HEAVY LOSSES

Otago Daily Times, Issue 27254, 3 December 1949, Page 6

HEAVY LOSSES

' CENTRAL OTAGO FRUIT CROPS

NOVEMBER FROST

As a result of the heavy frosts experienced in Central Otago in November, fruitgrowers are facing a loss of approximately half their farops. It was thought at the time that\.the losses would be heavy, but an accurate estimate was not possible until 'the growth, or otherwise, of the fruit became more apparent.

In the Roxburgh and Ettrick <?ist tricts, apples were most seriously af:f fected, some orchardists having already written off 90 per cent, of th e ir ; expected crop. Others were more fortunate, but the average loss is estimated at 75 per cent. Stone fruit fared little better especially those crops outside the areas Even within the area, however, losses have been heavy, and the supplies available at Christmas will be much less than last year. Late peaches have been almost completely de. jfcroyed, and the only varieties that ~y. "»an be expected on the market are j those which were grown early. Only .‘ so per cent, of the apricots are likely \o survive, as many are still falling' y -?lums and cherries have also beeri ' ieavily hit, although the latter fruit! >eing nearer maturity, escaped most ightly of all. > <•- The season appeared quite promirf fng at the end of October, and even, jfter the frost orchardists were less worried than they are now. Many bave been doubly hit, for after the • heavy expenditure on frost-fighting made earlier in the year, there is every ' prospect of an extremely light return. The main hope of the growers is that a the prices realised will be sufficient *>■ to carry them over till next season.