STRAWBERRY SEASON.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20366, 21 September 1929, Page 14

STRAWBERRY SEASON.

CROPS IN GOOD ORDER.

FAVOURABLE CONDITIONS.

LARGE YIELD OF FRUIT EXPECTED.

Present indications point to a plentiful yield of good quality strawberries in tho coming season, which will commence toward tho end of next month. Hie recent spring weather has been ideal for tho plants, which are well forward and thriving. Tho now beds are stated to bo further advanced than, in the corresponding period last year. This season there aro fewer old beds which, owing to the dry spell last autumn, aro not so woll forward as last year. The favourable conditions which prevailed in tho planting season in May and Juno last gave tho young plants a good start. Tho period of planting was stated by one grower to havo been tho best for 20 years.

It is estimated that about 3,500,000 plants are being cultivated this season in tho districts of Northcote, Birkdale, Glenfield and Avondale South. Tho largest beds aro at Birkdale, while smaller and scattered crops are grown at Glen Eden, Henderson and adjacent districts. The number of plants is smaller than last year, while the number of growers has slightly increased, tho area of the plots having been in somo cases reduced.

Tho cultivation of this variety of fruit necessitates a great deal of care and attention, fair dressings of manures having to bo applied. At present many of tho beds aro being mulched, while frequent sprayings to keep the dreaded red "spider" in check and to free tho plants from rust have to bo applied until the fruit is well formed. The common blight is not so prevalent this season, although there have been signs of the root disease in tho Northcote and Birkdale districts, which aro to somo extent susceptible to this disease.

A member of a city auctioneering firm, who inspected the beds this week, said yesterday thero was every prospect of a good season. The vagaries of the weather were tho principal factors in the industry, but given warm weather with occasional light showers, a prolific yield could bo expected. The varying climatic conditions prevented any forecast of prices. Last year tho prices realised for strawberries were the lowest obtained since the Great War. The low values were due to a greater yield of fruit in proportion to tho number of plants, and also to a surplus supply during part of the season. The demand for this class of fruit, he said, was not confined to Auckland, last year supplies being sent as far South as Wellington.