Issue link: https://read.dmtmag.com/i/50987
Doubleday has broad interests An English farmer and landowner follows a family tradition of putting research into practice. by Geraldine Warner D Oliver Doubleday tosses a Gala apple in the air as he explains that U.K. supermarkets don't want large fruit. r. Oliver Doubleday, chair of East Malling Research for the past five years, has agricultural interests around the world, including a 4,500-acre estate in Kent, England. Doubleday was a research biologist before joining the family business, G.H. Dean and Company in Sittingbourne, Kent, 30 years ago. The company has 3,000 acres of arable land and pas- ture and several hundred acres of apples, pears, and cherries. Doubleday has a strong interest in horticultural research and enjoys bringing new ideas to bear on his farm. Last spring, he planted a 15-acre Conference pear block on a twin- leader system with the aim of harvesting double the yields of the estate's older pear orchards, which he describes as "middling or indifferent." A tour group from the International Fruit Tree Association visited the planting during the summer. The trees are on Quince C rootstocks and planted 1.2 meters (4 feet) apart with 3.8 meters (12 feet) between rows. "The rows are further apart than they need to be with this system, but "They've had a 'We're thinking about it' year." —Oliver Doubleday we're used to 3.8 meters, and we have lots of land," Doubleday said, chuckling. "I'm sorry, but we have. Everywhere you look, actually." CONTROLLED POLLINATION HIGH QUALITY POLLEN and the Means to Apply It! for… • Apples • Pears • Cherries • Apricots • Plums NEW FOR 2012 FirmYield Pollen's IMPROVED Lightweight ATV Pollen Applicator WASHINGTON D&M Chemical Michael Ellingson 509.678.5750 WASHINGTON Wilson Irrigation 509.453.9983 CALIFORNIA Tom Majors Central Valley, CA 559.287.8900 50 DECEMBER 2011 GOOD FRUIT GROWER OREGON Tim Polehn The Dalles, OR 541.340.9238 Phone 509/453-4656 • Fax: 509/469-3689 www.firmyieldpollen.com OREGON Blue Mountain Growers Dennis Burkes 541.938.3391 509.520.0686 MICHIGAN Alpers Tree Sales Suttons Bay, MI 231.633.8358 N. EUROPE Fruit Consult Jan Peeters 0031.653.410.921 www.goodfruit.com geraldine warner Come see us at the WA State Hort Show and the Great Lakes Expo in Michigan