THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18234, 30 October 1922, Page 6

THE STRAWBERRY SEASON.

HEAVY YIELD EXPECTED. CHOPS BENEFIT BY RAINS. There is every prospect of a heavy crop of strawberries this season. The berries are coming an to the market nearly three weeks earlier than usual. About 200 crates were sold on Saturday at the city markets,, the prices ranging from Is to 23 3d per chip. Old-bed berries brought from Is to Is 4d, the bulk of the new berries ranging from la 6d to 2s per chip. The aSea planted in strawberries this season is said to be' quite equal to that of previous seasons, and the mild winter experienced enabled a larger number of doubtful plants than usual to come into bearing. Early in the season rain was badly wanted and it came just in time lo sava many of the beds from perishing. The- downpour on Saturday night and yesterday morning is expected to prove oxtremely beneficial to the crops, and large consignments of berries should reach the market this week.

A few,crates of strawberries have been sent South this season, but efforts to induce the railway authorities to make special arrangements for the carriage of the berries have not yet proved successful. Last season the strawberries for the South were paid for at parcels rates, and only a limited quantity could be taken. This charge is equal to 3s a crate, or rather more than 2d a pound, which, with auctioneers'.charges added, makes strawberries rather an expensive luxury in the Southern centres.