lo July. 1909. J Orchard Xotes. 433 



ORCHARD NOTES. 



/. Crojiin, PrnuipaU Scliool of Horticulture. Burnley. 



The selection of kinds and varieties of fruits suitable for planting for 

 commercial purposes in any district in the State is a comparatively easy 

 task. Excellent articles have appeared in the section devoted to horticulture 

 in the leading weeklv papers on the results obtained by the most successful 

 orchardists, the kinds and varieties grown that were found to be most 

 suitable for the particular district, and the systems of cultivation, irrigation, 

 pruning, and spraying employed in each case. Fruit-growers have un- 

 doubtedly benefited by such information, and have shown their appreciation 

 by following in a great measure the advice deduced, or tendered. The 

 Journal of Agriculture has borne its part, and the orchard inspectors have 

 carried valuable information to places where doubts and difficulties exi.sted. 

 and by advice and demonstration have assisted fruit-growers in conducting 

 their orchards on safe and profitable lines. 



One of the most important changes effected has been the reduction of 

 kinds and varieties of fruits grown, and the increase of those that are suited 

 to the place, and the requirements of the various and most profitable 

 markets. The problems of management have been decreased, it being much 

 easier to learn the peculiarities and wants of a few varieties than a host, 

 and a market for the disposal of the crop is more readily found, buyers 

 for export or manufacture seeking the growers who have large quantities 

 of the kind and class of fruit they require. 



The average prices obtained for varieties of apples and pears in London 

 for Several years are a reliable guide to the intending planter who proposes 

 to export his fruit, when those prices are coupled with the regularity of 

 crop})ing and ease of culture, suitability to situation for the purpose, which, 

 in addition to points respecting management, includes time of the fruit 

 maturing. A good keeping and carrying apple that is not fit to ship by the 

 middle of April at latest is not likely to pay as an export variety. An 

 average price of about 9s. per case must be obtained to afford a fair profit 

 after all expenses are paid. Cox's Orange Pippin is one of the most profit- 

 able of export apples, judging onlv bv the prices obtained in London. 

 Compared with Jonathan it produces about one bushel of export fruit to the 

 three produced by Jonathan and is not as easilv managed. Esopus 

 Spitzenberg, a very fine apple, comes in the same category. Jonathan is 

 easily the best variety to plant in the Southern districts. 



For local market requirements and Liter-State shipping, the finest export 

 varieties are always most profitable at their season, but earlier and later 

 varieties are needed to provide a sequence from beginning of January until 

 August and September, or later where cold storage is employed to retard 

 maturity. The earliest apples marketed in Melbourne are grown in the 

 Moorabbin district where the orchardists aim to produce early kinds chiefly, 

 realizing that they cannot compete with other districts for the production 

 of export and keeping samples. Early Margaret, Mr. Gladstone, Red 

 Astrachan, William's Favourite, Irish Peach, and Gravenstein, are the best 

 early varieties grown for dessert in the district named. 



A selection that would provide a long succession for either market or 

 home supply is as follows: — 



Apples. — Red Astrachan, William's Favourite. Gravenstein, 

 Emperor Alexander, Jonathan, Kentish Fillbasket, Pomme de 

 6492. P 



