THE FRUIT SECTION.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVII, Issue 20628, 29 July 1930, Page 14

THE FRUIT SECTION.

CURRENT ORCHARD WORK.

As tho end of the dormant season is not far off, thero should bo no delay in completing tho pruning of orchard trees. If thero aro any trees to bo renovated* or if attempts at budding were unsuccessful, suitable shoots should bo selected from among tho primings to provide scion* for grafting in tho early spring. Theso shoots should lio selected carefully from healthy, productive trees and should bo heeled in until tho right timo for tho work arrives. Tho planting of new trees should ho pushed on. Tho soil conditions must bo studied in this nutter and a favourablo opportunity sei/.od for tho work to bo carried out. Much of tho success of tho trees during their first two years or so depends on tho stato of tho soil when tlioy aro put in their permanent places. An oasy method of ascertaining whether tlio soil is in a fit condition for planting to bo dono is to dig a hole about 18in. deep, and if water collects in (ho bottom within a short time tho ground is too moist for tho work to bo done.

One operation in the citrus section to bo performed at this timo of tho year consists of harvesting thp orange crop as tho fruit is now ripe. Oranges must bo left on tho tree 3 until they nro practically ripe on account of tho fact that they do not sweeten after they aro pulled. The gathering of tho fruit should bo carried out in tho same way as in tho case of lemons, i.e., pair of secateurs should bo used to sever tho fruits from the twigs. The produco that is gathered ami which is not required for immediate uso should bo storod in a cool, airy place.