to poor varieties being planted and cultivation. The following are all large and free bearing:—Whinham’s Industry (red), London (red), Gregory’s Perfection (dessert), and Downing (green).