ORCHARD INTERCROPPING

Waimate Daily Advertiser, Volume XXIII, 3 February 1923, Page 7

ORCHARD INTERCROPPING

INTERESTING PAPER AT FRUITGROWERS’ MEETING An interesting paper on orchard inter-cropping was read by Mr Allington, of Studholme, to the members of the Fruitgrowers’ Association at their meting, which was presided over by Mr A. Roy. Mr Allington, in the course of his remarks, said: — “In orchard inter-cropping, the first and main thing to consider, is the welfare of the trees —whether whatever you sow or plant is going to be beneficial or otherwise. Take the different classes of land: for instance, one class will grow abnormal wood, while another class perhaps will proper care and treatment will grow trees to perfection, and there are other classes again which seem cheap, but are dear at any cost. In such land perhaps the trees will do fairly well for a few years until they have borne a few good crops, and then they get exhausted and produce nothing but a lot of small unsaleable fruit in spite of all you try to do for them. “Now, for the land which grows abnormal wod, one needs to grow the crops which would incline to retard growth, crops such a broccoli, mangolds, swedes, potatoes, or anything for that class of heavy feeders. Strawberries, raspberries, currants and. gooseberries—anything which needs but shallow cultivation, often has the same effect.

“Authorities tell us that any land that will grow good crops of grain and potatoes is suitable for fruittrees. That may be so, but I venture to say it depends largely upon what state that land is in during the dormant season. For instance, some land will grow excellent crops of autumn sown grain, but would be altogether unsuitable for fruit trees as it may become too dry during the sumer or growing months to mature a spring sown crop. Consequently, if it could not mature a crop of that kind it is safe to conclude it could not mature a first class crop of fruit. “My point is this: in the best interests of your orchard, it should onlj r be allowed to grow spring sown vegetables, etc., as the land should be turned up to the weather to sweeten all winter, ploughed with the lay ofthe land and the finishes open to secure drainage during heavy rains.

“Personally I am a great believer in orchard cropping up to a point, that point ceases whn the trees come mto profit, as without plenty of manure one canot carry on inter-crop-ping and expect good results from his trees.

“In regard as to what are the best things to grow in an orchard, I think in all probability there would- be a great diversity of opinion. Some would favour one or more varieties f vegetables, others perhaps favour s" 1 / 111 fruits, just according to the suitability of the particular nature of land., they happen to possess. . I am inclined to favour the growing of vegetable such as pear and potatoes. For instance, one to clean the ground and the other for that valuable asset nitrogen which peas leave in the ground. Another advantage in growing these crops is if yo T * mediately work the ground up and winte?” enS ° r Pl ° in d«ring sef e b“ Points raised by Mr Allington at length- and