APPLE PROSPECTS FOR 1916

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume XLIX, Issue XLIX, 4 January 1916, Page 8

APPLE PROSPECTS FOR 1916

XEW ZEALAND'S CHANCE. "ToNDOX, Nov. 19. ' New Zealand apple growers will read with interest what. Mr Maurice Low.?, of Mesrs Nothard and Lowe, has to say on the apple crocs of Canada and tho States, says the London correspondent of the '•Post." He has just made an extensive tour of the American continent, a>'d in his opinion crops are most discouraging. "To sum up the situation."' states Mr Lowe, "exports of apples from, the American Continent will be light, and high prices must rule. It looks as if very little fruit will find its way to England after December. Early in. the New Year there must be a marked shortage, and by the end of February supplies of apples from that .part of the world will be nearly finished."

Nova Scotia usually provides large quantifies of cheap apples, but there the yield has fallen much below the original estimate. At first- it was thought that two and a half million barrels would be packed, but owing to heavy' rains and gales, which did much damage to the fruit in the growing season, it is improbable that the quantity available will exceed 600.000 barrels. The quality is generally poor, and it is anticipated that 30 per cent, of the bulk shipped here will consist of the third selection. Late -varieties are scarce, especially the Ben Nevis and Nonpareil. Ontario will have many apples for export, as the North West-ern district is likely to absorb the greater part- of its crop. The grain harvest being excellent, the .people will have plenty of m-criey to spend on apples. In the Yakima Valley also there is a scarcity of fruit, and the small proportion available for shipment must perforce be consigned early, because of the lack of cool chamber transit from New York. Later, the fruit cannot, stand the journey in the ships' holds. The crop in Wenatchee is lighter than was expected. Two causes are accountable for the diminution —fruit pests and a severe hailstorm that swept the district.