THE ORCHARD.

Waipawa Mail, Volume XXXVII, Issue 8015, 13 April 1918, Page 2 (Supplement)

THE ORCHARD.

T lie land is now in good condition for working, and that which is intended lor evergreen and deciduous fruit trees and berry-hearing plants, should now he thoroughly prepared to receive thorn when the planting season arrives. 1!' drainage is necessary, it should be the first consideration, for no fruit trees will long remain healthy and vigorous on badly-drained land. Earthenware dram pipes, when properly laid, Mill act efficiently for many years, and generally give the best results. In all cases the ground should bn thoroughly and deeply worked. On largo areas the plough and subsoiler will answer the purpose, but on small plots ordinary spade trenching will he the best. Land that is properly prepared at this time of the year will he thoroughly sweetened and ameliorated under the influence of tho sun and atmosphere, before the planting season arrives ; Aoung trees of the citrus family, and, I

indeed, any young evergreen fruit trees that are sufficiently grown and have developed a good root system in the nursery row's may he successfully transplanted at the end of this month and next. When the soil and weather conditions are favourable, early autumn planting of evergreen trees gived tile best results. The young trees not only become well established in their new positions before the cold season sets in. hut are much more likely to withstand the succeeding summer, should it happen to bo a dry one, than those not transplanted rill spring. Deep planting should be avoided, and after each young tree has been carefully set in position it should be securely tied to a stake. APPLE PICKING.) The following is the text of a lecture given by Mr. B. G. Goodwin, Government Orchard Instructor, at Wanganui Technical College: Growers work the whole year round to produce a good crop of fruit. Why, then, sacrifice any per cent age of ‘it by rough handling in picking? Many growers do. Apples should he handled more carefully than eggs if we wish them to he in first-class condition when placed on the market. Bruises on apples whilst picking may not show until after being packed. When picking this season’s crop it should ho borne in mind that there are crops to follow, and the fruit-spurs that are knocked off by careless picking will not produce apples next yea/. Fruit may also ho picked too green, resulting in shrinkage after packing, and immature fruit has not attained its proper flavour, •while, on the other hand, if allowed to remain on the tree too long it will not keep so well. Generally speaking, fruit is ready to be picked when, on being raised to a horizontal position, tho stem separates from the fruit easdy, or when the pips are turning brown. It must he remembered that all fruit does not mature at the same Lime (even on the same tree) so that several pickings will he necessary, gathering the largest, mature fruit, and leaving tho smaller ones to grow. Sometimes it will be found profitable to make as many as five pickings from one tree, thus giving all small-sized fruit a chance to mature and grow. Tho exact time to pick fruit can not he described in words. It can only be learned by experience. Mr. Goodwin then gave an interesting demonstration of grading and packing apples, which was greatly appreciated by those fortunate enough to he present Ho explained that packing was a simple matter if the grading was done correctly. Every apple for export should be wrapped in tissue paper. The paper has one side glazed or smooth, and the ot her rough, which is placed next the apple. The wrappers make effective cushions, help to retain the aroma of the fruit, takes up slack in case of shrinkage, and also acts as an absorbent in preventing the spread of decay. GRADING AND CULLING OF APPLES. The grading and culling of apples should bo done before the packers begin their work. There are several types of grading-machines on the market. If too expensive a slower, vet simple device, is to grade by hand, having a piece of leather with holes cut to the size of 24 inches, 2$ inches, 3 inches etc., and occasionally placing an apple in the ring, to make sure that the grades are kept up to a uniform size. Great care should he taken with the culling of fruit, and no box of firstgrade fruit should contain a bruise or any other defect. The most suitable jiack is what is called the diagonal or pocket pack. The diagonal pack is so called from the diagonal or oblique course taken by the rows. Pocketpack so called from each apple being placed into the hollow or pocket, instead of directly on top.