COMMERCIAL BASIS

Opunake Times, 5 August 1947, Page 4

COMMERCIAL BASIS

WEST COAST APPLES

That apples can he produced satisfactorily on a commercial basis on the West Coast of the North Island, and in particular in the Mauawatu, as compared with other fruitgrowing districts in New Zealand, is indicated by harvesting returns from the orchard acquired. about 12. months ago by Massey Agricultural College. During last season, when crops were light in comparison with other years, a production of 450 bushel cases per acre was secured. Fancy and Commercial grades only were paclced, and the percentage of rejects was approximately three. Varieties grown in this orchard are .Stunners. Delicious, Cox’s Orange,Deinnette du Canada, Gravenstein and Golden Delicious. Of these varieties Stnrmers gave the highest production, averaging 550 cases per acre. As in the larger commercial orchards of New Zealand, the apples were graded on the site by machinery, and packed by the horticultural students, thus givinc them practice in commercial packing and grading.

An extension of these fruitgrowing activities will be made this year, in preparation for which five acres have been cullivated. and 550 trees of leading’ pip and stone fruit varieties have been secured, or have been propagated by students in the Cob lege nurseries. The small-fruit, section established last spring Has made good growth and is moving a valuable teaching asset, besides -eventually providing, through a series ofjtrials to be laid down, data on_ the manuring of small fruits hi the district".