THE FRUIT CROP

New Zealand Times, Volume XLIV, Issue 10275, 9 May 1919, Page 3

THE FRUIT CROP

REPORT OF HORTIOULTFRAL DIVISION. Officers of the Horticulture Division report as follows regarding the condition of the fruit crop at the end of April: Wanganui.—There is an average crop of apples, ;md harvesting is in full swing. Black spot and powdery mildew are very prevalent. There is also a fair percentage of .codim moth,, owing to the weather being unsuitable for spraying. There is a heavy crop of pears, but black spot is again prevalent here. A light crop of lemons has been grown. Hawke’s Bay.—The picking of Stur- ' mers is now iu full swing. The district crop is light, but good crops are being harvested from orchards- which, escaped frosts at setting period. Pears have been picked, representing a light average crop, and, only late varieties , now remain of a light crop. Frost has affected the tender foliage of citrus, and guava, and caused Stone fruit' foliage to fall. Kelson. —The harvesting of the later varieties of apples is now being completed at Nelson, and the sample is particularly good and bright. Late varieties of pears are now being gathered. The quality is good, but the supply short. Marlborough.—Practically all the apple crops have been harvested now, with the exception of the latest varieties, and growers are now in the midst of picking stunners. The season is nearly over for tomatoes. Walnuts are now being harvested, and the market has opened with good prices. Motueka.—There are good crops of most varieties of apples, but black spot is very prevalent. Lemons . are looking well, and pears show good. crops. Tho weather has been very dry since the beginning -of the year, and' still continues so. A severe hailstorm struck a few orchards at Tasman dur-; ing a short, sharp thunderstorm, and did considerable damage to the fruit. It was purely local, and confined to an area covering four or five _ orchards only. The loss may bo estimated at about one thousand cases. This fruit will be easily absorbed by the factories.