Yields 



Yields in South Africa, although showing progress, are still poor by U.S. standards. In 1967, cling peaches 

 averaged about 6 tons per acre, more than double the average of the 1950's. Apricots increased in yield from a little 

 over 1 ton to about 2Vi tons per acre and Bon Chretien pears, from 5 tons to the current 7-8 tons per acre. 



Two principal factors in the low yields have been the use of poor plant material and the planting of cling 

 peach trees on land unsuitable to their production. Also, the flaring, low-lying characteristics of many of the cling 

 trees are not able to support high yields such as those realized in California. 



Varieties 



The deciduous fruit canning industry has gained much of its prominence from one clingstone peach— the 

 Kakamas, a chance seedling of a Transvaal yellow peach. This peach is a vigorous grower, has wide adaptability, and 

 thus is well suited to the Western Cape's temperate climate. It is characterized by a rich golden color when canned. 



From almost the inception of the canning industry to the early 1960's,the Kakamas was by far the 

 dominant canning peach. This resulted in a short canning season of only 6 or 7 weeks. Attempts to increase this span 

 brought forth the introduction of Kakamas-related varieties, which have doubled the length of the canning season. 

 Also as a result, the Kakamas cling now comprises less than half of all cling trees. The Goosen cling, once considered 

 a promising variety, has also dropped off sharply in popularity because of its light color, which does not match well 

 with the Kakamas color, and its susceptability to delayed foliation. The principal canning varieties, their 

 approximate harvesting dates, and the percent of each of non-bearing and bearing trees in 1966, are listed below: 



Variety 



Oom Sarel . . . 

 Prof. Malherbe 

 Prof. Black. . . 

 Prof. Neethling 



Goosen 



Keimoes .... 



Walgant 



Woltemade. . . 

 Kakamas .... 



Harvesting 





time 



Dec. 



14-29 



Dec. 



20-Jan. 1 



Jan. 



7-24 



Jan. 



11-20 



Dec. 



13-Jan. 16 



Jan. 



22-Feb. 12 



Feb. 



2-14 



Feb. 



7-24 



Feb. 



8-Mar. 1 



Nonb earing 

 cling 'trees 



Percent 

 10 



9 

 22 

 12 



2 



4 



6 



4 

 31 



Bearing trees 



Percent 



13 



15 



3 



6 



56 



The Elberta variety constitutes about three-fourths of the freestone peaches used for canning. Over 90 

 percent of the pears processed by canners consist of the Williams Bon Chretien variety, known in the United States 

 as the Bartlett pear. It is generally harvested during a 3-week season in January or early February. The variety 

 Packham's Triumph makes up most of the remaining deliveries to canners. 



In the apricot sector the Royal variety, which ripens about the third week in December, is the traditional 

 canning fruit. In 1957 approximately 90 percent of all growing trees were Royals. This share has since declined to 70 

 percent, whereas the Bulida variety, which ripens at the end of November, has increased to 28 percent of all trees. 

 The increase in the number of dying trees of the Royal variety, believed to be caused by chronic diseases such as 

 bacterial canker, and the good and more consistent bearing capacity of Bulidas are probably the main reasons for 

 these trends. The Bulida, however, is inclined towards pulpiness when canned. This has damaged its popularity with 

 processors. A promising new variety, Peeka— a cross between the Royal and Bulida varieties— may eventually rank 

 high among apricot varieties. 



Cultural characteristics 



Cultural practices in the producing areas have gradually improved during the past decade, especially through 

 improved water management, fertilization, and disease and pest control. Application of irrigation water, done mostly 

 with sprinkler systems, is practiced widely during the dry months although not always in the volume desirable 



