FRUIT CROP

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LIV, Issue LIV, 20 August 1920, Page 5

FRUIT CROP

GOVERNMENT INSPECTORS’ REPORTS

The director of the horticulture division of the Department of Agriculture has received the following reports from Ins officers regarding the conditions or the fruit crops at the end of July Auckland South. —Every indication of very early spring. Some plums in bloom already. House tomatoes looking well. Outdoor now being planted in favourable spots. Poverty Bay and Hawke’s Bay. Poorinanoranges and lemons are now being harvested representing a good average crop. Early flowering varieties of almond and apricot indicate that the season, is about two weeks earlier than the average.

Wanganui.—Pruning and spraying of all fruits is in full swing. Cherry plums and primus pisardi in full bloom in some parts of tile district. Burbanks bursting into bloom. There is every prospect of an early spring. Palmerston North. —There is every indication for an early spring. Cherry plum trees in well sheltered parts are shewing almost full flower. Young showing fair growth. Marlborough.—A spell of exceptionally mild went her in the earlier part of the month caused buds to show a. moving tendency, but a change to frosty conditions fortunately checked this before any damage had been done. Nelson.—-The buds on some stone fruit sections are beginning to swell. Very little planting is being done. Motueku.—Fruit bud development promises lighter crop than last season, but rather early to predict yet. Gisborne. —Apples; bruit buds promise good crop. Apricots : Too early \ to anticipate crop. Cherries: bruit buds well developed. .Gooseberries: Bushes in good condition. Lemons ; Balance of crop still being harvested. Nectarines: Fair crop promised. Peaches: Trees should produce goo*! crops under normal conditions. Pears : | Heavy crops if blossom sets. Plums: j Cherry plums making good show of j bloom in sheltorcdsitnations. Plums .. (Japanese). Abundant blossom commencing to open. Raspberries: bair growth of canes last season. Strawberries : Planting being largely extended. Tomatoes: Planting out under glass in progress. Walnuts : Frees apparently doing well. | Christchurch .-—All trees appear to; be budding very freely and looking as, though a good crop.may ho expected. I Too early to estimate Giving to danger, from late frosts. Peaches and plums j showing signs of colour as result of nor’-wester. Otago.—Apples: Too early yet to venture an opinion. Not likely to be heavy as good crops were secured last season. Cherries and apricots: Appeared to bo well furnished with fruiting wood. Nectarines : Well furnished with o-ood fruiting wood. Poaches; Lookino- well for coming season. Pears •‘Too earlv yet to anticipate. Strawberries; Plants now beginning to show movement. .The area has been largely increased this year .