UNITED FRONT

As with most good things in life you always finds someone else doing the same thing.   I got a lot of calls and interest in the fruit fly report in the previous post and a lot of it positive.  I am also glad to report that Calitzdorp Cellar is on big time on the wagon.  Some of you might allready have found some funny things hanging in your fruit trees in the backyard.  They took that upon themselves to hang out these fruit fly bait stations.  What it does it attracts the female fly and kills it.  It works for three months.  The Cellar will carry the expense of the first one for the season.  It only works for three months so after that you can go and buy one at the Calitzdorp Cellar.  It is really expensive a price of R3.80 for one.  You hang one per tree and the problem of fruit flies is gone. 
Those of you that did not receive one yet.  The cellar will through young Hein Nel,  son of Joos Nel,  come and visit you and he will put it out.  If you are not there he might take the liberty of doing it anyway.  All in a good cause for better fruit for everyone. 
I think from a farmers respective and a member of the community I would like to thank Joos Nel, Dirkie Brink and rest of the board of Directors of Calitzdorp Cellar for this bold move.  The fight against this insect can be won in Calitzdorp because of the small area and if everyone pulls together this insect had his day in the Port Capital.

A few weeks back I had also the opportunity to talk to the Graham and Rhona Beck Skills Centre.  That is the big building just before Rooiberg Cellar on you left as you drive to Cape Town on the R62. 
Their main focus is the developement of skills among the unskilled.  They are a non-profit organization and make use of outside expertise to present courses in about anything.  Some of the sample they talked about is ironing,  cleaning,  welding,  basic repairs on cars,  driving,  spraying etc.  They are really open to any suggestions for courses and is eager to do some of those courses in Calitzdorp. 
I took the liberty to offer a bed and if we get maybe two or three of you restaurants to also donate a plate of food then the cost can really come down and be affordable for everyone. 
They try and cover any area of work and are willing to look into anything.  I think we must try and think such courses that might benefit the local community.  Do send any suggestions to me and I will sort of try to co-ordinate it.  The players I'll like to see get involved is the tourism,  agricultural and restaurants in Calitzdorp.  See where your workers need some more refinement and maybe there is more than a few that also face the same problem.

On the farming side the apricots is getting bigger.  Now is the time to introduce some real potasium for quality of fruit as well as nitrogen for size.  Don't overdo the nitrogen though.  You might also look into the whole micro element sprays for your plants.  Things like zinc,  boron and Manganese are important for your plants but they need it in small quantities. The first two is the most important in the local conditions. 
As in the first paragraph stated now is also the time to fight our six legged friends.  Do hang those bait stations and replace after three months.  It would not just help you but a lot of farmers will sleep a lot better. 

Enjoy.