BERRY-FRUIT CULTURE.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 53, Issue 4, 20 October 1936, Page 239

BERRY-FRUIT CULTURE.

There has been a marked increase in the quantity produced and the realizations obtained for all classes of berry-fruits. This increase may result in a more extensive planting of these classes of fruit. The following come within the scope of the public tasteviz., strawberry, raspberry, gooseberry, loganberry, and red, white, and black currants. Production is at present confined to specifically defined areas ; more especially does this apply to raspberries and currants. Climatic and environmental factors are responsible for this. Given favourable conditions of both soil and climate, proximity to a large centre of population, and a supply of pickers at the harvesting period, any one with limited means could embark on the production of one or more of these fruits in a small way, at first, and then extend the area under berry-fruits as the demand increased. The ease of propagating any of the varieties of the berry-fruits beforementioned is such that further extension of area can be brought about with little extra expense. Whilst the chief demand to-day for these fruits is for jam-making, either factory or home manufacture, the quantity used for dessert purposes is relatively small. A more recent development, the demand for fruit-juices, opens up a much wider field, and it is possible that business of some magnitude in this direction may eventuate. The manufacture of fruit-juices is of some economic importance to the grower, inasmuch as it may obviate the risk of market gluts, and losses which occur through the quick ripening or the hold-up in picking due to unfavourable weather conditions. —H. p p ros f t Orchard Instructor, Masterton.

Mammitis. Speaking generally, the incidence of this disease has not increased during the year. Evidence of increasing confidence in the adoption of hygienic methods of control in the milking-shed is observed amongst dairy-farmers. The number of farmers who continue to avail themselves of the service provided by the Wallaceville Laboratory and the subsidiary laboratory at Hamilton, in the regular examination of milk-samples in the mammitis-control scheme, is an indication of appreciation of its application. The present-day outlook on this disease is more reassuring for those who take the trouble to adopt definite control practice. In the absence of any recognized curative properties in vaccination, hygienic control methods must be looked upon as affording a large degree of protection. The disease, however, is one which fully .justifies intensive research. — Annual Report, Director, Live-stock Division.