because of the scarcity and reportedly high cost of this resource. Production potential in the Cape Province could 

 probably increase substantially if more water were available. 



Soils in the Western Cape and Langkloof are of three basic types-sand, loam, and clay-and exhibit great 

 variation even within short distances. They tend to be of poor structure with a low humus content, necessitating the 

 addition of inorganic fertilizers and/or the use of cover crops, primarily lupins. Cultivation generally is restricted 

 only to sowing cover crops and working in fertilizers. Some farmers do little or no cultivation during the 

 fruit-growing season. 



On the better farms, the basic plant nutrients (nitrate, phosphate, and potash fertilizers) are applied 2-3 

 times per year. The use of organic fertilizers in South Africa has increased substantially, stimulated by expanded 

 supplies and an indirect government subsidy. In 1967-68 prices to farmers in the Western Cape for superphosphate 

 and potash-magnesia were quoted at about S36 and S54 per ton, respectively. 



Deciduous fruit trees are pruned primarily in June and July. In the pruning of young peach trees, an open 

 vase shape is commonly established, with 34 scaffolds per tree and no center branches. Thinning of peaches is 

 practiced widely and is done by hand in October and November. Propping also is necessary as the harvest season 

 approaches, but deficiencies exist in this practice among some farmers, resulting in damaged trees. At the other 

 extreme, a few growers use the elaborate maypole system in which a tall pole is placed near the center of each tree 

 to support propping wires. 



Most of the major pests and fruit diseases common to other fruit producing regions occur in South Africa, 

 including fruit flies, gumspot, curleyleaf, and brown rot. These and other pests and diseases have limited the 

 expansion of orchard land to some of the outlying areas in the Cape Province. The fruit fly is one of the most 

 prevalent pests and has caused considerable damage to apricots and clings in some years. Two species, the 

 Mediterranean fruit fly and the Natal fruit fly, are present in the producing area. Effective control can be maintained 

 with organophosphorus insecticides. Fruit piercing and sucking moths have been other particularly troublesome 

 pests, as has the disease, bacterial spot, for which control is difficult. Delayed foliation, a physiological abnormality 

 which can result in a poor fruit set, also affects some deciduous trees, such as Bon Chretien pears, that are not well 

 adapted to the Cape's temperate winters. 



Harvesting operations 



The harvesting of deciduous fruits for canning begins in late November and December and nears completion 

 in March. The fruit is picked into bags holding 30 pounds and deposited into half-ton bins, which have largely 

 replaced lug boxes. Mechanical harvesting is not in use, although there is substantial interest in this means of 

 removing fruit from trees. One problem in mechanically harvesting cling peaches is the spread in maturity of 

 Kakamas clings, which require four or more pickings during the season. 



The bins of fruit are moved by motorized transport either to canneries or to receiving depots. 

 Hydra-cooling during transport is not practiced. 



Seasonal contracts between growers and canners, specifying prices by grade, are required by the Canning 

 Apricot-Peach Board. The object of these contracts is to promote stability through eliminating the once common 

 practice of growers switching canners during the season or delivering the best fruit to quality-conscious canners who 

 graded strictly and the remainder to canners who purchased fruit on an orchard-run basis. 



Grading 



Grading regulations designed to improve the quality of fruit processed and serve as a basis for establishing 

 grower prices are in effect for apricots, peaches, and pears for canning. The DFB advises the government as to the 

 regulations established for pears and the CAPB serves the same function with respect to apricots and peaches. 

 Grading is done at the canneries under Board or government supervision. 



Clingstone peaches delivered to canners are classified as canning grade, second grade, or undergrade. 

 Canning grade consists of fruit with a minimum diameter of 2-3/8" that has a yellow color and is free from insect 

 infestation, blemishes, and an undue green tint. Second-grade peaches have a minimum diameter of 2-1/8" and also 

 are free from insect infestation and a green tint; they are reasonably free of blemishes. On the recommendation of 



