FRUIT SEASON.

Star (Christchurch), Volume XLIV, Issue 600, 2 November 1932, Page 1

FRUIT SEASON.

Indications Point to Record Crops.

Not for many years have conditions for the growing of fruit in Canterburv been so favourable as they have been this season and all indications point to record crops. The only crops that are not coming forward in excellent condition are apricots which are stated to be patchy in places.

Mr B. G. Goodwin, Government Orchard Instructor, said to-day that there had been nothing at all this season to give the fruit a set-back. There had been no heavy late frosts and the ain that fell last week was just what was wanted to give the fruit the stimulus it needed.

The present moist conditions, he said, were not likely to produce frosts, and if there was a good spell of warm weather from now on the crops of fruit would be remarkably abundant. However, if there did happen to be a severe frost within the next three weeks it would have disastrous results on some of the crops.

Complete arrangements were being made for a large export of apples and pears from Canterbury this season, said Mr Goodwin. It was expected that between 50,000 and 60,000 cases would be exported as compared with 30,000 cases two years ago, which was the previous largest export season. Last year, owing to hail and late frosts the crops were poor and only 11,000 cases were exported.