THE FRUIT CROP.

Evening Post, Volume LXXII, Issue 133, 3 December 1906, Page 7

THE FRUIT CROP.

.> PROSPECTS OF YIELDS. [BY TEtEGEIPH. — PItESS ASSOCIATION.} 'CHRIST-CHURCH, This Day. The Department of Agriculture (division of biology and horticulture) has received from tho Government Pomolofist for the .South Island a report on ruit crop prospects, of which the following is a summary :—: — The crop is extremely variable, and on the whole will not be so good as was promised by the appearances in the early spring. Apricots — The crop is in several districts very disappointing ; in others fair to satisfactory. The early anticipations -were for tho heaviest crop yet produced, as many young thrifty orchards were coming into bearing, but^several causes have contributed to reducing the yield. Birds have developed the practice of picking the flower buds just before the blooming period, and their propensity of picking off the fruit when just set, and about the size of small peas, has greatly increased. In some localities frosts caused damage. On tho whole the crop is light to medium. Cherries — The area, particularly of "oarly maturing sorts, has much increased. The crop is medium to heavy, of excellent quality. Peaches — Varieties which without proper cultural treatment fail to develop their blossom have a very light crop. Varieties which set freely have good promise. On the average the crop is medium to fairly satisfactory in promise of yield. Pearc — Some varieties have not set as well as promised, and othors which had apparently set well have dropped most of the fruit. Tho dropping is generally attributed to the effects of frost coon after' the blooming period. The crop of Williams and Bon Chretien will bo fair; other varieties very poor to moderate. _ Plums — Very irregular. Most varieties carried a profuse blossom, but have set in a very erratic manner, some varieties being overloaded, while others have no fruit. Barely a medium crop. Quinces — Crop medium to poor. Apples — The showing of blcoms was never better, and the conditions for setting wero on the whole favourable. Some varieties, however, set badly, while of others the crop is unusuallyheavy. Tho yield promises to bo good in the aggregate and^of excellent quality, but spraying forblack spot (apple, scab) is essential. Strawberries — This crop is not grown in large areas in a few districts as formerly, but in smaller aroas widely distributed. The crop generally is of gosd average yield and excellent quality. Raspberries — The promise is good in all districts. The area in the Nelson district Has been much reduced, while in the southern districts it has been much increased. Other small fruits;— -The crop generally is abundant.