FRUIT IN MANAWATU

Manawatu Herald, Volume XLIX, Issue 3878, 1 December 1928, Page 2

FRUIT IN MANAWATU

INSPECTOR’S REPORT. Mr. J. W. Whelan, Departmental instructor who has just returned from an inspection of the orchards in the Manawatu and Wairarapa districts reports that powdery mildew has taken a fairly heavy toll of fruit in these districts this season. This applies more to home orchards than it does to the commercial ones and emphasises the fact that if people want to grow their own fruit successfully, spraying must be undertaken at the proper time that is from what is known as the first bud movement until the fruit sets. Gooseberries this year are not so plentiful, states Mi-. Whelan. However, those who were supplying the market realised better prices than last season. The cherry crop had turned out a fail- one with an absence of cracking as a result of better weather conditions, and ■ less brown rot than usual. ‘ On the whole, however, stone fruits will be scarce in the Manawatu and Wairarapa with practically no peaches in spite of the fact that the trees had blossomed heavily. Pears promised well, reported Mi’ Whelan.

Apples had proved rather disappointing. Stunners had set heavily, but the much appreciated Delicious apple would be very scarce. Other varieties were patchy.