FRUIT PROSPECTS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXIII, Issue 22540, 3 October 1936, Page 14

FRUIT PROSPECTS

SUPPLIES FOE CITY STATE OF CITRUS TREES POSSIBLE LEMON SHORTAGE While hard and stone fruit trees in the districts supplying the Auckland market give promise of good crops this year, citrus trees are in poor condition and there is a possibility of a shortage of local lemons for at least the next three months. A smaller planting of strawberries than is usual has established well, and hothouse tomato plants are reported to be in normal condition. The general disabilities caused by the severe storm last February have been in some measure corrected by replanting, in which there has been a disposition to substitute stone for pip fruits. Orchard work with hard fruits is reported to be well up to date, and the trees are looking remarkably well. There has been little or no extension of planting this season, but a large number of trees have been worked over to other varieties. Delicious apple trees, in particular, have been cut down and reworked with such varieties as Ballarat, Statesman, Granny Smith and j Giant Jinniten. ; A Large Crop Likely Profuse blooming lias been evident i among the stone fruits, and the flower- j ing season for most varieties lias now ; passed. Given satisfactory climatic ! conditions, there should be a part.icu- , larly large crop. .Rather more planting j has taken place this year, especially j of Wiggins and Paragon peaches. Some j of this has comprised the replacement j of apple orchards, but, even so, more | has been done than in an average sea- j son. Trees in citrus orchards are in an unsatisfactory condition, the majority being by no means thrifty and comparing unfavourably with their appearance in other seasons at this period. This i can be attributed in 110 small measure j to the prevailing gales of last summer and more specifically to the severe frosts of the winter. Many lemon trees are practically devoid of iruit at the moment. Oranges have not been affected to the same extent, for they are more hardy, but they are below the usual standard for the time of the year. . . Average plantings of citrus fruits have taken place, there being a disposition to plant fewer lemons and a greater number of oranges, the grapefruit and poorman varieties being particularly favoured. Planters also have been giving greater attention to sweet oranges of the pineapple and Lou Jin Gong varieties. Plantings of Strawberries About three-quarters of the normal plantings of strawberries have been made, the growers' choice being fairly evenly divraed between Captain Cooks and Marguerites. The plants have established well and are looking a little forward for the time of the year. Present indications are that the fruit will be available from October 25 onward to the second'week in January, with the peak period during the last three weeks of December, Mortality among the plants is again becoming evident, but the loss so far this season is rather less than last year. It is apparent, however, that cultural methods and experiments have not yet been successful in eliminating the root rot trouble which has been so devastating during the past 10 years. More Hothouse Tomatoes Numerous new glasshouses have been built during the past season so that 15 per cent to 20 per cent more hotbouse tomato plants are under cultivation than is usual. The plants are in normal condition and fruit should be available from the end of October until the end of January. Planting of outdoor tomatoes is now taking place at Otahuhu and Mangere in about normal quantities for the , early crop. A slightly larger number of growers than usual is providing plants : for the later orthodox main crops, this being partly accounted for by the in- ' creasing demands from preserving factories. In the past, supplies of grapes have come mainly from To Kauwhata, but in recent years considerable planting has taken place at Oratia, Henderson and Swanson. In this respect a good ! deal of extension lias taken place dur- ' ing the season just concluded.