Pics from the Past | Golden groves of Orrvale

The articles shown below speak of a magnificent orange grove in the 1920s and detail his successes.

William sold the Airlie property in 1936 to Mr E. Niederle.

The photo shown was taken in 1950, and sometime after this, the house and land were cleared, as there are no fruit trees or residence there today.

The property is located across the road from Orrvale Primary School.

A fine citrus property

By Penang.

(The Australasian, 1924)

One of the finest citrus orchards in the Shepparton district is owned and managed by Mr McGregor, of Orrvale.

The property, known as Airlie, has about 15 acres planted to orange trees, and, with the exception of those occupying a small strip of land close to the house, they are remarkably uniform in size, well grown and rich in the colour of the foliage.

Owing to the proximity of an adobe house close to the orchard, Mr McGregor has not cared to take the risk of irrigating these trees liberally, and to this is attributed their relative inferiority when compared with the remainder of the orchard trees.

Prior to planting the orchard, Mr McGregor was engaged in business, and he possessed little, if any, knowledge of the fruit-growing industry.

His business experience, and perhaps some degree of native shrewdness, stood him in good stead.

Before deciding on the purchase of the property, he visited all the main citrus-growing districts in the state and carefully examined the conditions in which the trees were grown.

Notwithstanding that many of the best orchards he visited were planted in light soil, preference was given to the heavier loam of the Shepparton area.

He argued that to produce fruit of a good weight and texture, it was necessary to have a soil capable of fully supplying the requirements of the trees.

Although advised to the contrary, he decided to purchase land that had carried lucerne crops for some years.

Magnificent sight

An Orrvale citrus grove

(Shepparton Advertiser, 1925)

Uniformity is the outstanding characteristic of the fine orange grove of Mr W. McGregor, of Orrvale.

This is pronounced in regard to the distance apart of the rows of trees, the spaces between the latter, the size of the trees and likewise of the abundance of luscious fruit.

It is a feature of the place which is intentionally in evidence; it has been dwelt upon by the owner.

Studious cultivation of the property, only from the time that Mr McGregor became its owner a few short years ago, is the great success which many attribute thereto.

To-day the grove presents a picture of striking beauty.

A magnificent crop of well-formed fruit, of good marketable size, evenly coloured, peeping out from a circle of well-shaped uniform leaves of a dark green hue, presents a scene which calls forth from all visitors expressions of delight and admiration.

Viewed from a little distance, the innumerable golden balls look like so many golden electric bulbs set within an enchanted surrounding of rich foliage.

Beautiful as is the scene which greets, it is, after all, the practical that is the most desirable.

Mr McGregor is known publicly to deprecate the view that the present bumper crop is likely to prove a “freak.”

There is more to come, says Mr McGregor, and this will be augmented from year to year as the greater productivity of the trees increases.

In the circumstances, Mr McGregor has reason to be gratified, not to say proud, of the success which has attended his efforts.

He, as a result of careful consideration of his projected venture, selected the place just 8½ years ago as being, having regard to all aspects of the question, the most suited on which to prepare an orange grove.

Discouragements he certainly met with, for no success worth achieving is ever gained without some such experience to a lesser or greater degree.

His came chiefly from the pessimists, who lacked, if not the courage, at least the faith which Mr McGregor possessed.

Whatever influence the predictions of these people had upon Mr McGregor, he did not disclose to the public, but with undaunted courage and steadfast purpose kept on the even tenor of his way.

His faith has been rewarded.

To-day the grove is said to be one of the finest in the district, and the lesson which he taught is being taken advantage of by many who are now bent upon following his example.

As a commercial proposition, the property to-day is a most attractive one.

The total area is 30 acres.

Of this, 15 acres are under orange trees, which were planted 8½ years ago; three acres planted two years back, whilst the balance is devoted to soft fruits — pears, peaches, figs and quinces.

With the idea of making the fullest possible use of his area, Mr McGregor has had the borders planted with trees of a type which not only act as a windscreen to the citrus trees but also provide saleable fruit and nuts.

On one boundary are planted pear trees, on another quince trees, on another figs and on a fourth almonds.

With the exception of a small area of oranges of the late Valencia variety, the whole grove is what is known as Washington navels, which Mr McGregor regards as being the most profitable to grow.

Mr McGregor has also about 1½ acres of Lisbon lemons now cropping.

Close attention in regard to all matters which are essential to secure a maximum of success is what Mr McGregor believes in and practises.

Care has to be taken in regard to cultivation, watering and manuring.

To each of these, he attends at periodic intervals, and thereby not only are prolific crops assured but also large juicy fruit, for which the public calls.

Watering must never be overlooked.

Considerable quantities are needed, but at the same time, it must not be overdone.

Mr McGregor allows the water to run from the main channels through pipes to the furrows and is thus able to control it.

By this, he is fortunate in that he has a main channel running on either side of the property.

Geoff Allemand is an amateur photographer and Lost Shepparton Facebook page admin. Please share your Pics from the Past at pastpics@mmg.com.au