Strawberries are Here!

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 502, 3 November 1928, Page 26

Strawberries are Here!

A FLOURISHING AUCKLAND INDUSTRY GOOD SEASON REPRESENTS £60,000

Written for TITE SVN by TV. P- HARRIS

HE first-of-season chips of strawberries have appeared in the City Markets. In a few days supplies will be marketed by the growers iu

larger quantities —quantities that will increase as the season nears its peak, Christmas Eve. “Strawberries here!” The stentorian voice of the auctioneer rings out this challenge, and buyers rush to purchase the choicest samples of this luscious fruit. The sample crates are tabled before the rostrum, and the buyers crowd around. “What am I offered?” They have their cue and the strawberry battle is on. What a cosmopolitan gathering! And the varied methods of signalling bids to “the Man” would help to fill a code-book. From the immobile Chinese comes a subtle squint —a squint that is only recognised by the auctioneer; a series of staccato yelps from the more excitable Hindus, and the raising of forefinger or perhaps a double-forte bark from some European.

And the grower, should he be present, looks on to see to what extent his efforts for the past growing year are going to be rewarded! Although a much-sought-after delicacy, as a visit to the markets on a busy day will testify, there are as yet no records of amazing fortunes being amassed in any season by the growers. A fruit, without which an Auckland summer would seem incomplete, the strawberry can be likened to a delicate child. It requires constant and attentive nurturing.

The strawbery-growing area of Auckland comprises some 180 acres, whereon are grown, annually, approximately 4,000,000 plants by 120 individual growers. The smallest grower in the district tends about 5.000 plants, whereas the largest grower has 160,000 under his care. A 30,000 plant strawberry bed costs the grower about £135, exclusive of labour charges,

before a dividend is returned. Tatf. collectively, the initial outlay n? Auckland’s growing area is abo!! £20,000 (exclusive of labour). marketing value of the harvest for ” good season represents betiov!! £50,000 and £60,000.

Great care is exercised in the sew tion of plants. These are usually taken from a first-class parent pw which is itself prevented front hear’ ing. They are planted out about May or June in quotas of about 25,000 to the acre. One of the principal features of strawberry growing i s ttcareful fertilising of the beds. Prior to planting. the soil is artificially manured, and after the plants have graduated from the infant stage—about July—the ground is top-dressyi with quicker manures, which strengthen the plants and enable tho m to take on a healthy complexion Mulching usually means budding time and as soon as the first bud is sighted the grower declares war on the bird life of the district. This means a tontinuous dawn-till-dark vigil until the picking time comes along!

Picking as a rule commences about the middle of October. The berries are packed in chips, which, when filled with the fruit, weigh between a pound and a pound and a-quarter. These chips are stacked in crates, sixteen to a crate and rushed to the market. All this tedious work ot picking, packing and transporting to the city is carried out on the morning of the sale, which begins about 8.30. The people want berries, but they also want fresh berries, and a strawberry even a day old is a pathetic looking specimen.

The industry provides occupation for a number of workers at the Jubilee Institute for the Blind, ParnelL The-e men manufacture the chips in whk-j the fruit is packed. Each punnet is stamped, thus advertising the good work that is carried out by the blind inmates.