THe JOURNAIs 



LIBRA» 



OP 



■Tfte ©eparfmenf of ^gricuffure. 



Vol. VI. Part 7. 



8th July, 1908. 



HINTS OX RAISING AN EXPORT APPLE ORCHARD. 



F. /. Cur/nodv, Inspector, V cgctation Diseases Acts. 



Locality. 



Should an\ out- lif desirous of entering intO' the ijusiness of growing 

 apples for export, he should take intO' consideration every factor that tends 

 to- cheapen production. There is no necessity to go into the mountainous 

 regions of Gippsland, or the remoter irrigable areas of the northern part 

 of the State, as land specially adapted for this particular purpose is 

 obtainable at moderate prices within a few miles of the city. By purchas- 

 ing land thus situated the payment of high J.ailway freights and the expense 

 of distant haulage to railway stations will be obviated. Select a locality 

 in which the fruit industry is carried on, as you can then command skilled 

 labor for vour orchard, as well as lieing in a position tO' learn from 

 the experience of others who are engaged in the same calling. Only those 

 who are remote from a fruit-growing centre can understand the difficulty 

 of obtaining the necessary trained labor. 



Men must thoroughly understand their work. If not, the mistakes of 

 one man follow those of another in endless succession until the owner 

 retires from the concern in disgust. If properly and intelligently managed, 

 however, there is no phase of agriculture so remunerative. The products 

 from the richest and most fertile lands of the State cannot be compared 

 to the returns from an orchard carried out on sound lines. 



Site. 



When selecting the site for the orchard preference should be given 

 to one having a gradual slope to the east ox north east and if possible it 

 should be protected from northerly and westerly Avinds by higher lands, 

 or growing forests. If not thus naturally protected, it will be necessary 

 to put in a hedge or break-wind at the time of planting out the trees. The 

 slope should not be too steep or abrupt, particularly in the case of soils 

 that wash away with hea\-y summer rains. The disadvantages of working 

 steep country are too great, and add considerably to the cost of production. 



But sloping land is necessary to permit of soil and atmospheric drain- 

 age. Late frosts not only destroy the vitality of the blossom, but also 



6848. N 



