SOLACE FOR HEAT.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVII, Issue 285, 1 December 1936, Page 5

SOLACE FOR HEAT.

RIPE STRAWBERRIES.

AUCKLAND PICKERS BUSY.

PLENTIFUL CROP EXPECTED,

One of the delights of an old Auckland summer — when it does come —is an abundance of . fine strawberries. This season lack of sunshine lias kept back the crop. Moreover, there is little demand for tliem until the weather is really hot.

The same sunny weather which, it is hoped, will bring on plenty of the cool, juicy berries in the next few weeks, should also give Aucklanders an appetite for them. With the present dull skies and cool winds, there is little attraction in the fruiterers' windows, overflowing with the luscious fruit. When the sun shines again, and throats grow drier, their attraction will 'become irresistible. Without cool, refreshing strawberries and cream, there would be something lacking in a day in the sun at Milford, or at work in the heat of the city. Big Crop Indicated. Though plantings of strawberries have been lighter this season by about a quarter, a big crop of fine quality fruit is anticipated. The plants are looking better than for years past, and are heavilv laden. At Avondale ibouth and the Birkdale district, where most of the supplies come from, pickers are already busv.

For want of sun, many berries have had to be picked with "white noses," but it only needs a week of real sunshine to bring 011 an abundant crop of the real red-all-over variety. More Captain Cooks have been planted this year, and the crop should be about half Captain Cook and half Marguerite. The most popular English varieties, such ~ as Laxtons, do not suit local conditions.

Flush Before Christmas. The flush of the strawberry season should come within the next two or three weeks. Then school children, and all sorts of people will make their annual trek to the strawberry fields, to pick and pack fruit for hundreds in and out of the city. Large quantities go to the Waikato every year, and formerly Auckland berries went all over the North Island. Lately, however, growers in Nelson and Wanganui have been supplying the moie southerly parts.