THE ORCHARD.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 46, Issue 3, 20 March 1933, Page 175

THE ORCHARD.

Fruit Export Work.

Before these notes are published the harvesting of mid-season varieties of apples and pears will be in full swing, and from now on until the end of the export season the orchardist will have little time or thought for anything outside the picking, packing, grading, and forwarding of fruit for shipment overseas. The systematic orchardist will be well prepared for this period of the season by having everything in readiness well before harvesting activities commence. If this is done (and there are a hundred and one large and small jobs that can be done) much confusion and time will be saved when the rush of work commences.

In picking all varieties of fruit there are two main essentials that must be kept prominently under the picker’s observation— requirements and stage of maturity. There should be no great difficulty as regards colour requirements, as they are defined each year according to variety under the conditions of Government guarantee for the season. Stage of maturity is governed by one or two factors, the chief of these being a distinct change of ground colour from green to light yellow. One cannot overemphasize the need for careful handling of fruit for export, both in the orchard and in the packing-shed. In the orchard much damage is caused by rough handling in so far as the fruit is carelessly pulled from the tree by force, which usually results not only in finger bruises on the fruit but also in the stem of the fruit being often left behind, thus rendering it unfit for export. This can be obviated to a great extent by the picker taking hold of the fruit with the whole hand (not just the thumb and first finger as is usual) and giving it a sharp upwards turn.

Then, again, overfilling the picking-bag, dropping the fruit carelessly into the bag, and carelessly transferring it therefrom to the orchard case, will and does cause much damage to the fruit and financial loss to the grower.

Cool-storing for the Local Market.

Fruit intended for cool store for the local market should be as carefully handled as that intended for export. It has been proved without any possible doubt that only good sound fruit can be expected to keep in cool store over a long period. It is futile to cool-store any fruit the epidermis of which has been broken and expect it to come out as sound as it went in. Storage rots take an exceedingly heavy toll annually of fruit placed in cool store. Fortunately, however, rots such as pink-rot and blue-mould, &c., can only make an entrance through a broken skin such as insect puncture, and skin broken at the stem, &c.

Spraying Operations.

Growers are advised not to suspend their applications of arsenate of lead at too early a date. Codlin moth and leaf-roller caterpillar are usually still active well into April, and it is therefore advisable to continue with the arsenical applications until a few weeks prior to picking.

As the danger from black-spot infection is not yet passed it is advisable to continue with fungicidal sprays for a while longer. Where brown-rot fungus was troublesome a careful examination should be made, and all mummified fruits removed from the trees and ground and destroyed by burning. In addition to this an application of bordeaux 5-4-50 is recommended, as soon as possible after the fruit has been picked, as a partial controllant of the disease.

Orchardists should thoroughly investigate the results obtained during the season from the spraying compounds used and the methods employed in preparation and application. When unsatisfactory results are obtained something is wrong. Factors which contribute to success are the thorough

applications of sprays at the correct times, use of the correct compounds, proper mixing of sprays, and an elementary knowledge of the life-history of pests and diseases. -—J. W. Whelan, Orchard Instructor, Palmerston North.

Citrus Culture.

Since the last month’s citrus notes were written very copious rains have fallen, and the trees will rapidly put forth new growth. This growth will be very soft and tender, and likely to suffer injury from frosts during the winter. For this reason nitrogenous fertilizers should not be used now, as they will tend to make the growth more succulent. It is recommended, therefore, to use potassic or phosphatic fertilizers, which will have a hardening effect, and will in some measure 1 help the trees to withstand the winter.

Citrus groves in general materially benefit by an application of lime. Where no lime has been applied for years a dressing of i ton per acre will be advisable, and this should be followed by a dressing of about | ton per acre every third year. The lime should not be ploughed under, but rather sown upon the surface of the soil after ploughing has been completed. The best time to do this is after the soil has been turned up for the winter.

While the main crop is developing is a good time for a general overhaul of the trees, thinning out of any exhausted wood, cutting out suckers or water shoots, and trimming the lower branches in order to keep them well above the level of the soil. It may be necessary to remove any accumulation of soil from around the trunks, so as to minimize the danger of collar-rot. Any low areas from, which water does not drain quickly should receive attention, as stagnant water is detrimental to the trees.

If cover-crops have not already been sown no time should be ■ lost in getting them in.. Growth will be fairly rapid during the next two months, and the crops should supply a good body of material for ploughing under. It is essential that means such as this be taken to keep up the supply of organic matter in the soil, as it is the base of almost all plant-life. There is quite a range of seeds that can be sown, such as lupins, peas, beans, and tares, all of which produce a fair volume of material for ploughing under. Where Lotus angustissimus (hispidus) is found this makes one of the best for the purpose, and when established it comes up each year without any seed having to be sown.

— L. Paynter,

Orchard Instructor, Auckland.