SUPPLY OP APPLES

Press, Volume LXXIX, Issue 23883, 27 February 1943, Page 4

SUPPLY OP APPLES

* STATEMENT BY ORCHARD INSTRUCTOR "In some of the most forward areas commercial growers will be picking Cox's Orange apples early next week, and in the following week picking of this variety will be general,” said Mr A. R. Grainger, orchard instructor in the Department of Agriculture, Christchurch. in a statement to “The Press” yesterday. To satisfy the demand for cooking apples, he would advise growers to pick the larger sizes of Lord Wolseley, but where the fruit was small it was too immature for harvesting at this time. Growers should aim at picking 125's and larger, but there was always a small percentage of smaller sizes which came off with the larger fruit, and these would be acceptable, “There arc indications that some of the mid-season varieties, such as Jonathan and Delicious, will be maturing early this season.” he added. “The bulk of the pear crop comprises Winter Coles, but these will not be ready until the end of March. In the meantime there will be small quantities of Duchess, Marie Louise. Bishop’s Thumb, and Capiaumont coming forward during the next few weeks. "Much has been said concerning the lowering of the grade for this season. This is mainly along the lines of allowing more black spot and russet and requiring less colour in commercial grade. There arc only two grades of apples and pears being marketed under war conditions. These are fancy and commercial. The former this season should be first-class fruit.”