NEW ZEALAND ORANGES

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21977, 29 December 1936, Page 3

NEW ZEALAND ORANGES

DISAPPOINTING SEASON FOR GROWERS CROPS LIGHTER THAN LAST YEAR [THE PBESS Special Service.] AUCKLAND, December 27. The orange season at Kerikeri, Bay of Islands, now practically over, was rather disappointing for growers. Both orange and lemon crops were lighter than last year, and quality slightly inferior, according to Mr L. Paynter, senior orchard inspector, who has oust returned to Auckland from a tour of North Auckland. Unusual weather through the year was the cause of the lighter crop. The cyclone of last February began the trouble, doing great damage to trees and young fruit. Throughout the winter conditions were unfavourable. There were severe frosts, and several reports have been given of frosts in places which have previously been regarded as immune. Another set-back for the citrus crop was the excessive rain, which lasted well into November. Oranges want sunshine, and this summer the sun came out too late for them. Of the experiments v/ith valencias Mr Paynter had very little to say. This late variety of orange was cropped for the first time in any numbers this year, and varying reports of its success have been in circulation. Samples appearing on the Auckland market have not been up to the standard of the earlier navels.

"Growers are looking forward hopefully to next season," said Mr Payn* ter. "The young fruit has set well, and if the weather, as they hope, makes amends for the last year, a bigger crop of better-quality oranges and lemons should result. "The extension in plantings which has been going on at Kerikeri seems likely to continue, and as the trees grow older, and the growers learn by experience, quality will improve. There is no doubt that they can grow

good oranges, as well as lemons, in the far north. "One thing which will have to be watched is the red-scale infection, which has appeared in a number of Orchards. Consistent seasonal spraying is necessary for its control. "A favourable sign at Kerikeri was the improvement in methods and more regular pruning and spraying in a number of cases where former absentee owners had come to live on their sections."