THE FRUIT CROP.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXIX, Issue 8302, 4 December 1906, Page 5

THE FRUIT CROP.

PROSPECTS OF YIELDS

Bj* Telegraph—Press Association.

CHRISTOHUROH, Deoember 3. The Department of Agriculture (division of biology and horticulture), has received from tbe Government Pomologist for the South Island a report on fruit crop prospects, of which the following is a summary:— The crop is extremely variable, and on tbe whole will not be so good as was promised by the appearanues in the early spring. Apricots—Tbe crops in several 1 districts very disappointing; in others fair to satisfactory. The early anticipations were for tbe heaviest crop yet / produced, as many young thrifty orchards were coming into bearing, but several causes have contributed to reducing tbe yield. Birds have developed the practice of pioking the flower buds just before tbe blooming period, and their propensity oE pioking off the fruit when just set, and about the size of small peas, has greatly increased. In some localities frosts eauaed damage. On the whole tbe crop is light to medium. Cherries.—The area, particularly of [early maturing sorts, has much increased. The crop is medium to heavy, of excellent quality Peaohes.—Varieties which without proper, onltural treatment fall to develop their blossom have a very light crop. Varieties whioh set freely have good promise. On the average the crop is medium to fairly satisfactory in promise of (yield.