Horticultural Production on Gisborne Plains

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 87, Issue 6, 15 December 1953, Page 547

Horticultural Production on Gisborne Plains

THE Gisborne district, on the east coast of the North Island about 150 miles north of Napier, is ideally suited to the production of horticultural crops. With improved transport facilities and successful flood control Gisborne may become one of the main producing districts for the supply of fruit and vegetables to the Dominion. In this article R. Viney, Horticultural Instructor, Department of Agriculture, Gisborne, describes the climate and soils of the district and gives details of present horticultural production and estimates of future development.

THE district was discovered by Captain Cook in- October 1769, and he later named it Poverty Bay. A trading station was established in Gisborne in 1870, when the township had a population of about 500. During the same year the town was surveyed, farm areas were opened up, and settlement of the district was begun. In 1875 the telegraph line to Napier was completed and by 1886 the population had increased to 2300. The population of Gisborne town is now approximately 18,000. The district was practically isolated owing to lack of transport until the railway to Napier was completed in 1942. Development has increased considerably since then, particularly in the growing of agricultural produce and fruit, vegetables, and other cash crops. The first air service from Gisborne began in April 1935, but the value of an air-freight service was not fully established until 1948, when larger aeroplanes were required to cope with the increasing flow of passengers and freight.

Climate The warm climate of Gisborne is well suited to the production of horticultural crops. The average annual temperature is 56.8 degrees and the average annual sunshine recorded is 2270.5 hours. The average annual rainfall for the district is 45in., but this is not usually very well distributed throughout the year. Excess rainfall during late autumn, winter, and spring is generally followed by prevailing westerly i winds, which predominate during October, November, and December. The prevailing winds and low rainfall during these months often create drought conditions which may persist up to January or February. Heavy falls of rain are not uncommon and often cause flooding throughout the district. Cold, southerly conditions during winter and spring are often followed by frosts. These are light compared with those in other parts of New Zealand, but occasional late frosts in October or November have caused damage to crops of potatoes, tomatoes, and citrus.

Wainui district on the east coast, about 4 miles from Gisborne, is entirely free of frosts, and Ormond district, 10 miles inland from Gisborne, has only very light frosts compared with those in Gisborne, where the heaviest frosts recorded were of 11.2 degrees in 1941 and 8.2 degrees in 1947. Occasional summer hail storms have caused damage to crops, but these storms are usually confined to fairly narrow belts. The climate in Wainui and Ormond districts is particularly favourable for the production of early fruits, vegetables, and sub-tropical fruits. Flood Damage Probably one of the main factors restricting the full utilisation of land in Gisborne district is the danger of serious flooding of the Waipaoa River which occurs in some seasons. Over 73 years 12 floods have been experienced, the largest and most damaging in 1948, when 21,000 acres of land were flooded, with damage estimated at £336,356. The average annual cost of these floods over 30 years is estimated at £25,400. The Poverty Bay Catchment Board has begun a flood control scheme with the use of stopbanks and straightening of the present course of the Waipaoa River from its mouth to about 3 miles north of Ormond.

At least half of the area which is liable to flood damage is suitable for the production of horticultural crops, and although an increase in land values may be expected with successful flood control, this should be onset by larger earnings per acre. When the proposed scheme is completed at least 10,000 acres of first-class land previously subject to flooding should be suitable for growing hortiductivitVmay be* expected vision and a more intensive tvne of farmffig should follow ensive type ° ’ boils ■ The soils of the Gisborne flats vary considerably in type, but the majority have a high fertility. Most types are alkaline to slightly acid, but do not require lime and have a very high potash content and high phosphate content. Most of the soil in and around the town is of a pumice and sandy nature, but with green manuring and the use of fertilisers some excellent crops are produced. Owing to its free-draining structure it is particularly suitable for the production of winter and spring vegetables. The Gisborne flats, built up from the Waipaoa River, cover an area of 52,000 acres, and although some areas are of good texture and easy to cultivate, other areas are inclined to pug if cultivated while they are wet. During the current soil survey of the Gisborne Plains the Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Induscm'iJ i, Cn ’ as ma PP ed , over .50 bav t been classed in series, the utilisation of which is as follows: Waipaoa series: 6000 acressuitable for maize, fat lamb, and ■< beef production. . , > :

Matawhero series: 7000 acres—suitable for a wide range of crops, including market garden and orchard crops. O poutama series: 800 acres—borough of Gisborne is built on a large part of this type, which is of a p Um j ce> sandy nature. T e Arai series: 3000 suitable for a id e range of horticultural crops, including grapes, citrus, and stone fruits. Waihir ere series: 7000 suitable for a wide range of crops, including market garden. and orchard crops. Makaraka series: 3500 acressuitable for a wide range of crops, including market garden and orchard crops. Makauri series: 5000 acres—suitable for market gardening, but difficult soil to manage. Te Karaka series: 3000 acres suitable for maize, fat lamb, and beef production. Muriwai series: 1000 acresthis land is undeveloped and ; is liable to frequent saline-water flooding. Kaili series- 4000 acressuitable for maize production and dairying. This j s difficult soil to manage ~ „ „ pripc .. 3909 acres—lnamv extension *of housing b and other urban development. S Included in the above are 23,000 acres which would be suitable for general horticultural production and several thousand acres of other land which under proper management would also be suitable or some horti-. cultural crops. . . , fi ai .J on ; n n - Marker Gardening In 1920 the area in market garden crops was 60 acres, which by . 1948 had been increased to 439 acres.

By 1952 the area had increased to 1500 acres, mainly owing to the establishment of a branch of J. Wattie Canneries, Hastings, in the district, In the first year, 1952, the cannery processed sweet corn from approximately 1000 acres, from which an average yield of 4 tons per acre was harvested. In more favourable areas yields of up to 7| tons per acre were obtained. In 1953 approximately 2500 acres were producing market garden crops and 1000 acres of peas, 550 acres of sweet corn, and 80 acres of tomatoes were grown for canning. Yields of up to 3 tons per acre of peas, 8 tons per acre of sweet corn, and 20 tons per acre of tomatoes were expected, but these did not eventuate owing to a cold and very wet season, pt j s expected that the area in market garden crops will continue to increase and that other crops such as asparagus will be grown more extensively. Mr. G. Wattie, manager of the Gisborne branch of J. Wattie Cannieries, stated recently: “The comparty showed its faith in this district by investing a third of a million pounds in the developing of canning. This was not done blindly, as the com P-kO" the potentlallties of Gisborne . K limara<! arc m-nwu fairlv pv+cnsively in the dist and thrive well on J wra i o n u + vnpc . and narticnlarlv , areas which have been built on bv deTositZ of river silt Although heavier yields are obtained on some areas, the average is between 5 and 6 tons per acre. Variety trials carried out j n the district in 1952 indicated that the New Zealand varieties were heavier yielding than others which were under trial.

The main planting of potatoes is from mid-June onward for the early market and yields of up to 5 tons per acre are obtained. In Wainui district, which is free of frosts, potatoes are usually planted in April and May and harvested in August and September. Generally no commercial plantings of late potatoes are made, owing to the prevalence of the potato tuber moth and the poor keeping quality of the potatoes produced. Very early crops of vegetables such as beans, lettuce, and cabbage are produced in frost-free and almost frostfree areas in the district. Glasshouse tomato production and the growing of crops under cloches are being done only on a small scale, but interest is increasing in these methods. Sub-tropical Fruits Outstanding among the sub-tropical fruits which thrive in the district is the avocado. The first trees, four seedlings, were planted in 1922 on the property now owned by Mr. L. Grey, Ormond, and these began fruiting in 1932. In 1941, 19 trees of the varieties Mexicola, Edranol, Anaheim, Fuerte, Duke, Leucadia, Nabal, Puebla, Benik, and Ryan were imported from California. The varieties Mexicola, Fuerte, and Nabal are most promising and one of the original seedlings has also performed well. In 1951 one of the Nabal trees produced 255 fruits with a total weight

of 3cwt. and the successful original seedling tree produced 300 fruits which averaged l£lb. each. The avocado is extremely popular in America, wh ere it is usually called the alligator pear, and although it is not very well known in New Zealand, it is gaining popularity and the demand exceeds the supply. Fairly extensive plantings are planned by Mr. Grey, who is importing a further 100 trees, and with these and trees of his own propagation he hopes to establish 350 trees on the property. Other sub-tropi-cal fruits which thrive in parts of the Gisborne district are feijoas, loquats, persimmons, passion fruit, tree tomatoes, guavas, pawpaws, and cherimoyas.

Banana palms also thrive in the district in some areas, but only one grower has succeeded in ripening a hunch of the fruit. Pip Fruits The average annual production of pip fruits for the last 6 years, including 1953, was 37,000 bushels of apples and 4000 bushels of pears. Two of the older orchards in the district were removed this season, but several new orchards planted under the rehabilitation scheme have not yet begun, production. The district is well suited for the production of pip fruits and quality and yields are comparable to those in Hawkes Bay, where up to 1000 bushels per acre are produced in favourable seasons. The production and expected production from new plantings are not sufficient to meet the demand and supplies have to be obtained from Hawkes Bay every season to satisfy the local demand. Pear production is not sufficient to meet local demand and increased plantings of suitable varieties would appear to be well worth while. Stone Fruits In 1953 the estimated production of stone fruits was 9700 bushels of peaches, 1200 bushels of nectarines, and 1150 bushels of plums. Small increases in plantings during recent years are gradually increasing

production, but the demand exceeds the supply and consignments from Hawkes Bay orchards are relied on to meet local requirements. Peaches and plums mature 7 to 10 days earlier than in other districts, and although increased plantings of early varieties appear to be worth while, other varieties should be planted with caution owing to the proximity of Hawkes Bay orchards and the possibility of oversupply at some periods. Growth of trees and quality and yields of stone fruits are comparable with ' those in Hawkes Bay and increased plantings of early varieties suitable for bottling or canning should be considered. Plantings of Golden Queen peaches for supplies to the canning factory are to be made, and at least 50 acres are required immediately for this purpose. Grape Production The district is ideal for the growing of outdoor grapes, of which there are 40 acres under production. The main variety grown is Albany Surprise, which gives an average yield of 5 tons per acre annually over the .district. A 2J-acre vineyard on the foothills at Hexton (6 miles from Gisborne) has yielded up to 20 tons of grapes a year. Vineyards in this , area usually mature their fruit 2 weeks earlier than do vineyards on the Gisborne flats, and these are some of the

first outdoor grapes on the market in New Zealand. Over 30,0001 b. of outdoor grapes are -freighted each season to various parts of the Dominion from Gisborne district. There are also many acres of grapes grown for wine making and some table grapes are also used for this. Citrus Fruits When the first plantings of citrus were made in the district nothing was known regarding suitable stocks or varieties, and plantings of lemons and oranges were made from any trees which were available, regardless of the stocks used for propagation. Most of these stocks were rough lemon or Citronelle, and disappointing results were obtained with sweet oranges on some properties. In later years some plantings were made of sweet oranges propagated on Poncirus trifoliata and Island sweet orange, stocks. These trees are . now producing fruit which compares favourably with any imported product. Indications are that increased plantings of sweet oranges, particularly Washington navel, on sweet orange and P. trifoliata stocks are worth while. Although Wheeny grapefruit does well on most stocks, the quality of this fruit is outstanding when propagated on P. trifoliata stocks.

A good proportion of the Meyer lemon crop, which is usually harvested from mid-April onward, is shipped to southern markets, where a ready sale at satisfactory prices is obtained. The estimated crops of citrus fruits for 1952 and 1953 and the yearly averages for 1947-52 are shown in Table 1. Table 2 shows the ages of citrus trees in the district and also gives an indication of planting trends. TABLE I—ESTIMATE OF CITRUS CROPS IN GISBORNE DISTRICT Production in bushels Average 1947-1952 1952 1953 Lemons, Standard .. 4,800 6,000 6,500 Lemons, Meyer .. 700 1,500 1,700 Grapefruit, N.Z. .. 700 1,800 1,800 Grapefruit, Wheeny .. 200 500 500 Grapefruit, other .. 100 100 150 Oranges, sweet .. .. 3,200 6,000 6,000 Mandarins . . . . 50 50 50 Other citrus .. .. 60 60 110 A Noted Horticulturist A noted horticulturist and a leading figure in arboreal circles, Mr. W. Douglas Cook, resides at Ngatapa, 22 miles inland from Gisborne. On his 100-acre property trees, shrubs, and flowers from almost every country in the world flourish and some which can be grown only under glass in other countries thrive in the park on this property. Potential Development Horticultural development is in its infancy in this district and there is no doubt that within a few years the area of land used for the production of horticultural crops will be increased by thousands of acres.

The district is ideally suited for the production of early market garden crops, and with improved transport facilities and a successful flood control scheme Gisborne may become one of the main producing areas in the Dominion for supplying city markets.» Air freight is playing an important part in the marketing of produce from the district and there is no doubt that in the near future aircraft used solely for the carriage of freight will be operating. As land becomes available a more specialised and intensive type of farming devoted to horticulture may be expected. With the increase in population and

the building of homes and gardens a greater interest is being taken in horticulture throughout the district. The growing of flowers for city markets and the production of flower and vegetable seeds, citrus fruits, early vegetables, grapes, sub-tropical fruits, pip and stone fruits, and strawberries are certain to increase in the district.

The climate and soil make it possible to grow successfully almost any kind of flowers, fruit, and vegetables grown anywhere else in the Dominion. Acknowledgments Acknowledgment is made to W. A. Pullar, Soil Bureau, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, Gisborne, and to the Poverty Bay Catchment Board. Reference “The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture”, vol. 81, pp. 209-222, A. A. Duncan (1950). All photographs by Wade.

Registration of Apiaries I INDER the Apiary Registration Regulations 1953 Apiary Instructors have been appointed Registrars of Apiaries, and applications for registration and all correspondence should now be addressed, to them and not to .the Horticulture Division of the Department of Agriculture, Wellington. Registration is now permanent and there will be no more 5-yearly reregistrations. No registration certificates will be issued, but applications will be acknowledged and apiarists will be advised when registrations have been completed. Notification of changes in hive holdings of 5 or more, previously required in June, are now required in May. These changes are intended to make registration procedure simpler for the Department and easier for the beekeepers. Further information may be obtained from Registrars of Apiaries (Apiary Instructors) at Auckland, Hamilton, Tauranga, Hawera, Palmerston North, Hastings, • Greymouth, Christchurch, Oamaru, and Invercargill.

1 to 5 years 6 to 10 years Lemon Over 10 years Total number Eureka .. .. 1,913 112 106 2,131 Lisbon .. .. 553 69 698 1,320 Meyer .. 1,718 26 89 1,833 Villafranca . . 23 — ’ 9 25 Yen Ben .. 112 — — 112 Others .. .. 8 — x 4 12 - — — 4,327 207 899 5,433 Sweet orange — — . — Washington navel . . 1,460 358 197 2,015 Valencia .. , 678 186 206 1,070 Navelencia .. 336 13 105 454 Best’s 40 3 51 94 Carter navel 27 4 3 34 Groverly navel . 649 73 44 766 Joppa .. 3 — 30 33 Lue Gim Gong ■ . 9 64 Golden Nugget navel 15 — 23 38 St. Michael 84 12 29 125 Ruby Blood 1 2 27 30 Others 186 4 30 220 — •— .. .. 3,534 655 754 4,943 — Grapefruit — — New Zealand 771 66 256 1,093 Wheeny .. .. . 678 41 7 726 Omi , Kin Kan — 1 24 25 Others .. ' .. 37 — • 4 41 . • ■ —; ... —■ 1,486 108 291 1,885 — • Mandarin — ■—■—- Kara . . . . 17 8 — 25 Satsuma .. 51 1 — 52 Others .. 13 — 4 17 81. 9 4 94

TABLE 2—NUMBER OF CITRUS TREES (IN AGE GROUPS) IN COMMERCIAL ORCHARDS IN GISBORNE DISTRICT IN 1952