FROST IN HASTINGS AREA

Dominion, Volume 31, Issue 2, 28 September 1937, Page 13

FROST IN HASTINGS AREA

Damage Done To Exposed

Orchanls

Dominion Special Service. Hastings, September 27. A frost of seven and a half degrees was recorded this morning following a very cold night and gave orchardists in Hastings and the surrounding district much anxiety. Although some damage is reported it is believed to be comparatively light Mr. N. J. Adamson, the Government orchard instructor at Hastings, said that a certain amount of damage had been caused,, particularly to Japanese and other early blossoming varieties of plums. The damage was mainly in the most exposed areas to the east and south of Hastings, but where fires had been lit good saves had been made. There was quite a bit of damage done to early varieties of plume and also to nectarines in exposed areas, but for all that Mr. Adamson anticipated that there would be a moderate crop obtained from these trees. The effect of the frost would be more pronounced on these trees than on peaches, and any further damage would reduce the crop very considerably and possibly make it unpayable. Where growers had their fires going they made good saves, the greater part of the damage as far as could be ascertained being done in those orchards where the trees were exposed and no fires lit.

For the most part, however, there is no cause for alarm at present, as there has been a very heavy setting of blossom this season on the trees and the effect of the frosts to date amounts only to a rather severe thinning. Still, there will not need to be many more heavy frosts if growers are to enjoy their anticipated bountiful season.