WHAT TO PLANT.

Northland Age, Volume 25, Issue 15, 6 August 1925, Page 7

WHAT TO PLANT.

(By Confier).

The writer of these notes will be pleased to answer any questions on tree planting, both forest and orchard and general gardening, and subscribers are invited to take advantage of this opportunity of acquiring helpful information. Readers are also invited to forward any comment or views at any time which will duly have the attention of our contributor, the one object of these notes being to

assist farmers, orchardists. gardeners and horticulturists. Such questions or comment should he forwarded to the “Age" office.

PEAR CULTURE. Why the majority of people should be “shy” of pears the writer does not understand, though I must admit it is generally regarded as ‘heavy” food, and it is mighty probable they would prove to be »o if not eaten in moderation. * Still I see no reason why pears in variety should not be more successfully grown. They are long lived, and upon reaching maturity, and even long % before that period, bear huge crops. I have kaown trees (Vicar of Winkfield) carrying a crop of twenty-five hundred-weight, and others again at ten years of age bearing full crops of excellent dessert fruit. This should surely send to the four winds the old tinM notion of “He who plants flKrs etc., etc.” This probably did apply at one time, but not today in as much as early bearing is concerned, though owing to its longevity, it would have a certain application. I know of quite a number of kinds that are early and continuous bearers, in some instances bearing at two years of age, and quite common at tour, and excellent in quality, so surely this will go some distance to disprove the opinions held by some who do not know, “that pears take a long time to come into bearing.” I believe from experience and observation, that the stock upon which each variety is worked plays a very important part, more % so than most folks imagine, and also the bearing qualities of the parent trees. The old time

methods was t# graft it upon “any old thing” that would make a un- *■ ion, and palm it on an unsuspecting public. To-day they have stocks par excellence, healthy, hardy, and non-suckering, known as the Sand Pear, which also induces early bearing to the uniniated this is in all likelihood a mystery. I therefore give a brief explanation why this kind of stock is preferable to all others especially is this so considering ■ the practice in my younger days, of obtaining roots, willy milly, from anything that would graft thus frequently covering the ground with suckers, whether . ■ damaged or not. Science and experience has taught us that the sand pear refi. , HLred is about the only • , ALtfiA at present answers to HflL tU functions of an all stork. I know from experience this is so, and we have, worked and handled several thousands of them, and proved them to be all I have stated not •only have they non suckering, but strong growers into the bargains. Frequently varieties worked upon this stock from mature or bearing trees, have been known to bear at two years of age and the same trees carrying full crops twenty years afterwards and like Johnny Walker are still going strong. I have gone into detail upon this phase of our subject because I believe they are the best and most adaptable to our soils and climate and I conscientiously believe no other stock can surpass Jt up to this time. There is just One other matter of equal importance i. e. if the scions are taken from good bearing trees, at the outset the young trees must inev- * Jtably protbKe fruit at an early [ » stage and Continue to be productive afterwards providing of course proper treatment and care isgiven the trees after planting in their permanent positions. VARIETIES I can only deal in the main with those kinds that should be grown for commercial purposes 4P the fresh state or canning and as most varieties are also adaptable for private use or preserving it will hardly be necessary to make any discrimination between them on this score, though there are some unfit for preserving, yet are first class dessert and vice versa. I think it wise to mention only those pre-eminently adapted for market, that is from my point of view. Perhaps one ot the best for early market is the Beacon which ! is profitable in every way. Following this, Louisse Bon of Jersey j an excellent all round variety, next in season William’s Bon | t' ;1

, Chrietien or Bartlett. It is in all ikelihood one of the best known pears but should not be planted j in blocks alone as it requires j i cross-fertilizing to insure the ; I crop setting. Packham’s Triumph stands out j supreme, has not an equal of its j season for early bearing, size productiveness good dessert, first ' class for market, canning or home j use should be planted extensively Keiffer’s Hybrid second rate quality (girls have been known to eat them) but I prefer others of better flavour. They are a standard canning or preserving variety and when canned are frequently placed on the market as “Bartlett.” I can especially recommend it for canning purposes. Tree produc-

tive and fruit often grows to a very large size. Winter Bartlett —a variety when better known will become a general favourite, ripens in May and June, valuable to plant for late markets owing to its season of ripening when fruit of its class realizes top prices. Tree commences to bear quite young, fruit of large size, continues to produce crops annually. Qnality first rate. Quite a number of others could be mentioned but I thir.k those mentiened are the ones to plant for general purposes but especially for market purposes. As stated previously I consider this branch of our subject to be of primary and paramount importance. Owing to the vast amount of imported fruit into the Dominion, hence into every little township, I venture to assert that the importation of canned goods into the Dominion isprobably millions and yet with the potentialities possessed by our northern climate and soils, surely some effort could and should be made to prevent the going out of so much of our capital when better quality can be produced at home. If we cannot grow sufficient tocompeteagainst other markets, the least we can do is to produce enough to supply local demands with a superior article, thus helping ourselves and by proving the capabilities of the district, would do infinitely more good than a lot of ink used in boosting.” Practical demonstration and results are far more lasting and productive of better results.