THE FRUIT CROP

Dominion, Volume 9, Issue 2588, 9 October 1915, Page 8

THE FRUIT CROP

, CONDITIONS LAST MONTH. officers of the Horticulture Division report as follows regarding the con- («• - l " - aition-vof the: fruit- crop -at.-the end of September"; — - ! ' v ...;,.Hastings.— I The: present appearance, of ' the trees- indicates good . -crops. .. Pip. 3 fruits are' blossoming • and: setting their! ' fruit'well. A frost earlier in the month iid a slight amount of damage to 6tone - friuits.\- . ;■!?>' .'" ''Wanganui.—App'es: A , first .rate ' ■ chow,of' blossom.' Apricots: A moder-. ' . ato' crop - set. •• Cherries: A good'' show :' ■■: :■ of. -blossom. . Gooseberries:., Very fair prbp'inisight. Lemons: A good average ..." ;>naintame3:-:"Neciarines and.'peaches: ■(A good crop-lias set: Pears: A /heavy display,'of blossom. Plums (English): (Prospects very, varied; Plujns (Japanese): A;- good crop set.. Raspberries: Condition -.fair."" Strawberries: ■ Ranta.v:'.- r '-.-v.!|i(aiff.gfflierally -making . strong ..growth. I ; .Tom»ttfes: "A considerable ~stock of i > plants ready for planting out; ; Crops nn- ' der - glass are well forward. . '.Spraying of tomatoes-is now more general, -with; excellent results. The weather.has been, favourable to orchard .prospects. Good ii-'jft. showers,with no frost has been the gencral experience. ■ . ' Palmorston North. —Apple . . trees blooming heavily. Pears,appear to be settnxg'jwell so far. Peaches, Nectarines: Good,.but a-largo number of buds ■ 'dropped; Cherries very heavy blossoming. Gooseberries sot- well.......English plums light blossoming. . Japanese; 1 ieavy./'-This variety set very patchy. >3 -Wellington. —Apples: Blossom show- ' ing np well. .Apricots: Fair. Cherries: • Fair. Gooseberries: Good crop promis~:i " ing. Lemons: Trees look well;-fruit good. 'Peaches: Small.' Pears: Blossom/setting well. > ; .Plums (English) : •fair crop.: Plums (Japanese): Good crop of: blossom. Raspbeirrios: . Small areas look well. Strawberries: Small. ; ffomatoes: Strong, healthy; ;plants are forward and good results 'should bo obtained. The weather has been rather dry until the latter end of this month,

when welcome) rains oame... This lias stimulated; the crops' and Wonderfully/-'' Spraying for •mildew us about to start when seyoral now sprays will bo! used.: Growers''should arrange for their fruit ca'sos. early. and avoid disappointment this year.•' Blenheim. —Apples.: .Every prospect of heavy crop. Apricots:. '.Late frost "did considerable damage in' parts, of tho district! 1 •• Cherries:'- . Heavy crop. of bloom. Goosehernea:'- , Medium'- crop. Lemons: Good crops!' . Nectarines and peaches: Heavy crop of bloom. Pears and plums: Very heavy crop of bloom. A few early varieties settingwell. Raspberries: Medium crop. -Tomatoes: Under.glass, commencing to set well.