THe JOUHNAb 



OF 



Yfie department of M^nculture 



OP 



VICTORIA. 



Vol. XV. Part 7. lOth July, 1917. 



APPLE CULTURE IX VICTORIA. 



By J. Farrell, Orchard Supervisor. 

 (Continued from page 344.) 



The Blooming of Apple Trees. 



With the genial return of spring and its seasonable, invigorating 

 accompaniments, comes the development and opening of the young 

 leaves of the apple tree. This reveals the delicate tracery of pink 

 which soon expands and envelops the tree in a beautiful floral robe, 

 that for a brief period obscures the developing garment of green 

 foliage. Thus the arrival of spring marks the commencement of the 

 orchardist's year, and the blooming of his trees is regarded by him 

 as the frontispiece of Nature's annual picture book. 



This great change in the appearance of the tree as compared with 

 its winter aspect, is brought about by the earth's annual motion. 

 Again Victoria is gradually brought into a favorable position in rela- 

 tion to the sun whence our orchard soils obtain their surface heat 

 which plays such an important part in the growth of the tree, as 

 explained in connexion with osmosis. 



When compared witli the otlier States of the Commonwealth, Vic- 

 toria, partly on account of its latitudinally favorable geographical 

 position and consequent temperate climate, and partly owing to the 

 high horticultural attainments of its fruit-growers, supplemented by 

 their keen industrial efforts generally, is the most successful apple- 

 growing State on the mainland. 



The variation in the physical features of Victoria and its many 

 classes of soil also render our State suitable for the cultivation of 

 almost all the other fruits grown commercially in the Commonwealth. 

 As the individual characteristics and needs of these become known 

 they are assigned to localities suitable to their requirements and profit- 

 able cultivation. 



7233.— 1 



