lo Nov., 19 II.] Prospects of the Coming Fruit Crop. 755 



PROSPECTS OF THE COMING FRUIT CROP. 



p. J . Cannody, Chief Orchard Supervisor. 



It i.s almost impossible at this early period to predict with any degree 

 of accuracy the crop for the coming season, as most of the apple varieties, 

 when the orchard supervisors collected their data, were in the fiorescent 

 condition, nor had any of the stone fruits pas.sed the critical stage — that 

 of ' ' stoning. ' ' A forecast, however, is extremely desirable to give ex- 

 porters some idea of the fruit crop in general in order that they may book 

 space in the boats for the export of their fruit, and in the event of their 

 not being able, through miscalculation or otherwise, to fill the space 

 allotted, they may know what districts to look to for supplying their 

 wants. 



In most districts, record yields were harvested last season, but it is not 

 reasonable to expect anything like such returns per acre during the season 

 at hand, as, no doubt, many of the blossoms now appearing are weak and 

 incapable of setting their fruit. 



It must be borne in mind, however, that the fruit-bearing area is an- 

 nually increasing, so that even with a lighter proportional yield the ultimate 

 crop should not be far short of that of the past year. 



Apricots were exceptionally light last season as compared with the 

 previous crop. To obviate this biennial habit as much as possible, 

 growers when pruning should remove all weak, debilitated spurs, .so as to 

 induce the development of more robust and vigorous ones. 



The prominent feature in the subjoined reports from the different 

 supervisors is the promise of the Jonathan yield. This varietv is so con- 

 sistent under anything like fair treatment, that we feel surprised only 

 when our trees are not bending down with their load. 



Bendigo District. 

 Supervisor Cock reports: — 



The fruit crop in the Bendigo and Norlhtin District is one oi" splendid 

 promise. 



A-p-ples. — Good, abcnit two-thirds of hist year. Munroe's Favourite, Rome 

 Beauty, Jonathan, and I'omnie de Niege looU esjiccially well, ami so do most of 

 the early varieties. 



Africots of all varieties have set a heavy croj) in the (_'nhuna and Bendigo dis- 

 tricts, and a good crop is also assured at Castlemaine. 



Cherries will be fairly plentiful, about an e(|ual crop to last year at Bendigo, 

 but heavier in all varieties at Harcourt and Castlemaine. 



Gooseberries, Currants, and Strawberries have set a good crop. 



Grafes. — Slu)u!d freedom from frosts be ex]:)erienced, the grape crop shouhi 

 be a very heavy one. Vines everywhere are looking well. 



Peaches. — A record yield in all varieties in all parts of the district is assured. 



Fears give promise of a good average crop — from half to two-thirds of last year. 

 Williams' Bon Chretien, anrl Josephine fie Malines are somewhat light, but there 

 is a good crop of flansel's Bergamol, :md Winter \elis. 



Plums. — Medium. 



Tomatoes are well forward; the planting in the Bendigo district is nin so 

 large as last season, but the plants arc llowering well. At l'".chuca, Svvin I^ill, 

 and Kerang a good setting has already taken place. 



Central District. 

 Supervi-sor Cole reports: — 



Apples. — Light, mi-<lium, to heavy. Loquats. — \'«'r\- liglit. 



Apricots.— \.\\^\\.. /'caches. — Light to meiiium. 



Cherries.- — Light, nu'ijiiun, to Iumnv Pears. — Light, me<liun\, to luivy. 



Gooseberries, Currants, &'c. — I'ro.ni^- Plums. — l-ight lo nu-dinm. 



ing well. Quinces. — Medium. 

 Lemons. — Heavy. 



