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Abstract

The export of Tasmanian apples to London opens
up a wide and interesting field of inquiry to the student of physical
science, as well as a source of profit to Tasmanian growers, and pleasure
to consumers in England, and being intimately acquainted with the
subject from the beginning, he had thought some account of its history
would be interesting to this Society, and form a record of the initial
steps taken to establish what now appears likely to be of colonial, if not
national, importance. The soil and climate of Southern Tasmania have
long been noted for their suitability for growing and maturing all the
fruits of a temperate climate in perfection ; and as the industry
gradually extended from Hobart, southwards to the Huon, and north-westerly
up the Derwent Valley, a distinct difference was discovered in
the growth, and consequent treatment necessary in the two districts.
In the Huon the heavy rainfall and damp climate, and fertility of
virgin soil fresh won from the dense forests produced a luxuriant
growth of large sized fruit, and orchards quickly spread along the
narrow valleys and crept up the steep hillsides until it became the staple
industry of a great part of the district, and the main dependence of
a number of small settlers.
The Derwent Valley extending inland,
and gradually widening in a north-westerly direction out of the line of
the great mountain ranges of the west that cause the moist climate of
the Huon, is dry and arid, and the system of fruit growing, especially
that of apples, that had been so successful in the Huon, failed when
applied to the Upper Derwent. But small patches of the river flats
near New Norfolk that received the drainage from the hills, and some
that were irrigated for hops, were found to produce excellent fruit.

Item Type:	Article
Authors/Creators:	Shoobridge, William Ebenezer
Keywords:	Royal Society of Tasmania, Van Diemens Land, VDL, Hobart Town, natural sciences, proceedings, records
Journal or Publication Title:	Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Collections:	Royal Society Collection > Papers & Proceedings of the Royal Society of Tasmania
Additional Information:	In 1843 the Horticultural and Botanical Society of Van Diemen's Land was founded and became the Royal Society of Van Diemen's Land for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science in 1844. In 1855 its name changed to Royal Society of Tasmania for Horticulture, Botany, and the Advancement of Science. In 1911 the name was shortened to Royal Society of Tasmania.
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