THE FRUIT SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume XXXVI, Issue 17, 20 January 1905, Page 4

THE FRUIT SEASON.

Inquiries made by a "Star"' represents-, tive as to the prospects of the fruit season in the Auckland district point to a light crop, of stone fruits and eorr respondingly high prices. Japanese plums, which are usually great bearers/ have lees fruit on this eeasoni propor- ) tjonately to English plums. This is at-fl tributed to the fact that as the Japan- ■ ese varieties bloom very early, they suffered most from the south-westerly gales. An evidence of tlie scarcity of Burbanks is the fact that so far none have sold under 3/ per case, whereas last | season growers were glad to get 1/ti. || Apparently prices for plums all round will be fully 100 per cent, higher than the rates ruling last year. The markets at Wellington and Dunedin have so far ruled very high, Auckland growers having obtained as high as 8/ per case for fruit sent to these towns. Peaches also shape for a very light crop, although, with both plums and peaches, there are certain well sheltered spots where tlie -'"fM growers have got on excellently. Applee ■* appear to be plentiful, but the fruit it m smaller than usual this year, due, no 9 doubt, to the continued cold weather. Half bushel cases of apples have sold at : from 4/6 to 5/6 at "both-Wellington and 9 Dunedin. As regards' the strawberry crop, the -season was delayed by" the - :-**) wet and cold, so that practically the •■•■■ early gathering did not take plnce. ■■■•.- What is called the second crop is a fair ■ average one. At Birkenhead the crop is reported poor on the average, but it -S is better at Northcote, and some really i good results have been obtained .on ,-:'>. sheltered flats. Generally considered jt, A ; is, however, pretty certain that with : the exception of apples, fruit will be scarce and dear this season.