March 1897.] 



THE FRUIT CEOP OF 1896. 



365 



THE FRUIT CROP OF 1896. 



The fruit crop of 1896 appears to have been, on the whole, 

 not up to the average in quantity. The weather in the spring 

 and early summer was very dry and not favourable for the 

 fructification of the fruit blossoms, many of which, especially of 

 cherries and pears, fell off before the formation of the fruit, and 

 in some instances there was a considerable " drop " of cherries, 

 pears, gooseberries, and currants after the fruit had formed. 



The yield of the strawberry crop was considerably below the 

 average. There was a great show of blossom, but some of it 

 did not develop into fruit on account of drought. Fortunately 

 good showers came just in time to save a considerable portion 

 of the crop, which proved to be generally of good quality. 



Gooseberries in some districts were not very abundant, but 

 in others a good yield was obtained, particularly of the late 

 varieties. 



Red currants were hardly an average crop. The acreage of 

 this fruit was somewhat reduced on account of unremunerative 

 prices occasioned by the very heavy crops of the two former 

 years, and the large importation of currants from abroad. 



The yield of black currants was also below the average in 

 quantity. Drought always affects this crop prejudicially, and 

 the Currant Mite (Phytoptws ribis) has been very destructive 

 during the past few years. 



As usual, there was a magnificent display of blossom in the 

 cherry orchards, particularly in the famous cherry -growing 

 districts of East Kent, but an unusual per-centage was abortive 

 owing to the drought. It was feared also that a large per- 

 centage of the fruit would fall just at the " stoning " period, but, 

 except on the very dry soils, this did not happen. Although the 

 crop fell short of the average in point of quantity, the quality 

 was excellent. 



Raspberries were close upon an average yield. Rain came 

 just in time to save the crop. The cultivation of this fruit is 

 extending largely, as the canes come into bearing in the second 

 year, and there is always a great demand for raspberries. 



Plums throughout the country were by no means a large 

 crop, and in some localities they were decidedly scarce. Their 

 blossom was not abundant, and the dry weather did not suit it. 



Damsons were below an average yield. In many places the 

 trees were much injured by aphides and by the Damson Mite, 

 Bryobia pruni. 



Pears were also an under- average crop. The blossoms were 

 affected by late frosts, and the Pear Midge (Diplosis pyrivora) 

 did considerable harm to the tiny pears just after they were 

 formed. A good deal of cracking also was noticed, caused 

 by weather influences and by a fungus which spoilt the 

 appearance of the fruit and caused it to fall. 



