Orchard site

Statement of Significance

The site is significant due to its association with the horticultural industry in the district and with pioneering families.

Physical Description

It was situated immediately to the south of 'Horseshoe' homestead, either side of a small gully. It covered about 4!/2 - 5 acres and principally comprised of apple trees. Some remnant fruit trees remain nearer the homestead, but the majority of the orchard was removed after World War II. At this stage there was no market for apples and rabbits (then in plague proportions) had ring barked most of the trees.

The packing cases for the apples were made on the farm and the original home was
converted into a packing shed.

History

Frank Carter was a pioneer settler west of Woodanilling and after taking up this property established the apple orchard. Carter was also noteworthy for his contribution to the running of the Woodanilling Roads Board (member nearly 40 years) and for his contract work in dam sinking and clearing of district roads. Income from the orchard was such that about lA of the farm proceeds came from this source.

A number of varieties of apples were grown but the Granny Smith, a green apple with excellent keeping qualities was the main apple in demand for export. Some trees (principally the Jonathon variety) were grafted to Granny Smith because of this. Other varieties such as Yates, Dunns Seedlings, Jonathon and Rookwood (a hard fleshed small red apple) were grown for the local market. These were marketed through the shops in Woodanilling and elsewhere.

Parrots were a major pest and a constant vigil needed to be kept to minimise their damage. Smoker parrots (in hundreds) would swarm onto the trees at first light, but gunshots would keep them away until the next morning. The 28 (Ringneck) parrot were more difficult as they would constantly attack the trees during the day in 2's or 3's.

The orchard required a considerable amount of work with pruning and picking which
would be undertaken by the Carter family and their two general work men.

Prior to the Second World War, the German market was the principal outlet for the export
applies. However with the outbreak of hostilities this was closed and during the war the Federal Government made some payment, based on number of trees/cases exported for growers like Carter not to market their fruit.

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