THE FRUIT SEASON.

Auckland Star, Volume LVII, Issue 301, 20 December 1926, Page 10

THE FRUIT SEASON.

PROSPECTS FOR THIS TEAR. SLIGHT IMPROVEMENT EXPECTED. <By Telegrr-pb.—Special to " Star."! MASTERTON, this day. Commenting on the prospects for the forthcoming fruit season, Mr. G. A. Green, Dominion secretary of the New Zealand Nurserymen's Association, said that the season was expected to be slightly better than last year. Owing to the wet blossoming period, the crop of stone fruits would be small, while the recent severe hailstorm, which was fairly genera] throughout the country, had further retarded the growth, the result being that Hawke's Bay exportable crop was reduc?d by one-half, while Central Otago was only expected to produce 40 per cent of the usual* quantity. Small fruits, however, were bea--ing prolifically. gooseberries especially. The stiawberry season would be a >h >rt but good one. while the tomato crop ,\a; ex]-e«tcd to reach record proport : ons. Mr. Green added that there had been a fairly extensive planting of apricots, and other s'one fruits to a lesser degree, bin no further apple orchards would be planted until s-o—-: stabiliiv was reached, and a steady export Trade encouraged. He anticipated that 3S-*-oou as ex**on developed the industry would q-'ir-klv expand. In connection with the popularity of apr.c<>i -rowing, Mr. Green mentioned the opportunity of introducing eannin" and drying to supply the local market" which at present depends entirely on imported goods. As far as apple growing was concerned, added Mr. Green, the growers on the wbo3e seemed satisfied with the Minister's decision re_a:dln** the guarantee on exportable fruit.