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:: Rivulets - Krokodilpoort
In this important area lie the estates of H.L. Hall & Sons, and Crocodile Valley Citrus Estates, the two largest producers in the Lowveld, as well as the Citrus & Subtropical Horticultural Research Station at Nelspruit.
Westwards from Krokodilpoort (altitude 1,827 feet; rainfall 21 inches) towards Nelspruit (2,349 feet; 30 inches) citrus plantings remain close to the Crocodile River with concentrations at Carino and particularly Mayfern, but west of Nelspruit the valley opens out and the citrus belt becomes broader as advantage istaken of the Nels River and Gladdespruit, two tributaries of the Crocodile; for gravitational irrigation. Further concentrations occur at Cairn, Alkmaar, Schagen and Rivulets (2,766 feet; 32 inches) where the valley tapers off towards the gorge at Montrose, just west of Rivulets.
Irrigation water is obtained by gravitation canals from the Crocodile and its tributaries, and also by direct pumping from this river. Transport conditions are excellent since both the railway line and the national road between Johannesburg and Lourenco Marques follow the length of the Crocodile Valley.
The soils are largely granitic in origin, mostly sandy with an acid reaction. They are deficient in zinc and magnesium and require fertilizing with nitrogen, phosphates and potash. The climate is very suitable for citrus, particularly Valencia Late and Mid-season oranges, and lemons.
Humidity is low in spring, some frost is experienced towards the river banks in winter but not severe enough to be dangerous, although the foliage and internal quality of lemons have often been affected. Wind damage is not severe, but hail is a real danger and intermittent hailstorms particularly during early summer are the rule rather than the exception. The average rainfall of 29 inches has to be supplemented with approximately six irrigations per annum.
:: White River - Carino
Citrus is cultivated on both banks of the White River for a distance of approximately 16 miles stretching from Carino (1,897 feet; 23 inches) through Plaston to White River (3,200 feet;36 inches) and beyond to Longmere. Irrigation is almost entirely by gravitational canals. Greater progress has been made in the controlled distribution of water in this area than in any other in the Lowveld.
The Longmere storage dams releases water for 6 canals each with a specific allocation of water according to the scheduled irrigable areas commanded and distribution is further assisted by a balancing resivoir in the upper Carino area. Notwithstanding these conservation effots the citrus in this area is periodically starved of water during critical periods in early summer and further efforts are being made by the White River Conservation Board for additional storage facilities.
The soils vary from a rather coarse-tectured shallow sandy type in Carina to reddish sandy loam in White River. Zinc and magnesium deficiencies are prevalent throughout. The Carino soils are particularly low in available nitrogen and phosphate and those in White River are low in calcium and phosphate. The humus content is generally low under cultivation. Nevertheless, some fine citrus is grown in this valley and very high yields have been recorded in Plaston and Carino.
The climate is suitable, although much hotter in Carino than in White River. Occasionally in hollows winter temperatures drop rather low above White Rive with minimum temperatures as low as 28 F. have been recorded, which is sufficient to damage citrus. Hail damage is intermittenly severe. Mean annual rainfall varies between 23 inches at Carino and 36 inches at White River and has to be supplemented by 4 to 6 irrigations per annum.
Transport facilities are excellent and most of the fruit is packed for export by the White River Fruitgrowers Co-op. Co. Ltd.
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