lo Dec, IQI2.] Fruit Prospects for the Coming Season. 753 



FRUIT PROSPECTS FOR THE COMING SEASON. 



p. J. Carmody, Chief Orchard Supervisor. 



The subjoined reports of the district supervisors indicate the fruit 

 prospects of the coming year to be particularly good. 



Owing to mild winter and to the fact that last season's crop was 

 light, the trees are in excellent condition ; and the bright and sunny 

 weather prevailing at setting time has resulted in leading one to 

 believe that a record yield will be harvested. In only a limited area 

 have frosts been reported to be injurious. 



Jonathan, the principal export apple of the southern part of the 

 State, gives promise of a very heavy crop where the trees are under 

 the influence of other varieties blooming at the same time. Where 

 large areas of these apples are planted out on their own, crops are 

 light and irregular. Rokewood, Yates, and Statesman are amongst 

 those having the greatest influence in interpollination with the 

 Jonathan, and it is remarkable to see young trees three and four years 

 old with this advantage laden with fruit, while without it trees eight 

 years old have but a few apples on them. It is advisable, not only 

 with this variety, but with all other kinds of fruit, to adopt a method 

 of planting whereby interpollinating influences can have the fullest 

 scope. 



Now that the work of spraying is facilitated by the general use 

 of motor spray pumps, it is only reasonable to expect growers to 

 take every precaution against diseases so that the fruit may be in a 

 •condition to bring remunerative prices on the market. 



The reports from the different districts are as follow : — 



Mr. H. W. Davey, Geelong and Western District, reports: — 



Geelong, mcludiiig Freshwater Creek and part of Moorahool Valley. — Apricots: 

 from light to heavy, the average on the light side. Peaches: excellent. 

 Plums: fair. Pears: very heavy. Apples: good. 



Inverleigh, Native Creek, and Bannockhurn. — Apricots from light to heavy, 

 average a fair crop. Cherries and peaches: good. Plums: fair. Apples: good. 

 Pears: heavy. 



Mt. Cole. — Apricots: not much grown. Plums: good. Apples: good. 

 Pears: heavy. 



Ocean Grove, Fenwick, and Wallington. — Apricots: light to fair. Apples: 

 good. Pears: heavy. 



Portland, Gorae, and Bolwarrah. — Apricots: good, but little grown. Pears: 

 very heavy. 



Panmure. — Apricots: fair. Apples: good. Pears: heavy. Plums: fair. 



Eoketcood Junction. — Apricots: fair to good Apples: good. Pears: very 

 heavy crops. 



TVarncoort and Yea. — Apricots: fair to good. Peaches: very little grown. 

 Apples: good; some fine crops of Jonathans. Pears: heavy. 



Mr. E. Meeking reports: — 



Prospects of the coming season 's fruit crop in the Mornington Peninsula 

 are: — 



Apples. — .Jonathan: a good setting is the rule throughout the whole of the 

 Mornington Peninsula and the greater part of South-eastern Gippsland. 



