FRUIT GROWERS SHOULD NOT NEGLECT SPRAYING, BUDDING, AND PROPPING

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 72, Issue 1, 15 January 1946, Page 81

FRUIT GROWERS SHOULD NOT NEGLECT SPRAYING, BUDDING, AND PROPPING

By

A. R. GRAINGER,

Orchard Instructor, Christchurch.

ALTHOUGH as the season advances harvesting, grading, and packing of fruit demand increasing time and attention from growers, operations such as late spraying, budding, and propping should not be neglected. r T' I HIS article deals mainly with the THIS article deals mainly done the work required to be done in orchards during February. The . correct technique of picking fruit is also discussed.

Spraying

February is usually a dry month and red mite (JParatetranychus pilosus), unless precautionary measures have already been taken, may develop to the stage when applications of white summer oil (1-100) are necessary. Precautions against an attack of Glomerella (bitter rot) or Nea fabraea (ripe spot) should be taken by applying the second spray (Bordeaux 1-2-50) now. Codling moth (Cydia pomonella) control must still be considered, and an application of lead arsenate powder, ljlb. to 100 gallons, is essential on late-maturing varieties, while, with mid-season varieties, such as Jonathan and Delicious, an application of lead arsenate at the same strength the second week in February should suffice. The spray residue problem must be kept in mind. A spray applied a little earlier than it is normally due sometimes gives sufficient protection, and allows the spray residue to weather off the fruit sufficiently by the time it is ready for packing. Should the dry spell break during the month with rain of considerable duration, black spot of the pin-head type is liable to appear on highly susceptible varieties such as Dougherty, Winter Nelis and, to a lesser extent, Statesman, Rome Beauty, and Sturmer. The spraying problem then becomes more complicated, and often spray residue accumulates. Although black spot infected fruit is undesirable, fruit must also be reasonably free from heavy spray deposit. The situation should be studied very carefully and if necessary the advice of the local Orchard Instructor sought.

Sun Scald

As February is generally the hottest month of the year, apples may be affected by serious sun scald at this

time.. It will be noticed that fruit is frequently scalded on the uncoloured side which, up till then, has been facing away from the sun. However, because the weight of the fruit bears the branches out towards the horizontal, the tender side becomes exposed and then scalded. The remedy is to wire the limbs securely so that they remain upright.

Budding Stone fruit growers contemplating changing over some of their apricots, plums, or peaches to other varieties should implement this by budding during February—the latter half of February or early March being the time for peaches. Main rule for budding is that the stock, while nearing the end of its seasonal growth, shall have sap flow left sufficient to assure union with the inserted bud but not to force it into growth. As buds are inserted into the current season’s wood an ample supply of new growth is necessary for reworking the older trees. This is obtained by cutting the stock hard back in the spring. Buds are inserted in the resultant young growth in the late summer or autumn. Bud wood should be obtained from trees the type and cropping abilities of which are known to be good. ,

Harvesting It is not possible to give an accurate picking schedule for all varieties to cover the whole Dominion; neither is it practicable to fix actual dates in advance owing to variations in climate from year to year. Sometimes a variety intended for long cool storage may have to be harvested before a variety intended for immediate marketing which normally is harvested earlier. By observations and tests, growers themselves are best qualified to determine when a variety is ready for picking, either for export, cool storage, or immediate marketing. Jonathan and Delicious are varieties which in some districts are often picked out of order, especially where the grower has large quantities of

both. Generally, Delicious should be harvested first and packed for long cool storage. Unless needed for export, the Jonathan can remain on the trees a little longer, in order to develop that crisp tree-ripened condition without which this variety is not favoured as a dessert apple.

Technique of Picking

Although fruit picking is a simple operation, inexperienced workers should be taught the correct method and should be carefully supervised until they are accustomed.to the work. Fruit should .be picked at the right stage of maturity by giving it an upward e twist. In this way the stalk is bent over and separated from the spur at the abscission ring. Pulling movements must be avoided, as these are liable to cause breakage of fruit spurs and loss of crop the following season. Fruit should be held in the palm of the hand rather than between the finger and thumb.

Equipment

A good type of ladder was illustrated on page 637 of the December Journal. A range of sizes for use according to the height of the tree being picked is desirable. Picking bags, buckets, or aprons are generally used, although these are not necessary with certain types of low-headed trees, the fruit from which can be handled straight

into boxes. Some growers pick with boxes set on the specially made wide top of ladders. Whatever the method used care is necessary in the handling of the fruit which is easily marked or bruised at this time. Damage to fruit often occurs when pickers working on ladders use a bag or apron. In reaching for distant fruit, pressure is applied to fruit already in the bag if the bag remains between picker and ladder. Orchard boxes may be used permanently as containers for ungraded fruit. Where new boxes are used for picking, the fruit from these can be emptied on to the grading table and the boxes retained in the shed and used for packing.

For transporting fruit from tree to packing shed, a flat top, low set lorry is desirable. The type illustrated is recommended for use as a trailer. Not only can it be manoeuvred readily but it is also suitable for road transport of fruit.

Grading Fruit Apples and pears need to be graded according to standards prescribed in the New Zealand Grown Fruit Regulations 1940 and amendments, or in accordance with decisions of the Fruit Marketing Council. Details for the coming season are not yet available but fruit growers should get the information from the local Orchard Instructor when it is available.