RECORDS BROKEN

Auckland Star, Volume LXXVI, Issue 251, 23 October 1945, Page 2

RECORDS BROKEN

AUCKLAND PLANTINGS ABNORMAL SPRING DEMAND All previous records are being broken in Auckland as home gardeners quicken the pace to get crops established after a late spring start. In suburb there is extraordinary activity, and seedsmen and nurserymen in the city ieport_that past years' sales t.re being eclipsed as each week swells the exceptional turnover. "The season is about three weeks late, but operations are now in full swing," said a leading seedsman to-day. "Everyone seems determined to make -up f->r lost time. A great deal of planting has been done in the past few weeks, and operations are being maintained at peak level. The rush to buy plants and seeds is phenomenal. We have never known anything like it." Young crops had made a promising start, he said, but a wet September and cold winds dliring October had combined to delay planting and retard growth. Warm conditions, with occasional rains, were needed now to ensure good results. There were, however, many gardens on sheltered northerly and easterly slopes where crops were already well advanced. Outdistancing all other demands, it was stated, was that for tomato plants. Provision had been made for a larger supply of tomatoes than last year, but if the demand continued at the present peak it would be difficult to satisfy requirements. The unusual seasonal conditions had created an added problem for nurserymen in estimating the needs of the public. It was not known why there should be such an extraordinary demand for tomatoes, but the position was attributed partly to growing appreciation of the unusual value of tomatoes for salads, for pulping for winter, and for soups and other uses. American servicemen had contributed to the greater appreciation of the benefits of tomatoes.

Flower seeds and seedlings were also much sought, it was learned, and apparently people were doing their best to brighten the surroundings of their homes. Wives were vying with husbands, and increasing numbers of women were becoming enthusiastic gardeners. In private orchards, the best feature was reported to be the heavy blossoming of orange and lemon trees, which were making a better show than for a number of years. Last season was below normal, and it appeared likely that the coming crop would be above average.