FRUIT CROPS.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 3411, 30 December 1911, Page 9

FRUIT CROPS.

PROSPECTS GENERALLY GOOD

The Orchard Division of the Agricultural Department has received the following report as to the fruit prospects from its different field officers for the end of November : Palmerston North—Plums considerably damaged by wind; other fruits, good crop. . ' . Hamilton —Every prospect of excellent crop; orchards in exposed situations have suffered considerably through rough weather; apricot season will be two or tree weeks -later than previous seasons. Timaru —Crops all looking very well near Ashburton; prospect of record crop; much damage at Waimate by hailstorm. Wanganui—Exposed orchards have suffered severly from winds and hail; there is still promise of a good 1 crop in tlie majority of orchards; strawberries, gooseberries, and cherries, excellent crop. Canterbury and West Coast—Season very disastrous, sharp frosts and cold weather has done a great deal 1 of harm; apples and tomatoes are fair; other fruits, light crop. Auckland—Apples, pears, peaches, nectarines, plums Japanese), very good; plums English), light crop; gooseberries, fair. Gisborne —Apples, pears, nectarines, and, gooseberries, excellent; plums, apricots, and peaches, moderate. Hastings—Heavy , gales during November have' reduced crops considerably, but crops alii round will 1 be above the average; early peaches and raspberries, light crop; pears, gooseberries, and plums, good; midsummer and late peaches and apples promise very heavy crops; vegetable and garden crops backward, on account of dry winds and no rain. ** Nelson —Weather very cold, but no material damage ,noticeable; peaches and apricots have not set as well as anticipated, but fair crop expected; pears, light crop; apples, heavy; vegetables, good prospects.