FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 71, 18 December 1918, Page 8

FRUIT AND VEGETABLES

[kview of mauket conditions, j Fruit inspectors of tlio Horticulture jivision of the_D3?artnieut of Agriciil- : lire report as" follows on tho condition f locally-grown fruit and vegetables in hops and auction rooms for the month E November, 1918. 'Auckland.—The peace celebrations foliwed by thp inlluenza epidemic have iiinpletely disorganised business this ionth, and it is difficult to stale the tact position. Beforo tho Government pmmandeeral lemons anil oranges they ;ere bringing abnormal pricey. in the actions, and-were being retailed at Gd. ach. In the auctions as-high ae 40s. ev bushel case for lemons-was 'easily eached. Pi'imo samples of local apples re. rather scarce, and bringing high ■rices. ' Tho quality and colour of jrawberries have greatly improved, but Wing to: weather conditions there J3 a 'reat shortage/and unless tlio weather )on improves in warmth it will result i loss to the grower. . A few cases- of herries have come in from Oratia. |otatocs both new and old have not been nHicient for the demand, and tho prices amain firm. Vegetables arc coming in ; little mone plentifully. ...-..:.■ ■Wellington.—Supplies of apples during his month were not equal to the deiand, consequently prices advanced, and hopkeepers were pleaeed to receive imerican. apples Dougherty apples ariving at the markets are in mixed conition, some lines, have suffered considrably from cold storage, and this acpunts for tho wide range in;'prices reeived. Tho supply of pears isj jjg.iv cxlausted. There is a good supply of looseberries ,nnd cherries coming forward from the Nelson district, and these ta -realising fair prices. Hutt toniaoes are gradually increasing in supply fith prices firm. ; Ch'ristchurch —Both fruit and vege-ables-have been in fair supply, nntl the emand has been fairly good. Frosts .id some damage, especially to eauliflowts, and, consequently, a sharp advance esulted. First-class Stunners, ex cool tort, have advanced a shilling per caso ir.ee last month. ' Cherries and ton.abes have 'maintained good prices. Straw!erries are high, the best quality realising 2s. 6d. per ib. Supplies of new lotatoes and peas -are on the market, •ml prices (ire good.

■ Diinedin.—Fairly large quantities of iot-houso tomatoes have arrived from Canterbury, nntl • have realised hijfh irices. . Cherries are also coming forrard from Otaco Central, but only in mall lots. The supplies, however, hoiild very much increase if wnrm feather sets in for nl little while. The ieinaml / for vegetablss lias been very ;een'during the month.