ORCHARD CROPS

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LVI, 10 April 1922, Page 4

ORCHARD CROPS

INSPECTORS’ REPORTS

The director of the horticulture division’ of the Department of Agriculture has received the following reports from his officers'regarding, orchard and maketing conditions at tho cud of.Marph,-1922:— i t Kelson Contrail —Apples: Indications point to an early conclusion of irmtnicking this season, in most orchards [only Stunner, Dougherty, Washington' Rome Beauty, remaining, brimmers have been pretty largely drawn on for the export trade latterly, as tins variety matured early this year. Statesman is now picking. This apple is doing well and cropping very consistently in this locality, the fruit hoiug vogufor in shape tUid. clean and bright in most cases. A rather severe liaiTstxn’in struck some orchards on the 25th inst., though some of the I apples were dented, the damage was not great Poarsi: Winter Coles are now gathered, the crop-jn most instances being light to- medium. Winter Nelis, P. Barrv, and Keiffer’s Hybrid are still picking, the latter being fairly plentiful, but otliers only a light crop. Motueka. —Apples: All! being picked and marketed. Largo quantities, other than export, being placed in cool store. Quantity on the whole very good. Delicious, small crop, and tarn amount of black' spot. Hailstorm towards cud of month did! some damage to Stunners in certain parts of district Pears: Late attack black spot affecting some varieties. Large quantities being stored. Pew hundred halt eases exported this season. Only medium crop late varieties, but' quality good. Marlborough—Apples; Below average Apricots, cherries, gooseberries, nectarines, peaches, plums, over. Pears: Good average. lomatoes: Good average crop. Walnuts: Below average. The month has agahr been exceptionally dull and cloudy with Sequent rain and snb-nonnal tenipeiatnres. The. maturing of the fruit crop Inu: been markedly retarded, and the colour attained is very much below the usual Marlborough standard.