POOR QUALITY OF YOUNG CITRUS TREES SUPPLIED

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22669, 21 June 1948, Page 6

POOR QUALITY OF YOUNG CITRUS TREES SUPPLIED

SOME NURSERIES OFFEND

The quality of citrus trees being: produced by a number of nurseries in growing: districts in regard to the condition of the seedlings at the time of budding, the height from the ground of the budding, the care in selection of budwood and its source were matters discussed during the concluding stages of the annual conference of the New Zealand Citrus Council in Gisborne on Thursday.

In regard to the establishment of a nursery or nurseries, it was decided that each district should cater for its own requirements and make separate arrangements. The following additional remits were adopted:— "That the Department of Agriculture be asked to closer investigate the methods and practice of nurserymen in their propagation of nursery trees, particularly with reference to age, size and condition of seedlings at the time of budding, the height at which buds are inserted in the stocks, and the source and quality of the buds used, and that the report be made available to the Citrus Council.” "That selected budwood from citrus trees be charged for by orchardists at the rate of not less than £1 per 100 buds.”

“That it should be obligatory for all nurserymen and retailers to keep a record of all sales of citrus trees, such record to show the origin of each tree sold, as well as the purchaser’s name.”

Control of Canker

"That the Government amend the citrus canker regulations to read that any area proclaimed as having been infected with citrus canker should not receive a clean certificate for the sale of nursery stock to other districts until there has been no further outbreak for five years, nor should any nursery with this evil be permitted to propagate further stock, even to the extent of closing the nursery.” “That the Government be asked to take steps in the control of citrus canker by prohibiting nurserymen from selling or removing citrus trees from their properties except in accordance with a permit issued by the district orchard instructor." “That in view of the apparent inconsistencies in the granting of permits to replant citrus trees in cankerdeclared areas, the Horticultural Division be asked to clarify the position, and if growers could show any apparent inconsistencies they were asked to submit evidence to their district canker committees.” "That the Government be asked to implement the recommendation made by the citrus development committee regarding extensive plantings of citrus fruits.”

Horticultural Irrigation

“That the Department of Agriculture be asked to appoint a horticultural irrigation officer to advise fruitgrowers and growers of other horticultural crops on irrigation matters and to arrange irrigation tests in orchards and market gardens.”

“That in view of the acute shortage of hydrated lime for spraying purposes, the Government be urged to facilitate importations from overseas.” “That in regard to the importation of sweet oranges from fly-infested areas of New South Wales, the same restrictions as obtain in inter-State trading in Australia apply with New Zealand importations.”

“While appreciating the action of the Minister of Agriculture in his statement not to import grapefruit during the New Zealand season, the conference expresses anxiety at the proposed increased importation of _ Australian oranges, which, it feels, will produce chaotic conditions with all New Zea-land-grown fruit in internal distribution and marketing.?