13

A.—3

they are not recommended to grow for export. The varieties were all grown and tested on the system approved and practised by nurserymen in other countries, and, being conducted under personal supervision, growers can accept the accuracy of the test with confidence. Ploughing of land for tomato-culture has also been undertaken, at sufficient cost to reimburse the Administration, to enable planters and Natives to make a start. Spraying-pump and materials have also been lent to growers to enable them to cope with disease and pests until they were able to purchase their own. A number of ploughing-teams are now at work, and the area of land being ploughed and brought under cultivation is rapidly increasing. Planting of these ploughed areas with tomatoes, bananas, and kumaras is now being undertaken with confidence by planters and Natives, and if good steamer communication is provided the export of produce should be well maintained, if not substantially increased. With a view to ascertaining whether the, old plantation lands can be made productive for the commercial cultivation of bananas by the use of fertilizers, manurial tests are at present being conducted on a section at Tutakinioa. The manures and formulae are based on recommendations by .J. C. Brunich, Esq., Agricultural Chemist, Queensland, and on experiments conducted by A. H. Benson, Esq., Instructor of Fruit-culture, Queensland. I trust the experiments will prove interesting and of benefit to local planters. Visits of inspection were made to the islands of Mangaia, Mauke, Atiu, and Aitutaki by the Assistant Fruit Inspector. Demonstrations of pruning were given in which the Natives showed keen interest. The inspection showed that the. endeavours of the Administration to foster the fruitgrowing industry in the near outlying islands have resulted in an awakening interest on. the part of the Natives, and satisfactory progress is being made, the methods of packing and attention to plantations on some islands showing improvement. The fumigation of fruit, which has hitherto been carried on at Rarotonga only, is now being instituted at other islands of the Croup from which oranges, &c, are exported. E. A. Reid.