FRUIT SUPPLIES

Otago Witness, Issue 3384, 22 January 1919, Page 17

FRUIT SUPPLIES

HOW DUNEDIN IS AFFECTED. A fair quantity of peaches has commenced to reach the market from Otago Central, and the local fruit business is beginning to brighten up as a result. The peaches that have arrived are of good quality, and the prospects are satisfactory for a good crop. Within the next fortnight the peach season -' should be in full swing, but it will not bo a long one. On the other hand, the apricot crop is not too good, a big proportion of the fruit having been ruined by the frosts. The apricot season will also be a short one. Reports from the North Island indicate that there will be but small supplies from there of poaches and plums, in consequence of the peaches being attacked by -rat spot and the plums by brown spot. The main tomato crop is still an uncertain quantity. Prices have ruled very high for hothouse grown. The outside grown, tomatoes will not be available for sometime* owing to the late season. The strawberry season, which is now draw* in# to a finish, has not been very successful* so far as the crop return is concerned. Prices have ruled very high right through the season. The high cost will probably prevent housewives making their usual quantity of strawberry jam this year. Supplies of apples continue short. Practically the last of the fruit out of Canterbury cool stores came to the local market last week. None have'been available from Australia, in consequence of the hold-up of shipping. It is questionable whether supplies of any quantitv can bo drawn'. thip year from the Papanui district, which is a 4 t important supplier to the local market, the * frosts ' having been very severe in that locality. In the Otago Central, however, crop prospects have considerably improved, and a fair return should come from this growing district. The Southland district should t>e able to provide substantial quantities, and the reports from Nelson are very favourable. A few odd lines of very early sorts have come forward from the Central, but it will be about the end of February. . before the main crops thera are ready to be gathered. Bananas are right off the market at pro-, sent, and no advico has been received when a consignment will be cominor to hand, the influenza epidemic and the lack of shipping facilities having quite upset the position. Island oranges will not be available till some time in . March, and the Australian, oranges some time later. "All fruits are late this season, consequently prices are running high," reports an officer of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture in reference to the fruit crops in the Manawatu and Wairarapa.