TASMANIAN FRUIT CROP.

Evening Post, Volume CXIII, Issue 54, 5 March 1927, Page 11

TASMANIAN FRUIT CROP.

In his report'on'the Tasmahian fruit; crop of tin's season, the deputy statistician, of that Slate (Mr. L. F. Giblin) describes the crop ns being-light to medium gn the average, but very variable eveu within the limits of a single orchard. Following the heavy crop of last year, a light bearing was to be expected, but" a few of the orchardists who a year ago lost their fruit from frost and other causes report a record yield. Taking the January reports as a basis, Mr. Giblin places the probable export surplus of apples of Tasmania this season at 2,500,000. bushels. Unless any; serious damage .occurred to the crops, before harvesting he regards that estimate to be conservative.' The total crop he puts down at 2,900,000 bushels. The quantity that may be shipped beyond Australia this season is difficult to forecast, but he is of opinion that it will be about 1,000,000 bushels, compared with 2,115,000. bushels for 1926. The reason for this reduction is that, owing to the shortage of the Australian crop, increased supplies. o£ Tasmanian apples will be needed on" the mainland. In addition, the Ip\y prices obtained for apples in England last season may be regarded as a factor to influence larger supplies being held for home- consumption. . ■■■•—■