THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

Taranaki Daily News, 1 November 1922, Page 7

THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

HEAVY YIELD EXPECTED. CROPS BENEFIT BY RAINS. There ja every prospect of a heavy crop of strawberries this season (says the Auckland Herald). The berries are coming on to the market nearly three weeks earlier than usual. About 200 crates were sold on Saturday at the Auckland city markets, the prices ranging from Is to 2s 3d per chip. Oldbed berries brought from Is to Is 4d, the bulk of the new berries ranging from Is fid to- 2s per chip. The area planted in strawberries this season is said to be quite equal to that of previous seasons, and the mild winter experienced enabled a larger number of doubtful plants than usual to come into bearing. Early in the season rain was badly wanted and it came just in time to save many of the beds from perishing. The downopur on Saturday night and Sunday morning is expected to prove extremely beneficial to the crops, and large consignments of berries should reach, the market this week. A 'few 'Tfrates of strawberries have been sent South this season, but efforts to induce the railway authorities to make special arrangements for the carriage of the berries have not yet proved successful. Last season the strawberries for the South were -paid for at parcel Tates, and only a limited quantity could be taken. This charge is equal to 3s a crate, or rather more than 2d a pound, which, with auctioneers’ charges added makes strawberries rather an expensive luxury in the Southern centres.