STRAWBERRY SEASON

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXX, Issue 21639, 3 November 1933, Page 10

STRAWBERRY SEASON

FRUIT WELL ADVANCED WEATHER ASSISTS GROWTH MILD CONDITIONS WELCOME Mild weather in the spring and late winter has been ideal for strawberry crops in the Auckland district, and the fruit is unusually well advanced for this time of the year. A few strawberries have been available on the local market since the beginning ol October, and considerable quantities are now coining in daily. The number of plants cultivated this year is estimated to be 3,500,000, which is approximately the same last year, but it is difficult to make an accurate estimate, as some growers propagate their own plants. It is doubtful if the number of plants that reach maturity will be as great as last year, as a disease that is believed to be some form of the root rot that attacks plants every year has been exceptionally prevalent this year, especially in the Xorthcote district. The disease attacks the plants, and not the fruit, however, and a member of a city auctioneering firm said yesterday that the quality of the fruit reaching the market would bo as high as in previous years. In many places, indeed, the berries are in splendid condition. Blight and rust have been kept well in cheek where the beds have been systematically sprayed. Very few old or two-year beds are successful nowadays because of the prevalence of pests, and the majority of the beds this year are new. The greatest number of beds are probably at Birkdale, although they are numerous at Mount Koskill, Avondale South, Glenfield, Northcoto and as far north as Albany. The Marguerite variety is still the most cultivated, but Captain Cooks are becoming increasingly popular, and tlio demand exceeds the supply. Helenslep, Surprise are being successfully cultivated by somo growers. The ruling prices are somewhat below those of last year, because the berries are more advanced, but strawberries are such an uncertain crop, and depend so largely on the vagaries of the weather that it is difficult to predict the state of the market later in the season. Pickers in many cases are now being kept busy from about 0.30 a.m. until noon.