THE ORCHARD

Wanganui Chronicle, Volume 76, Issue 105, 6 May 1933, Page 19 (Supplement)

THE ORCHARD

TRANSPLANTING SEASON. Some time ago attention was drawn to the importance of taking advantage of the dry weather to break up and prepare all land in which fruit or other tree,s are to be planted. Unfortunately the dry spell has practically continued up to tho present month and many crops have suffered in consequence. It has, however, afforded ample opportunity for breaking-up, working and sweetening the soil and for placing it in the best possible condition that should ensure successful growth after planting. Planting is quite a simple operation compared with the labour of placing the soil in such condition as will ensure success. Land naturally varies in the amount of preparation required, according to the quality of the soil and the treatment it has received before being selected for tree planting. If the land has been previously broken up and used for pasture or cropping it will need but little preparation compared with the treatment that stiff, unbroken soil would need. In such soil, in addition to thoroughly breaking up and working the ground, draining may be necessary. Importance of Drainage. Whatever the nature of the land may bo there must be a free outlet for surplus moisture. To simply dig holes for planting trees in such land is to court failure, as they form reservoirs for water in which tho roots of the hardiest trees cannot thrive for any length of time. It is far better to plant a small area and ensure success than to risk failure by planting in illprepared ground. Provision For Shelter. In laying out an orchard some provision may be necessary for providing shelter from the harsh prevailing winds. In positions that are exposed it may be necessary to plant a belt of evergreen, such as macrocarpa, lawsoniana or even pines or other evergreens, the varieties being regulated according to the district where grown. The belt should be kept well away from the fruit trees. While shelter is necessary, particularly in exposed positions, too dense a shelter is .by no means an advantage for most hardy fruits. All hardy deciduous fruit trees are benefited by being well exposed to light and air in late autumn and during their rest season. Their period of rest is of such short duration that unless fairly well exposed the wood cannot sufficiently ripen to’ ensure sound, well-matured buds. When the orchard is placed in a comparatively sheltered position a belt formed of hardy fruit-bearing trees, such as quinces, cherry, plum or other hardy varieties that would afford the necessary shelter during the fruiting season, would also in time produce fruits of some market value. Choice of Positions. In addition to preparing the soil every detail should be carefully planned before the season for transplanting arrives. It is necessary to select the most sheltered positions for the more tender varieties such as peaches, nectarines, apricots, etc. The soil, too. must bo considered. Soils in most places selected for an orchard varies, and is more suited to certain varieties of fruits than others. Soils, for instance, of a deep, free, open character are best suited for stone fruits, lemons and others of the citrus family. Apples, pears and other pip fruits invariably succeed well in soils of a stiffer nature.

Tn replanting and renovating old orchards much needs to he done before the soil is in a fit condition for tho new trees, so that the work of preparing tho soil cannot bo started too

early. In many of the. older orchards trees are often allowed to remain that are not only worthless but are a monace to the better varieties, being too old for re-grafting and quire useless as fruit hearers. Such trees should bo grubbed out and replaced with more approved kinds.