HAWKES BAY FRUIT CROPS

North Otago Times, Volume C, Issue 13181, 9 October 1914, Page 4

HAWKES BAY FRUIT CROPS

SEVERELY DAMAGED BY FROST. (Per Press Association), - HASTINGS, Oct. 8. Sufficient time has now passed since last week's frosts to enable a correct estimation to be made of the actual damage to stone fruits in the district.

The orchards on tho plain suffered most, the greatest damage occurring to late peaches, Japanese plums, apricots, and nectarines. It is authoritatively stated that orclianlists who failed, to light tires have lost more than half their crops and that peaches iu orchards where fires were lighted did not suffer td any appreciable extent. Iu all orchards early peaches are said to have escaped damage. Had the frost occurred a week later much more damage would havo been done. The apples and pear crops are only slightly damaged.

Contrary to expectations, orchards on the Havelock hills, always considered to be outside the frost area, were touched by last week's frost, but the damage will cause no financial loss. At Clive and Pakiwhai the frost has merely saved orehardisls the trouble of shinning their crops, The frost also .if''ccted Waipawa and- Dannovirkc orchards, where peaches'and apricots siiffereil very sliglilly on llifl liillfl. On tho Hats, however, it is slated that nectarines and apricots have been practically wiped out,, It, is slated Hint the orchai'ds on (he iiills and at Waipawa nri carrying exceptionally heavy crops.