OUR FRUIT CROP

New Zealand Mail, 22 January 1902, Page 51

OUR FRUIT CROP

The Department of Agriculture has issued a leaflet which gives January reports on the fruit crop. The following are extracts from the leaflet:—Whangarei (Fruitgrowers’ Association) Drought broken up, and' we have had fine rains during the month. All trees growing well. Leech later than usual; bronze beetle very bad> little codlin-inoth yet. Matakana (Fruitgrowers’ Association)— We have not had good weather for fruit, as wo have had a lot of strong wind fioni the west, but it has not done the damage one would expect. So far we are very free from insect pests, and fungus has not been bad. Waikumete (Fruitgrowers’ Association) —The blackbird ana thrush are very bad on fruit this season. Cherry plums are a very heavy crop, and fine fruit. Trees are very healthy about here. Birkenhead (Fruitgrowers’ Association)— There are indications that the fruit crops will be fair this season; but owing to the strong winds and cold nights, the strawberries have not come up to the average. Waikato (Fruitgrowers' Association) — Owing to the dry season, aphis blight is very prevalent. Silver blight is killing many trees. Brown beetles are very dej structive; extent of damage cannot be es-> j timated yet. Trees looking well generj ally. Blenheim (Horticultural Society)— i Long spell dry weather, with occasional heavy winds and cold nights, had detrimental effect upon orchards. Christchurch (Horticultural Society) Red spider making its appearance on the apple trees. Leech also upon plums, cherries, etc. AVaimate, South Canterbury (Horticultural Society) —The strawberries have? been badly spoilt by the late rains, but other fruits hav« been greatly improved bv the rain. Cur- • rants (black especially) attacked by borer Reaches looking better. Teviot (Teviot and Alexandra Fruitgrowers’ Association, Roxburgh)—All fruit looking well, but will be a week late owing to recent coldwet weather.