THE FRUIT CROP

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 268, 8 August 1919, Page 10

THE FRUIT CROP

MID-WINTER REVIEW. Officers of the Horticulture Division of the Departmont of Agriculturo report as follow regarding the condition of the frnjt crop at tho end of July;— North Auckland.—Apples: Local stuff from cool stores is small; thero is, however, a good supply yet. Lemons: Tho autumn sotting has proved disappointing; trees, however, aro mnking better recovery here. Oranges (pwsprving): Medium crop of medium-sized stuff. . SwlMt .'oranges bolow Average, vniy small. Strawberries: Satisfactory progress. Tomatoes: Inside stuff looking very fine. The indoor tomatoes aro forward. The citrus crop may lie considered a failure, with the exception of "Poorman" oranges, which are making tho beat recovery. Somo of the orange

growers aro sustaining heavy losses this senson. General orchard work is well in lmnd. Tho 'Cultivation of tomatoes under glass continues to receive moro attention in Whangarci; several moro large glasshouses aro now nearing completion. Waitemata—Apples: Amplo supply coming forward l'rom local cool storage. Lemons: Short supply; small catch-crop maturing. Oranges (preserving): Medium crop, but poor quality; sweet, below average, very small. Strawberries: Beds showing particularly well. Winter work in the commercial orchards is well in hand. Very few 1 plantings aro being indulged in, citrus, Delicious : applos, and a few peaches being the only trees in demand. Apples are coming out of store fairly, well, hut pears are disappointing so far. There are indications of an early spring in 6omo quarters, but the cold snap just experienced may delay tho season. liden County—Lemons: Very light setting. Trees now commencing spring growth. Oranges (sweet): About average, very small; preserving, medium crop, small. Tomatoes: Indoor stuif, good progress generally. Strawberry patches are looking exceptionally well for this period. Frosts a&ecting citrus. Auckland City and Suburbs.—Lemons: Indifferent setting; affected by adverse weather conditions. Oranges (preserving): Medium crop; small 6tuff, Tomatoes: Houses advanced. Market gardens and strawberry patches arc in good heart, and in most cases well forward. Auckland South.—Growers still busy with winter operations, spraying, etc.; pruning well in hand. This month has been generally favourable for this class of work. Potatoes being planted freely in favoured positions.

•, Waikato.—Pruning is now in full swing in all parts of tho country. Tho weather has been more or less broken, a good deal of rain falling. A few heavy frosts have been experienced. Most things will benefit Poverty Bay and Hawke's Bay.—All crops harvested. The weather during tho month has been very favourable for all seasonable orchard work, which is well advanced throughout tho district. Wanganui— Apples: Pruning 'and spraying ivith red oil ill full swing. Lemons: Average crop. Plums: Cherry plums in 'bloom. Plums (Japanese): Burbanki breaking into bloom. Wellington.—Continuous bad weather is hampering winter work in tho archards and market gardens of the district, the past month having been exceptionally -wet. Cucumbers from under glass are already on tho market. and aro realising good prices. Tho earlier tomato-houses are now being planted. As a result of the good prices obtained an increase in tlio actpage under tomatoes may be expected in the coining season.

'. Nelson.—During the month tho weather has been seasonable with modorate rains. There Ims been no ecrioua interruption to orchard work. A fair amount of orchard plauting has been done and general work is woll forward. Motueka.—Winter spraying operations in hand. All varieties of fruit trees aro showing fair promise of fruit-buds for next season's crop. Good prices aro being realised for apples held over and noiv being marketed. Marlborough.—Practically uo fruit now remains in the district, with the exception of a few Stunners, and these ■will be cleared now almost immediately. Pruning is in full swjng, and with the favouratfle weather winter operations are well forward. Canterbury.—Only cool-stored fruit coming on market at present. In good condition. Good prices being realised. Fruit treos' woll ahead. Evidenco for good orops of all fruits, providing frosts do hot interfere. Christchurch City and SuburbsWarm nor'-westers have been prevalent during the month, and bud movement is very pronounced in a good many trees, especially peftrs, plums, and peaches. We chn expect a good deal of cold weather yet, which will check growth and'perhaps do some damage. Pruning is fairly well forward in most orchards, and spraying is in full awing. Otago.—Pruning is now well under way, and from appearances at present tho coming crop will bo a bumper one. All stoue fruit trees particularly are heavily furnished with fruiting 'spurs. Daily of these had an enforced rest from, cropping last year, and ore in good condition, for carrying heavy crops in the coming season. The winter generally has been a favourable one, and if the samo conditions prevail the season is likely to be a much earliei* one than in the previous year.