366 



THE FEUIT CROP OF 1896. 



[March 1897- 



The apple crop generally was not large. Much harm was 

 done by the caterpillars of the Winter Moth (Gheimatobia 

 brumata), and by the caterpillars of other moths. The Codlin 

 Moth was, also, unusually troublesome. In some situations a 

 good deal of " scald " was noticed, attributed to climatic influences, 

 but it was evidently a fungoid attack, and in many cases the 

 unmistakable spots of the fungus Fusicladium dendriticum were 

 observed. There were also large brown patches upon some of the 

 apples, which gradually extended. These fungi were more pre- 

 valent upon the early varieties, under some of the trees ot* which 

 quantities of fallen apples were found. Lord Suffiekls and 

 Keswick Codlins were especially attacked in certain districts. 

 On the whole the quality of the apples of the main crop was 

 fairly good. Some varieties, notably the Cox's Orange Pippin , 

 were particularly fine, well coloured, and of good flavour. 



Filberts and cob nuts were about a good average return. 



Some fruit made satisfactory prices, especially strawberries, 

 cherries, and black currants, on account of the crops being 

 below the average, although the imports of cherries were larger 

 than in the preceding year, having amounted to 219,367 

 bushels in May, June, July, and August, against 195,627 bushels 

 in the corresponding months of 1895. Cherries arrive in London 

 from abroad in May, and continue to come until the first week 

 in August. In the months of May and June in 1896 before 

 English cherries were ready, no less than 123,526 bushels of 

 cherries had been imported, so that the desire for cherries had 

 been considerably satisfied when the home-grown fruit was ripe, 



The prices realised for English cherries were good, ranging 

 between 2s. Gd. and lis. Gd. per half sieve (24 lbs.). In the early 

 part of the season prices were high, in the middle they went 

 down somewhat, and towards the close the best " Napoleons " 

 and " Florence .Hearts " made as much as 10s. , to lis. Gd. per 

 24 lbs. The average price of Kentish cherries was about 6s. per 

 24 lbs. clear of the expenses of carriage and commission. 



Strawberries brought from 2s. to 6s. per peck of 12 lbs., 

 deducting rail charges and commission, and the average price 

 appears to have been close upon 2s. lOd. per peck. 



Gooseberries fetched from 2s. Gd. to 4s. Gd, per half sieve of 

 28 lbs., free of charges, at the beginning of the season, and 

 from Is. lOd. to 4s. later on, the average price of this fruit 

 being about 3s. per half sieve clear of railway expenses and 

 commission. 



Good prices were obtained for red and black currants, as 

 the home crop, especially of black currants, was rather short, 

 and the importations from abroad were not quite so large as 

 usual. The range for red currants was between 2s. IOcZ. and 4s. 

 per half sieve of 24 lbs. clear of rail and commission charges, 

 and the average was about 3s. Id. per half sieve. Black currants 

 brought from 5s. Gd. to 7s. Gd. per half sieve of 24 lbs. free of 

 charges, while the average price would be at least Gs. Gd. per 

 half sieve. 



