lo i\ov., 1909.] 



Lco)i'gaffia Labour Colon\. 



Gardener's Report. 



Orchard. — On taking charge of the orchard I found the trees generally 

 in a fairly healthy state, but in an ill-pruned condition, being far too 

 thick and carrying about half as many branches again as is necessary 

 in a well-pruned tree. This entailed a lot of work thinning out, which 

 was done with good results. 



Two blocks of orchard had l-een used as poultr\' runs, being enclosed 

 with wire netting for that purpose. This part was in an unfilled con- 

 dition, and on that account some of the trees were showing signs of 

 weakness and getting hard in the bark, proving that cultivation was again 

 necessarv. Two lands among the pear trees were carrying a heavy sole 

 of Paspalum, causing the trees to^ be in a very weak state. This was 

 removed and cultivation carried on v.ith satisfactory results. The black 

 currants on the flat were fairly healthy, but carrying too much old wood. 

 The gooseberry patch was in a bad wa\. a large percentage having died 



pruning in the orchard. 



out and the rest being in a weak state. These I deemed advisable to 

 root out, and the land is now being used for growing vegetables. The 

 raspberry canes mostly were good, the exceptions being on the lowest part 

 of the land where a good many bushes were dying owing tO' the land being 

 too wet in winter. The fig trees not being considered profitable were re- 

 moved, the land being u.sed for early potatoes last season. The almond 

 trees were also considered unprofitable in this climate and, with the ex- 

 ception of five trees, were removed and burnt, the land now being used 

 for tomato growing. 



Generally speaking, the trees are at present in good condition having 

 made good growth during the past season, especially where the crops 

 were light. 



The apple trees, with the exception of about four varieties, bore 

 very good crops, the fruit being nearly all clean and well grown. The 

 l)est varieties were Reinette de Canada, Rome Beauty, Sturmer. Five 

 Crown, and Jonathan : the light crops being Munro's Favourite, Dumelow's 



