ETTERSBURG STRAWBERRIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3342, 3 April 1918, Page 6

ETTERSBURG STRAWBERRIES

[Contributed.] Mr Albert P. Etter, Ettersburg, California, has just issued a report on his latest creations of this variety of strawberry. Ae the strawberries now cultivated in Central Ota-go and other parts of the province show sign 3 of deterioi-ation and the cultivation of them is gradually lessening in the fruitgrowing areas, it would be a good thing for the Agricultural Department to import some of these newer varieties and test them in various districts, as the strawberry is a fruit that should certainly be more extensively grown than it is at present, and sold at much lower rates. At the rates realised

last year it was purely a luxury, being, far too dear for jam, and even for people of moderate means to eat in any quantity. After the war the Government proposo to settlo returned soldiers on the land. This may be a success or it may not. I fear the latter in many cases; as unless a man has an intense love for such work and a natural aptitude for it, he will soon leave it for a more congenial occupation that entails less labour, etc. However, those who do take up this work will always find in the strawberry a friend which, if treated right, will respond nobly and bring in a handsome return. Mr Ettcr'e experimcnts_ in hybridising strawberries havo been in progress for many years. He set out to change thetexture, taste, and keeping qualities, and to widen the adaptation of the strawberry, and he has already succeeded to a remarkable extent, so much so that these varieties are now beinp extensively cultivated not only in all parts of America and Canada, but also_ in other countries. Nurserymen and fruit-growers are greatly indebted to such men for their enterprise and pains, taking efforts to improve such a luscious fruit.

WOfNXY APHIS. A French writer recommends as a remedy against the woolly aphis the use of commercial oil-paint, as being a simple, practical, and economical substance ensuring the destruction of the colonies of aphides. The paint can bo prepared on the farm according to the following formula:—Linseed oil, 71b; white lead, lilb; oxide of zinc, lib. The mixture is boiled for 10 minutes, and when cold lib of turpentine is added. The paint is applied by means of a brush to all the infected parts. As a rule, one application is sufficient; but in order to be quite safe, two can be made. By the use of this remedy tho writer quoted was able to save some old apple trees which had been very severely attacked by woolly aphis. BOOKS FOB TUB ASJATS'USS. "Fruit Tree Pruning," by H. H. Thomas, editor of the Gardener, is the title of a. booklet to hand from Messrs Casseli and Co. In it the writer deals with .the pruning of different kinds v of fruit trees, including apples, pears, peaches, apricots, gooseberries, currants, and other berry fruits; also such plants as melons, cucumbers, tomatoes, eto. Pruning fruit trees for training them against a wall and cordon shape is especially dealt with. The work is well illustrated, and easily understood by tho unlearned ; in fact, it is written chiefly for the amateur. Although an English work, it is, with a little variation, applicable to Tasmanian conditions, especially for tho one who possesses a few fruit trees and wishes to personally handle his or her own trees. The price is 7d. "Early Vegetables: How to Grow Them" is another of the gardening handbooks by the same author from the same publishers. The object is to show how to cultivate certain vegetables with the object of having them ready some weeks, or even months, in advance or those in the open garden. It is when fresh vegetables are scarce and dear that the home-grown is moste- appreciated. Most of the vegetables dealt with only reQuiro such a temperature as can be maintained without difficulty in a slightly heated greenhouse, or "in a frame placed on a hotbed. The instructions are simple yet ample, and with the aid of the numerous illustrations the veriest tyro should be able tp make a success of early vegetable raising.