FRUIT CROPS

Press, Volume LXXXVII, Issue 26617, 31 December 1951, Page 3

FRUIT CROPS

INCREASE EXPECTED IN APPLE HARVEST SURVEY BY DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE "The Press” Special Service WELLINGTON, Dec. 29. The Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture predicts a better-than-average apple harvest in New Zealand this summer. Pear and stone fruit crops, however, will be lighter than last year, according to the department’s survey. The apple crop is expected to exceed the average for the last six seasons by 13 per cent, and last year’s figure by 4 per cent. The pear harvest will be slightly more than the six-year average, but 27 per cent, less than the record crons of last season. Cherry production is expected to be greater. There will be a reduced harvest of apricots, peaches, and plums, but above-average crops of small fruits

except strawberries, which are likely to be down about 10 per cent. The department says that though these figures should give a reasonably reliable picture of prospects, the weather could still influence both yield and quality. The following is a summary of prospects for the major varieties of fruit: Apples.—A harvest of 3,082,000 bushels in prospect this season would be 128,000 bushels more than last season and 368,000 bushels more than the gix-year average. Apple variety estimates showing a noticeable increase on last year’s production are: Ballarat, 45,000 bushels; Dougherty, 20,000; Golden Delicious, 14,000; Granny Smith, 30,000. The principal decreases in estimates are: Jonathan, 28,000 bushels; Sturmer, 31,000. Pears.—The estimate of 382,000 bushels for the coming season is a reduction of 143,000 bushels on last season’s record crop of 525,000 bushels. The prospective crop is still 5000 bushels above the six-yearly average. Quinces. —A 10 per cent, increase in the crop is predicted. The Dominion estimate is 28,900 bushels. Fewer Peaches, Apricots, Plums Apricots.—A lighter crop is expected both from main producing districts of Central Otago and from Hawke’s Bay. The estimate of 157,000 bushels is 15 per cent, less than last year’s production Cherries.—A 10 per cent, increase on

production is indicated in an estimate « of 20,800 bushels. Nectarines. —The estimate of 44,000 bushels is 3500 bushels more than last year’s production. The increase is mainly in the Nelson district. Peaches. —Practically all district ex- ( pect a reduced crop. The Dominion total of 391,000 bushels, compared with a production of 456,000 bushels last , season, represents a decrease of 14 per cent. Plums. —Both Japanese and Euro- ( pean plums show the greatest reduction of all stone fruit estimates. The expected total crop of 102,000 bushels would be 37 per cent, below production for last season. Small fruit.—The total estimate for all varieties of small fruits is about 100 tons down on last season’s production. There will be more boysenberries and gooseberries, but less black currants, raspberries and strawberries. Walnuts.—The estimate of 188 tons of walnuts is about 30 tons above the production last season.