10 Aug., 1916.] A pph Culture in VirtdiKi. 471 



APPLE CULTURE IN VICTORIA. 



Jiij J . Farrtl], Orchard Supervisor. 



The Apple {Fyrus Mulus). 



For many centuries the apple has been the most extensively grown, 

 universally popular, prolific, and profitable of our cultivated commercial 

 fruits. 



It belongs to the natural order Rosacece, and is capable of adapting 

 itself to a wide range of soil and climatic conditions, consequently it is 

 cultivated in all the civilized countries of the world. 



During the long period thx-oughout which the apple has been in use, 

 and, compared with other fruits, it has had no equal as a tonic, food 

 and blood purifier. 



Since the apple was introduced into Victoria the area under its culti- 

 vation has steadily increased from year to year until its production has 

 become one of our chief national industries. 



A ripe apple contains acid, sugar, fat, lime, phosphorus, protein, 

 carbohydrates, magnesia, &c. The proportions, beautiful combinations, 

 and blending of these chemicals, as in the ap])le, constitute a food which 

 is procurable only through Nature's dis}>ensary. 



When writing of the apple in England, Hogg states: — " There is no 

 fruit in temperate climates so universally esteemed and so extensively 

 cultivated, nor is there any which is so closely identified with the social 

 habits of the human species as the apple. Apart from the many domestic 

 purposes to which it is applicable, the facility of its cultivation and itf^ 

 adaptation to every latitude have rendered it \w all ages an object of 

 special attention and regard. There is no part of our island where one 

 or other of its numerous varieties are not cultivated, and few localities 

 where the fruit cannot be brought to perfection. The apple is a native 

 of this, as well as almost every other country in Europe. Its normal 

 form is the common Wild Crab I'l/rus Malus of Linnsus, and the numer- 

 ous varieties with which our gardens and orchards abound ai*e the result 

 either of the natural tendency of that tree to variation, or by its varieties 

 being hybridized with the original species or with each other." 



During the eighteenth and nineteenth centuries the varieties have 

 been considerably increased in number, and point of size and quality 

 much improved, not only by means of interpollination and the consequent 

 cross-feriilization of selected varieties, but also by the propagation of 

 cliance seedlings and " sports," and by careful cultivation and general 

 good management. 



As the early ripening varieties now grown lack not only quality, but 

 perish in a remarkably short time, it is the duty of horticulturists of 

 the present day to win from Nature's inexhaustible store the apple that 

 is desired. 



There is a good su])ply of mid-season and late ripening sorts suitable 

 for oversea and Tnter-State markets. 



While in search of the e^rlv varieties, others mitrlit be found which 

 would thrive better under warm sinl and rli!mtic conditions, irrigation, 

 &c., than some of those at present grown. Tn addition, also, if a variety 

 resistant to black snot (Fitxidar/im/i fJevlriliriim) and bitter pit could be 

 evolved, incalculable benefit would be bestowed on the fruit-grower. 



