10 Aug., 1916.] 



Apple Culture in Victoria. 



475 



quality and colour. Generally, however, in such soils the subsoil is 

 heavier and more tenacious than the former, and require to be 

 thoroughly under-ground drained. The root-borer is often found in this 

 class of soil, while being entirely absent in granitic country adjoining or 

 not far distant. 



Apple orchards give less satisfaction in the red soils of Gippsland, 

 and these should be avoided for the more favorable ones previously men- 

 tioned. 



The deep siltations of river valleys yield fruit incomparably more 

 abundantly than anywhere else, but as the tree ages its size precludes it 

 from the economical management necessary for the suppression of pests, 

 the harvesting of the crop, and treatment whereby the quality of the 

 fruit is maintained. 



Plate 4. — Buck-scraper at Work. 



The universal avoidance of basalt soils by growers throughout the 

 State goes to show their estimation of this class of country for fruit- 

 growing. 



Climatic Conditions. 



Consideration has been given to locality, site, and soil conditions, 

 with suggestions as to how tliey may be made applicable to apple culture 

 generally. However, we know that there are certain varieties which do 

 not yield remunerative crops, no matter how perfect these conditions may 

 be, if tlie climatic or atmospheric conditions do not prove congenial 

 environments to the particular variety. 



Under those adverse climatic conditions certain trees may grow to 

 be large and healthy. They may carry a plentiful supply of apparently 

 vigorous blooms, but the resultant fruit is usually small, sparse, and of 

 inferior quality. 



This is a phase of fruit-growing whicli a large percentage of those 

 engaged in tlie industry have learned to tlieir cost. Many thousands 



