THE FRUIT CROP

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 69, 14 December 1917, Page 10

THE FRUIT CROP

IN THE FAR NORTH. The fruit crop prospects in the Auckland Province, according to the Agricultural Department inspectors, aro as under:— ' North Auckland—Apples: Average promise all round. Lemons: Good averago set. Nectarines: Light. Peaches: Early varieties light; mid-season and late, average. Pear?: Light to medium all round. Plums: Light. Plums (Japanoso): Medium to light. Staybernes: Heavy crop; full supply maintained, with good promise long season. • Oranges: "Poor Man," heavy sec; sweet, average sot. Slight infection has occurred from "brown rot" uf peach and nectarine. Sour sap has claimed, many victims throughout the district, shelter trees also having died out. Strawberries aro having ,a good season, and promiso to last well into the new year. Waiteraata—Apples: Early and midReason varieties, medium; la to- varieties, dropping; promise now only averago crop. Lemons: Average sot all round. Nectarines: Light. Peaches:Dropping rather badly, with the exception few late and mid-season varic-. ties. Only light to aveTagc crop expected. Plums: Light. Plums (Japanese) : Average. Pears: Early and midseason varieties, light; late, average. Strawberries: Heavy supply maintained ; every prospect good supply. Tomatoes: Young plants looking well. , Oranges: "Poor Man," heavy set. There has been considerable loss to j growers throughout the district from "'sour sap" claiming both young trees and' also aged and full-bearing trees. Hardly an orchardist lias escaped without some loss from this diseaso this season, following such abnormally wet winter and summer seasons, -i Auckland South.—Pip and stone fruits: No change since last jnonth. Nectarines are now being marketed, being fully a fortnight earlier than , usual, "sour sap" lias affected a num* ber of trees in the Thames district. . • ' "Waikato.—Apples: Many varieties have not set up to expectations. Apricots : Very fair crop. Cherries: Now being gathered. Gooseberries: Have been picking well; prices good. Lemons:- Looking exceptionally well. Nectarines: Crops will only be medium Peaches: Fair. Pears: Good average crop; planty of "black spot" showing. Plums: Crops fair to medium. Plums (Japanese): Heavy crop in some parts. Strawberries: Very good; picking well. Tomatoes: Crop looking well, no blight showing. Walnuts: Showing improve- • ment.