THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1318, 22 December 1911, Page 8

THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

: position op the Auckland cßops Growers, salesmen, and consumers' of . slrawberrcs hnvo all been pleased that the finality of 'the crops . this .season, . though not so lino as it might hnvo own' is yet better than was expected. The .Yield, according to the Auckland "Ilernlcl," 'has-been lighter than it was last year, but there ate moro growers, and the quantity sold has been about the same n?,it WM last season. The averago ritian-' . tat.v of berne, sold weekly has.been about .60,000 bosiis. The prices obtained have been good. Fluctuating in response, to ■variable demand arid quality, they have . tanged latterly; from 7d. to lOd; per box ■ this rate being a little higher than last years ruling prices. There has been a very good though not largo demand from "Wellington, mm fair quantities liavo'bccn .. sent south, where 1 excellent prices have been obtained. Ths returns for last ■week showed that tho wholesale prico was Is. ad. to Is. Bd. per box. The growers ; have to pay 3s. 3d. per case of 1G boxo'- ■ or nearly 3d. per lb,,to.rail,strawberries ' to Wellington by the express trains; but bnlv 3d. .per case to send them by goods train. The difference would seem la justify tho railing of all the .southern consignments by goods train; but the trip is 'so lonfr .that tho fruit is usually very tfiuch spoilt on tho woyJ■■•"