THE FRUIT CROP

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2564, 11 September 1915, Page 14

THE FRUIT CROP

REPORT FOR. AUGUST. Officers of the Horticulture Division report as follows regarding tlio condition of the fruit crop at tlio end of August:— Hastings.—The weather for tho month has hoen very fair for work in the orchard. In most instances this is well in hand. Many varieties of poacli and Japanese plums are in full bloom. Pears are breaking into bloom and. aro receiving a. fungicidal dressing for "black spot." A fair amount of planting has been carried out. This in most eases is completed. Altogether tho position in tho orchard line is very satisfactory. Wanganui.—The weatlier for tho month lias been warm and fine, affording every facility for comploting winter operations in the ochard. The wood on fruit trees is cloan and ripe, and after

the moderate crops of last season it should prove as rigorous and fruitful as it appears. Red spider has boon conspicuously prevalent, but it is getting attonded to effectively. Palmerston North.—All trees are now showing signs of lifo. Plums, peaches, nectarines, are blossoming heavily, and every indication of pip fruits doing tho same. Everything so far points to a successful crop this season. Wellington.—Apples showing a very fair crop of fruit buds, so also aro apricots and _ cherries. Gooseberries, good crop anticipated. Lemons, tho few grown look well. Poaches, small. Pears, many varieties out ill blossom and big crops expected. Plums (Japanese) out in bloom, look well. Strawberries, only a.' few. plants hero and there. Tomatoes, young plants in boxes look well; anticipate large planting this season. Oil spraying about over. Tho spraying for mildew and spot is about to begin.

Blenheim.—Spraying and pruning just about over, every prospect of a record crop of apples. Apricots, bursting into bloom, very good show of fruit. Cherries, buds swelling. Gooseberries, just bursting into leaf, nectarines and peaches, a few' early varieties full of every prospect of a heavy crop. Pears', showing plenty of nice plump . fruit-buds, a few early varieties bursting into bloom. Plums (Ja-

panese), in full blossom, good show for fruit. Tomatoes (under glass), commencing to blossom; mildew attacking plants rather badly.