CITRUS TREES MOW BEING PRODUCED IN GREATER NUMBERS

Gisborne Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 22758, 2 October 1948, Page 8

CITRUS TREES MOW BEING PRODUCED IN GREATER NUMBERS

PRICE TO FIND LEVEL Sleadily, the supply of citrus seedlings for the householder and commercial planter in Gisborne is improving, and what is most important prices will then find a level more in keeping with the value of the tree. Gisborne is becoming less dependent upon outside districts for its requirements. District nurseries have been taking up the wartime lag in production created bv reduced staffs over that peried. Next year there will be an improvement, and it is expected that conditions will be almost normal the following season. In California great care is taken over the selection of trees and attention is being drawn in the following text to extracts from an article prepared by Mr. J. C. Johnston, extension specialist in citrieulturc, University of California: — Handicap of Poor Trees "Success in the production of citrus fruits is determined to a large extent by the vigour and inherent productive capacity of the trees. No combination of good soil and water, favourable climate, and skilful management can overcome the handicap of poor trees," Mr. Johnston states. "For this reason it is wise to buy the best trees obtainable. Even a slight increase in production will quickly repay the small added cost of superior trees.

"Good citrus nursery trees will have large, thrifty leaves and'bright, clean bark. The trunks of the tre'es should have grown in one continuous flush. II the growth has been checked at intervals, this will be indicated by joints or markings on the bark at points where the growth stopped. "The bud union should be smooth and at least Gin. above the soil level, to avoid possible infection by the organisms which cause gummosis. Rootstocks which have stood in the nursery too long before budding should be avoided because they are likely to be less vigorous. "These older rootstocks can be identified by the dark gray bark and the marked difference in diameter between the stock and the scion. The scion should be nearly as thick as the stock. Desirable Nursery Trees "Citrus nursery trees are usually dug one or two years after budding, but most growers prefer one-vear buds because it takes a good tree to reach marketable size in one growing season after budding. One-year buds can be identified easily because they have leaves on their trunks, whereas older trees do not. ’ "Citrus roots are very, easily killed by drying, and the utmost care must be used in handling bare-root trees to keep the roots moist at all times by covering them with damp moss or other suitable material. They should not be kept in water. Such practice often causes serious root injury. "Nursery trees should be well grown, but productive capacity cannot be judged entirely by appearance. The buds should come from trees which are true to the variety desired, and which are known to be productive and free from disease. The rootstock and scion varieties should be congenial, and both stock and scion should be suited to the soil and locality in which the trees are to be planted.'’