POOR STRAWBERRIES.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1276, 3 November 1911, Page 3

POOR STRAWBERRIES.

IBr TelceraDh.—Soccial CorreSDondent.l Auckland, November 2. The supply of strawberries to the Auckland market lias so. far compared very unfavourably with that of last year, the berries being generally of inferior quality, and the quantity small. Tho long spell of dry weather during the winter and early spring, followed by the heavy rain and occasional hailstorms of the. past few weeks, have Jiad an injurious effect on the beds, which, for the most part, have been planted since last season. Tho dry spell had tho effect of checking the growth of the plants, and tho rain and hail merely worked havoc among thoso berries which made an early appearance. Thus tho present season is at least a fortnight behind time, as ig shown by tho fact that the Waiteinata Fruitgrowers' Association handled 24 cases yesterday, as against 100 cases on tho same day last year. Tho prices realised were from 7Jd. to Is. Gd., but tho quality was very "uneven, the bottom-price fruit being scarcely fit lor jam. Last year there was little variation, prices being from lHd. to Is. 3d. At tho present time the growers feel tho need of more sunshine, and, given that, tho prospects of tho season are moderately hopeful. Tho area under strawberries has increased some 15 per cent, since last season, and there is a reasonable prospect of weather such as will bring tho belated crop on. It should bo remembered that tho 11)10 season was easily tho best experienced for about seven years past, and was, in every way, exceptional. It is considered that supplies arc likely to be fairly short for some time ahead but it is not anticipated that prices wili bo high. Tho growers have secured a special car on the fast goods train for Wellington twico a wt-ek, and expect to send a proportion of their fruit-south in caso of a glut locally.