THE FRUIT CROP

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23341, 5 November 1937, Page 10

THE FRUIT CROP

LITTLE DAMAGE BY FROST GOOD YIELD ANTICIPATED (Special to Daily Times) ROXBURGH, Nov. 4. A careful survey of the stone fruit crop reveals a satisfactory position generally, and it is anticipated that, including apricots, there will be fully a 75 per cent. crop. With the exception of apricots, all stone fruit is heavy, particularly peaches. The frost on the morning of September 29 did a certain amount of damage to apricots in some localities, but, with a few exceptions, notably in the Roxburgh Red variety, the marketable crop was not appreciably reduced and thinning was necessary. Most of the apricot growers, indeed, are well satisfied with their crops, though a month ago some believed they had suffered loss. While growers of the Roxburgh Red variety are not very optimistic concerning the final yield, dropping right up to harvest time being characteristic of this variety if they survive a frost, the general experience' is that the fruit at present is looking remarkably well and forward, and the harvested crop may be larger than is now anticipated. In the apple areas of Dumbarton and Ettrick there is a feeling that damage has resulted from frost, particularly at Ettrick. In the Dumbarton district evidence of damage is confined to one orchard, and, while a certain amount of shedding is expected in other orchards, it is not anticipated that it will be any more serious than in a normal year. In fact, but for the various reports of frost damage, no notice would be taken of it.

The position at Ettrick is somewhat different, but it is too soon to make a definite statement as to this district.