Post-war trends in the citrus industry

The citrus industry in Western Australia in terms of acreage and production is third in magnitude to pome fruits and grapes. At the present time there are in the vicinity of 390,000 citrus trees planted in commercial orchards in the recognised citrus districts, producing up to half a million bushels per annum. Of the total number of trees 80.7% are oranges; 11.6% lemons; 4.6% grapefruit, and 3.1% mandarins. Production of fruit follows a somewhat similar pattern, except that the proportion of oranges is somewhat less and that of lemons considerably greater than that shown by the number of trees

Diphenyl wraps for oranges

Diphenyl impregnated wraps have been successfully used on a commercial basis overseas for improving the keeping quality of oranges. Last year Mr. E. G. Hall, of the C.S.I.R.O. Laboratories, Homebush, kindly made available a quantity of diphenyl wraps of American origin and some of these were used in a small storage experiment with Washington Navel oranges

The passion fruit - its cultivation in Western Australia

Passion fruit has been grown commercially for many years in Western Australia, A where its delightful flavour has made it very popular. It may be eaten fresh or as a component of fruit salads and preserves, is held in high regard by housewives for flavouring cakes and icing, and more recently has been extensively used in the production of a proprietary aerated beverage

The storage of Granny Smith apples

The Granny Smith, since its introduction into Western Australia about 1914, has had a very decided influence on the apple industry in this State. It has for many years now been the main variety and at present is approaching 50 per cent, of plantings. The general age level is considerably below that for the other important varieties and with its domination of new plantings in recent years production can be expected to increase considerably at the expense of the other varieties, particularly Cleos and Dunns, and some of the red varieties. The annual production has been as high as a million bushels in a heavy year

The loss in weight of stored Jonathon apples

The Jonathan is recognised as a low density apple and light weight packs are often a problem with this variety. During 1954 a small scale test was carried out to illustrate the effect of handling procedure prior to cool storage on the loss in weight and quality of the fruit. Orchard pick Jonathans were obtained from the Illawarra Orchard Company, Karragullen and from Mr. A. McAlinden of Bridgetown. After subjecting the fruit to various pre-cool storage treatments, it was placed in commercial chambers at Illawarra and Tropical Traders Patersons Ltd., respectively

Thinning of deciduous fruits

In the absence of any artificial control of the crop, most varieties of fruit trees will set much more fruit than it is possible for the trees to bring to marketable size and this is particularly the case with stone fruits. Even under good cultural and weather conditions the trees are often unable to bring the fruit to satisfactory size unless thinning is practised

Sod culture - A system of orchard soil management

Sod cultivation, or the growing of fruit trees under grass, has gained considerable prominence overseas in recent years. Some success has been achieved in citrus orchards, and to a limited extent the system has been applied to stone fruits, particularly English plums. However its main application has been in growing apples and pears

Scald in granny smith apples

The Granny Smith has been the most widely grown variety of apple in Western Australia for many years. In 1946 a survey showed that more than one-third of the apple trees growing in this State were Granny Smiths and new plantings and reworkings since then have been predominately of this variety. Production in 1947, a very heavy crop year, exceeded a million bushels, which represented about 40 per cent, of the total apple crop for that year. This decided preference shown by growers for the Granny Smith emanates from its suitability to West Australian conditions and the strong demand for this popular apple both on the overseas and local market. However, in common with this variety grown under similar climatic conditions elsewhere, it is very subject to scald when cool stored for long periods

A guide to the harvesting of plums for export

Western Australia is well situated geographically to supply the demand for plums on the Singapore market and over the past 10 years, a substantial export trade has been developed. Growers have found this outlet profitable, and increased plantings of suitable varieties have been made. During the 1957 season—a record export year—almost 40,000 boxes were shipped