THE STRAWBERRY CROP.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LIX, Issue 18247, 14 November 1922, Page 6

THE STRAWBERRY CROP.

EFFECT OF BAD WEATHER. CURTAILMENT OP SUPPLIES. The boisterous weather of the past fortnight has had the effect of limiting to a considerable extent the supply of strawberries coming to the Auckland market from the beds at the North Shore. The wet and cold has caused the plants to become dormant, and growth has been generally retarded. Extensive rotting of fruit on the beds has occurred, and on the whole the benefit of the early season's start has been lost.

Supplies have not increased daring the past fortnight as would have been the case had the previous fine weather continued. It is estimated that continuous Ime weather would Have resulted in an output three or four times as greaf. as the limited quantities coming in now. Larger supplies, in fact, were reaching the Auckland market 10 days ago than those received yesterday, which was the shortest day, from the point of view of supplies, experienced since the season actually commenced. This is accounted for by the fact that picking was a very difficult operation during the week-end owing to the stormy conditions. In spite of the advene conditions affecting the fruit, berries of excellent quality are appearing in the shops. Prices have been well maintained as a result of the limitation of supplies.