132 Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. [Feb. 2, 1920. 



Varieties. 



It is now generally accepted that the clingstone varieties are more suitable 

 for canning than the freestone peaches. This has been brought about to a 

 great extent by the advent of up-to-date machinery used in our modern 



• canneries. The texture of the fruit of the selected varieties should be yellow 

 In colour, firm, free from blemish, and symmetrical in form. 



The following is a list of some of the best clingstone canning varieties, 

 given in their order of ripening : — Tuscan Cling, Pelora (not yet imported), 

 .»Sims, Phillip's Cling, Golden Queen, Goodman's Choice, Pullar's Cling, 

 Ooldust, Selima. 



Thinning and Picking. 



If the trees are bearing a heavy crop the fruit should be so thinned on the 

 branches that the remainder will develop into sizes ranging from 2^ to 

 2| inches in diameter. Large peaches are not required for canning purposes. 



The fruit should be picked when cool and dry — early in the morning is the 

 best time. It should be fully developed, firm and slightlv coloured, and 

 .should be placed in shallow boxes and conveyed to the cannery without delay. 



Pruning. 



Upon planting the young trees shoukl be headed back to about knee high. 

 During the first year of growth all central twigs should be pinched back, 



• and the tree should be balanced by checking any terminals showing a 

 tendency to monopolise the sap. 



In the second year (during the winter) the trees are pruned back to within 

 9 inches of the crown. The crown may be composed of from three to five 

 branches. These should be selected for vigour and position, 'so as to form a 

 well-balanced and symmetrical tree. Favour maybe shown to the branches 

 on the windy side, care being taken to select vigorous branches for this 

 purpose. From now up to the fourth year the tree is carefully pruned 

 and balanced, cutting to the terminal buds so as to gain position and form 



From the fifth year onwards the terminals should not be pruned, and 

 every encouragement should be given to lateral growth. This lateral growth 

 should be shortened and thinned out, in some cases leaving the lateral 

 unpruned. These will carry the fruit. In all cases the centre of the tree should 

 be o]jen so as to admit air and light. Where the growth is vigorous some of 

 the laterals may be completely renioved, retaining sufficient to carry a good 

 crop of fruit. From the base from which the laterals have been removed 

 fresh growth will be produced to carry the next season's crop. If it is the 

 habit of the tree to produce spurs, the laterals may be shortened back to 3 

 or G inches. 



Pests and Control. 



Peach trees in some districts are subject to tlie attacks of the peach aphis. 

 Some years ago this pest was responsible for severe losses to the growers, but 

 latterly the trees have been clean, a fact accounted for by the presence of the 

 lady-bird in large nuiiiheis. The larvae of this small beetle devours the aphis, 

 and has succeeded in recent ypars in practically eliminating the pest. 



