REGULATION OF CROPS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19216, 4 January 1926, Page 11

REGULATION OF CROPS.

LESSONS FOR ORCHARDISTS. DISASTROUS HEAVY YIELD. There are no two lessons that should have been learned more thoroughly by orehardists than that- heavy crops of fruit are almost as disastrous as light yields, and that quality fruit may almost invariably be sold at a profit, while inferior produce seldom pays the cost of production. These two facts are emphasised season after season. Moderate and fairly good yields of fruit are less difficult to dispose of at a profit than are those gathered when the trees are overladen. Regardless of the existing crude methods of distribution the demand for good fruit is such that normal crops are readily disposed of. Heavy yields, on the other hand, overload the market and cause disaster to growers. It is not obvious to many why this should be the case. The fact is that in seasons of normal yields the fruit is well distributed about tho trees and full opportunity is afforded it to develop into what is commonly regarded as prime quality fruit. For this there is always a ready demand. When the branches of the trees aro densely laden with fruit, individual specimens are not afforded the opportunity to grow to a normal size, there is not the free admission of light all round the fruit to colour it properly, and in addition it cannot be kept as well covered with spray materials as is necessary to ensure its protection against insect attacks. Consequently it is what may bo described as the normal crop that is the most profitable. Small and inferior-sized produce, such as is harvested from overladen trees or from orchards in which cultivation and manuring have been neglected, is not dosired by the trade, and the rapidity with which it accumulates and brings about glutted conditions is evidence of its unprofitable nature. Unfortunately, too many growers regard the regulation of their coops as a wasteful procedure. They dislike to remove fruit from their trees, that may, in the event of a particularly favourable season, atta,in a marketable size, and they also begrudge the amount of time that would need to be expended in thinning out or spacing the fruits. This narrow view, for it is undoubtedly indicative of a lack of foresight, costs them a great deal more than any expenditure incurred in thinning the crop, and it prejudicially affects the prospects of all others engaged in the production of fruit.