THE STRAWBERRY CROP.

Taranaki Daily News, 4 August 1921, Page 7

THE STRAWBERRY CROP.

GOOD SEASON PREDICTED. The prospects for the strawberry season this year were stated on Saturday . by Auckland growers to be particularly good. “The plants are in better condition than they were last year,” stated the representative of a prominent firm of fruit merchants, “and there is every prospect of a heavy crop of good fruit. There are about three million plants in this season, a rather smaller number than last year, but they are stronger and in better condition, owing to the very mild winter experienced. The gardens at Northcote, Birkenhead; Glenfield, and Mount Roskill are all looking equally wed, and the first of the ripe fruit should be on the market towards the end of October. It was further stated that a number iof returned soldiers who had taken up strawberry growing last season had now given it up as an unsuccessful ventured In several instances women had taken up the work lately, but it was not recommended as a venture into which they could satisfactorily put their money and energy, owing to the heavy and constant work it demanded. There was continual need for weeding, manuring, and attention to the plants during the cold winter weather, followed by the laborious work of picking throughout the season.