Feb. 2, 1920.] Agriculfural Gazette of N.S.W. 127 



Peach Growing in New South Wales. 



W. J. ALLEN. 



Except in a few localities the soil and climate of this State is eminently 

 suitable for growing stone fruit, particularly peaches. Peaches thrive on a 

 great variety of soils, from heavy to light, and wuth proper treatment have 

 proved one of the most profitable kinds of fruit the orchardist can cultivate. 



Heretofore our growers have paid too much attention to dessert varieties 

 at the expense of varieties suitable for canning, and I would therefore 

 Tecommend that in future more attention be given to the growing of 

 the latter. Even now^ it is difficult to name several varieties of clingstone 

 peaches which would give a succession of crops that would keep the canneries 

 going from January to the end of March or early April. Not until quite 

 recently have the canners given the growers much information as to the 

 -class of fruit they consider most suitable for their requirements. We have, 

 however, many good varieties which are highly thought of by the trade, and 

 we are now in possession of information which we trust will be of assistance 

 to growers who are looking to the canneries to absorb their peaches. It is 

 for intending growers to plant accordingly. 



Australia is to-day in a better position than ever she was to compete in 

 the world's markets with jam and canned and fresh fruit, for not only have 

 wages increased in other countries, but the hours of work have been reduced, 

 so that the cost of producing and processing is now practically the same as 

 Tiere. The prices in Australia of tin and other commodities required by the 

 ■canning trade are also nearer the world's parity than has been the case 

 heretofore. Furthermore, our canned fruits and jams have made such a 

 name for themselves during the war that wherever they have been used they 

 will be again sought after. 



There are, however, many markets which have not yet been exploited 

 (Java, for instance, just off our coast, with twenty-four million inhabitants) 

 ■which should absorb many thousands of cases of canned fruits and jams. 



Our growers can produce the highest quality of fruit, and our canneries 

 can treat as much of it as is grown ; but one of the most important matters 

 at present is to see that every market in the east, west, north and south should 

 be exploited to find an outlet for any surplus we may have. Australia can 

 produce the goods, and by organisation she can, if she will, find the markets 

 in which to place them. In the early days it was thought that peach-growing 

 in this State would only be successful in a few favoured spots. In recent 

 years, however, it has been found that they do equally well, if not better, 

 in most of the tableland districts than thev do in the countv of Cumberland. 



