LIGHTER FRUIT CROPS

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXXV, Issue 23148, 21 September 1938, Page 13

LIGHTER FRUIT CROPS

NEW HAWKE'S BAY SEASON : BIENNIAL BEARING TROUBLE [".BY TELKCRAPH- —OWN CORRESPONDENT] : ' HASTINGS, Tuesday Lighter fruit crops than those of last season, which were a record, are expected in Hawke's Bay during the coming season. Indications are that there will be a good pear crop and a light to medium apple crop for some varieties. Prospects for stone fruit crops appear quite promising, provided the frosts do ', not interfere. The Government orchard instructor, Mr. N. J. Adams'on', explained that lighter crops were expected during the coming season because of the severe frosts in 1936. As a result of the rest the trees had in-'the 1936 season, excessive budding and fruit setting followed last year. These conditions brought about biennial bearing, which was very difficult to break, except by heavy spin" pruning to minimise the crop.

Mr. Adamson added that a succession of favourable seasons was necessary to bring about regularity in the crop again, as the disparity between the on and off years should be gradually reduced. Where their crops were likelv to he light to medium growers could anticipate less expense in handling and there would not be the same amount of work involved in fruit thinning. The size of the fruit would compensate for the deficiency in the crop.