10 Dec, 1917.] Fruit Prospects. 1917-18. 725 



Evelyn and Central Districts — continued. 



Ajiricuts. — Oiillin's Early and Moore Park, medium to heavy; others, medium. 



I'cdilics.— \n iiicist Uualities early Mirts a medium crop; late sorts are better. 



Qiiiiu'iii. — All varieties, li^ht to medium. 



I'ig.'!. — First erop, medium. 



I'a.ision Fruit. — Owiiif; to tlie continual heavy rains, the vines look ratlier 

 unhealthy, and the crop will |)riiiiiil>ly be Iij,'ht to medium. 



Lnqtiats. — Light. 



Lciiiuns. — Medium. 



Oniniics. — A fair crop. 



(I'liiischerricx. — Light to nu'dium. Koarinp Lion is best. 



Cuininls. — White, light to medium. lilacU, medium to heavy. 



l/dsiihcrrics. — Having made a strong growth last year, the canes are looking 

 well, and, thrip not being present, a good erup may be expected. 



l.(/iianb€rriffi. — Sanie as lasjiberries. 



Blackberries. — These are looking exceptionally well, and .should bear a heavy 

 erop. 



fftrawberrics. — This year again the wcathei' has been rather wet and cold for 

 these, but, on the whole, the plants look widl, and should yield a good erop. 



Diamond Creek District — E. Wallis, Orchard Supervisor — 



Owing to the unfavorable weather condition.s obtaining when trees were in 

 bloom, and also to a severe frost experienced on tlie 8th of October, the stone 

 fruits and pears have not set well. The etl'ect of the frost referred to was quite 

 unusual, as the young fruit (peaches especially) remained on trees for as long as 

 ten days after being affected before dropping. 



.Ipples. — Heavy. Jonathan has set rather unevenly, but, on the whole, there 

 promises to be a medium to heavy crop of this favorite variety. Some varieties, 

 such as Rymer. have set an exceptionally t'wn and heavy crop. 



Apricot.^. — Light (not extensively grown). 



( lierrirs. — Light. 



Peaches. — Light. 



Pears. — Light to medium. 



Plums. — Light. 



Quinces. — Light to medium. 



Northern District — S. A. Cock, Orchard Supervisor — 



Owing to tlie abnormally wet season c\pcrienced, the fruit crop of the Northern 

 District promises to be extremely light. Leaf Curl has been very prevalent on the 

 peaches, and Black Spot is everywhere prevalent right through the apple centres, 

 and spraying with fungicides is still being continued to check its ravages. Taking; 

 the various centres of the district — Swan Hill, Echuca, Bendigo, and Castlemaine — 

 the following will show the present position of the crop: — 



Apples. — Liglit to medium. 



.1 pricots. — Light. 



Almonds. — ilediuir, . 



Cherries. — Medium. 



Citrus Frnit.f. — Promise heavy crop. 



Fiijs. — IVIedium. 



Crapes. — Promise heavy crop. 



Pears. — Light. 



Plmns. — Light. 



Peaches. — Light. 



Quinces. — Medium. 



Tomatoes. — Medium. 



Miklura Di.strict — G. IT. B. Davidson, Orcliard Supervisor — 

 Citrus. — Blossomed well, and promise a heavy crop, but too early to say, aa 

 they are not yet over the dropjiing stage. 



.ipricots. — Carrying heavy crops, both at Mildura and Mcrlu'in. 



Peaches. — Showing good crops. 



Pears. — Oood. heavy in some orchards and light in others. 



Plnms. — Cood. Prunes carrying good crops. 



Fifis. — First crop light. 



A Imonds. — Cood. 



