CANTERBURY FRUIT EXPORT

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXII, Issue 36, 26 January 1932, Page 9

CANTERBURY FRUIT EXPORT

A MUCH REDUCED YIELD. LATE FROSTS AND DRY WEATHER Prospects for the export of fruit from Canterbury this season do not make very cheerful reading. It is estimated that the total will be somewhere between 5000 and 10,000 cases, as compared with the record total of 30,000 cases last season. Late frosts and the hailstorm on January 1, coupled with the dry weather, have reduced the crops very considerably, particularly in the Papanui and Lobum districts, where the bulk of the fruit for export is grown. The orchards in the Papanui and Styx districts suffered most through the November frosts, but in Loburn a lot of fruit was destroyed by the hail All the hail-marked fruit has been thinned, and though the remaining fruit win have a chance of growing to a good size, the yield fi;om each tree will be small. One of tho biggest troubles, however, is that the trees bearing the Delicious and Jonatnan apples, the two principal export varieties, did not dower well tnis season, Mr B. G. Goodwin, Orchard Instructor for the Department of Agriculture at Christchurc.u, told a “Sun” reporter. The reason for this is thought to be that the trees, after bearing heavily the previous season, and receiving a check through the cold, did not have sufficient time in which to recover, particularly as the’ heavy crop hau taken so much out of them. This state of affairs has been common throughout Canterbury. There will be plenty of Stunners available, but not many of these are exported. The dryness of the season, combined with more rigoious spraying, has re duced damage by orchard pests and <n. eases. The most common pest this year has been the red mite, which has bred rapidly under the dry conditions. This insect attaches itself to the leaves an draws out the sap, thereby weakening the trees. Black spot has been less in evidence, chiefly because the lack of moisture has prevented the growth of the fungus that causes this disease. Indications earlier in the season wcie that the crops would be late, but the warm weather has hastened them forward and they should bo ready about the usual time. Quality and colour should be good. It is not considered that prices this season on the Home market will be as high as they were last year. In the United Kingdom ieasonably good prices were obtained, but a lot of the consignments sent to Germany sold at very low figures and these reduced tho average return for the season.

GRASS SEED MARKET AN ACTIVE DEMAND. The demand during last week was very active for grass seed, a large number of sales being made at increased prices. The market had been very hesitant up till then, as outside brokers had. not been able to make sales. Hut immediately the “ice was broken,” substantial orders arrived from various sources. This was responsible for keen competition for selected lines, which appreciated in prices from ten to twenty per cent. Sales of “mother seed,” which will not lose overmuch in the dressing process, have been made as high as 11/6, but all lines have showed a sharp advance. , . The harvest of rye-grass seed has again been one of tho most profitable returns for farmers on the Heretaunga Plains. LARGE SHEEP ENTRY NEXT STORTFORD LODGE SALE. On. Wednesday next at Stortford Lodge a large number of store sheep will bo offered. Included in the entry are several lines of breeding ewes from well-known stations, and judging by , the competition at last, week’s sale, this class of stock should meet with I brisk competition.