THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 17981, 5 January 1922, Page 4

THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

CROP ALMOST EXHAUSTED. GROWERS' DISABILITIES. The season for strawberry growers ij now almost at an end, as it U estimated that the remainder of tha crop will be marfcoted within the next week or tea days. Generally the season has been a d* appointing one from the growers' point oi view, chiefly on account of tho fact that prices for this fruit havo been low, while the costs incidental to tho successful production of tirßt-class berries have been unusually high. These costs includa spraying materials, manures, and labour, which have made a heavy draiD on the growers' resources, snd tho general nnau. cial depression, having caused consumer* to buy Bomewhat carefully, has prevented the growers from semiring a return commensurate with their outlay. Also railitating against the grower were the pooP prices realised on the Wellington market* as compared with previous years. Ab a rule Wellington has been a good market for Auckland berries, the prices there in earlier seasons having been in excess of those ruling on the Auckland market. This has made it worth while railing the fruit to the Southern city, ali the same time relieving the local market of any surplus quantities. This season, however, the position has been that nine out of ten consignments have realised lower prices in Wellington than Auckland dealers have been willing to pay. It must be admitted, on the othof hand, that, in some cases, the fruit shippaj south has not been suitable to stand tho long journey, being too ripe and not particularly well handled. What is wanted for the southern markets is a finnor berry, and growers, if they desire to encourage and develop these markets, should make an effort to secure a variety with a finer flavour, and better carrying and keeping qualities. Much of the disappointment ocoajsionea by the experience of marketing in the south is, no doubt, due to the changing and unsatisfactory climatic conditions p«* vailing throughout tho season just closing, Earlier in tho season the position looked promising, but just when the crop was showing signs of justifying expectation* variable weather conditions intervened! causing growers considerable anxiety. A period of dry, cold weather, followed by a prolonged wet spell, made the production of first-class berries a very difficult matter. This season growm have also bad to contend with a leaf blight, which mad* its appearance about the middle of tie .season. This pes-, although not unknown to local growers, attacked the plants in a severe form, and where it was very pronounced tho crop suffered considerably. The number of growers and the quantities of plants put in this Eeason have been about the same as in previous yearfc The crop is now rapidly falling 0ff,,804; as a result of the conditions with wnich the plants have had to contend, thelm* is much softer than is usually the case at this time of the year, causing it h '*'• ment and go mouldy. Prices are 06* easing off, in keeping with the experience of former years,_ the demand usually slackening following the heavier holiday requirements.