DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 10193, 30 October 1894, Page 6

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

THE ANNUAL REPORT.

(Fjbom Oub Own Cobbbspondejw;)

WaiiiNGTON,-October 4,

In the annual report of > the Department of Agriculture Mr, Eitchie, secretary otthe4epartmeiiti states that the number of creameries and cheese and batter factories at work this season is 178—an increase of 7* on last year. He states that the condensed milk from colonial factories is quite as good-as, if not superior to, the test imported!'and-he is sure the local article only requires to be bfetter kno^a in order; to'supersede that which 'is' impo'rfced. The recent development of jthe' dairying industry has led to the price bl^ dairy..l'cbjjrs having advanced by (W per cent,' over that ruling two ;or three" years ago,.and he thinka this rise is likely to be maintained. As to the most suitable breed,'he says :—" We must look for something that will produce beef as well as milk, and I am, therefore, of opinion that a shorthorn ball from a good milking strain is the most desirable sire." He estimates the increase in pigs during the; past year at fully 30 per cent., a result largely due to the operations of the Intermarine Supply Company, which has opened a factory at Islington, near Christchurch, for the manufacture of mess pork by a patent process, and has other works in course of erection at' I Hastings. Everything favours an enormous i expansion of this industry, as with grain at the .present prices the return per bushel should be at least half as much more if fed to pigs than if placed on the market. : ; : :On the subject of the rabbit pest Mr Ritchie states that he has made a personal inspection duriDg the past year of some of the worst infested districts of the colony, and he reports a marked diminution of the number of rabbits. The reports of local inspectors are also of a favourable character. Much more requires to be done, however, before the pest is reduced to reasonable limits. He considers much better results would be obtained if inspectors had power to compel all owners to poison at the proper season. Assistance to settlers in the work of greeting rabbit-proof fencing would be money ' well ■ spent. In the Waiiarapa energetic measures were taken after Mr Bitehie had visited the district, and "Toxa" was laid with good results, the greater portion of the district being now comparatively free from the pest. The Manawatu Extermination Society continue the.work of destruction on the west coast of the. North Island with good effect. ' - The report is published in a volume of octavo size of 236 pages. In addition to the reports of Mr. Ritchie, Secretory for Agriculture; it contains the reports of. the local stock inspectors, Government pomologist, Government vetori-. narian, acting biologiut, &b. " ' -'■■■■■■ THE FRUIT INDUSTBY. ' There are some very interesting remarks concerning the fruit industry in the annual report of Mr Ritchie, Secretary of Agriculture. He states that though the experts speak highly of the soil and climate of New Zealand as suitable for fruit culture, there is great lack of energy on the part of thoße connected with the industry. The orchards are, with few exceptions, badly looked after, and in many fruit pasts are in undisturbed possession. This may be partly accounted for by the poor returns received for fruit; but, on the other hand, it is au indisputable fact that a large proportion of what is grown is very inferior. While this state of things, is allowed to go on, says Mr Ritchie, growers . cannot expect to get satisfactory prices. The engagement of a man thoroughly qualified in the tinning and canning of fruit has from time to time been urged upon the Government, Mr Ritchie continues, and inquiries have been made both in Australia and in America. In Australia no one was found, and the salary asked by those suitable in California precluded any engagement. The matter will not be lost sight of, bat until those interested in fruitgrowing wake up to the fact that trees requite to be attended to as other farm crops are there is little hope of the output reaching even the local demand. To those in isolated places, tinning would be a great help, but drying or pulping is the only means of disposing of inferior fruit. With reference to an increased duty on imported fruit, the secretary states that several growers have petitioned for it, and, in his opinion, there is something to be said in its favour, seeing that last year the enormous quantity of 3,078,2621b of dutiable fruit, valued at £27,287, was imported. If the adjoining colonies can grow fruit, pay freight charges and duty, and sell here at a profit, surely New Zealand orchardists should be able to place their fruit on the market at a lower figure, having less charges and no duty to pay. In-some districts, notably the Teviot, the industry has made enormous strides, mainly by co-operation in selling and judiciously feeding the market. If growers would band together and carefully grade their fruit before sending to market they would very soon find markets for all their fruit at remunerative prices. DEVELOPMENT OF DAIRYING. The chief dairy instructor, Mr Sawers, has recommended that the services of at least three additional dairy instructors, making five in all, be obtained, and the colony be divided into four divisions, the work in each to bo under the direction of one of the instructors, the chief instructor to have general supervision. The divisions he recommends are :—First division, Auckland and the Gisborne section of the Hawke's Bay district; second division, Taranaki and part of the Hawke's Bay and Wellington districts; third division — Marlborough, Nelson, Westland, and North Canterbury; fourth division—South Canterbury, Otago, and Southland districts, Mr Sawers states that the

limited staff of instructors dariDg the last three years has not permitted any thoroughly organised or effective system of instruction. PROGRESS OP THE DAIHY INDUSTHV. Tho annual report of Mr Sawers shows an increasing export of New Zealand dairy produce daring 1893. A fair start has been made in co-operative dairying, bat tho possibilities of expansion in this direction are very great. There is still an immense area of land which can profitably be put under dairying, and thus the output of butter and cheese may beenonnonsly increased. He reports a very decided improvement in the condition of factories and creameries, and in the cleanliness and neatness of the utensils employed, but there were still some dairy factory managers who did not seem to realise the necessity for cleanliness. Notwithstanding the drawbacks, says Mr Sawerp, the quality and uniformity of New Zealand exported butter has continued to increase. The success or failure of the trade in this commodity rests solely on the quality of the goods put on the market. He earnestly trusts that something will be done to facilitate and improve the carriage of dairy produce to the port of shipment, as well as to provide for its storage wbile it awaits shipment. Every butter factory should be equippsd with a small mechanical refrigerator for tempering the cream and butter. Another serious impediment in the way of putting the batter trade on a sonncl footing is the largo percentage of dairy and milled butter exported. A well-organised system of co-opera-tive dairying properly directed is the only sure remedy. Mr Sawyers also complains that the butterroakera employed in some factories' have no knowledge of tbeir duties. He has to report good progress in the cheese industry. New Zealand "full cream" factory cheese is now in good demand and highly appreciated in the markets of Britain, and several produce brokers and merchants have said that it is the best in the market. He hopes that instruction in this branch will be pushed forward to the utmost capacity of the department, and that adequate means will be taken to prevent the manufacture and exportation of skim milk or grade cheese.