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APPENDIX. CONTENTS. Page. I'age. Live-stock Division .. .. .. .. 9 Chemistry Section .. .. .. .. 44 Dairy Division .. .. .. .. 19 Biology Section .. .. .. .. 48 Horticulture Division .. .. .. .. 29 Hemp-grading Service .. .. .. .. 50 Agricultural Instruction and Experimental Farma Grain-grading Service .. .. .. ..53 Branch .. .'. .. .. ..35

LIVE-STOCK DIVISION. REPORT OF THE DIVISIONAL DIRECTOR. The Director-General. Wellington, 24th August, 1921. I forward herewith my annual report for the year ended 31st March last. A. R. Young, M.R.C.V.S., Director. Introduction. In presenting my annual report it is necessary that I. should touch briefly on the position of the market, as affecting the pastoral community, brought about by the rather sudden and unexpected severe fall which took place towards the close of the financial year. This has had a serious effect on the export trade of the Dominion in pastoral products, and it is difficult at the present time to forecast with any degree of accuracy what will be the trend of values for our primary products—meat and wool in particular —in the immediate future. For a country like New Zealand, which depends for its very existence on the products of the soil, it is imperative that a ready mafket be at all times available for its produce, and the fall of this market at a time when good returns are most required is a matter of grave concern. lam hopeful that the position will soon show a recovery, but at the same time anything that can be done at this end (and followed up at the marketing centres) to assist a recovery should be carried out, and that quickly. A great deal could no doubt be done here to avoid waste —not only waste in the handling of the products where labour-saving appliances might with advantage be adopted, but in other directions. The endeavour should be uppermost among all concerned to put our products on the market in as sound and good condition as possible. In the case of meat much can be done in this direction by producers, by the employees who kill and dress the carcases, and by the men who do the subsequent handling until the meat is on board ship. Unfortunately, we do not always find the necessary pride and pleasure in work well done which should permeate all concerned, and general co-operation to bring about and carry into effect all proper requirements is a step eminently to be desired. As stated, much can be done here. The starting-off point must, of course, be with the breeder, and whatever the breed he should always aim at the best, and having started right in this direction see that his stock are well done by throughout. Adequate winter feeding, and, in districts where drought conditions are liable to occur, the provision of a reserve of food material, together with good shelter, are necessary adjuncts to successful production which arc too apt to be neglected—in the North Island at least. It is surely infinitely better to end the winter with the stock in a good and healthy condition, and a haystack to spare, than to just manage to bring the stock through in a weak, low condition, and with no feed in hand for the next emergency. Yet this is how many farmers in New Zealand carry on their farming operations from year to year, and wonder how it is that they remain struggling while neighbours are prosperous. The climate of New Zealand so admirably lends itself to the raising of stock with the minimum amount of trouble that we are inclined to trust to Providence overmuch, forgetting that while taking every advantage of what Nature has provided for us we should duly assist her provision. By increasing our opportunities in this way we not only help ourselves, but the country receives the maximum benefit from our presence and activities. Conditions of Stock generally. The conditions obtaining in the areas of the District Superintendents are summarized in the following matter : — Auckland District. The autumn of 1920 was very mild, and as a result of this and the good rains which were experienced during and after February, the farming industry commenced the winter under most favourable circumstances —with pastures in good order, stock in good condition, a fair supply of hay, and root crops at least equal to the best that have been obtained for many years. The winter proved mild, and all classes of stock came through it well, the mortality from all causes being very much below the average. Spring and early summer were very favourable, the season up to about the middle of last February being probably the most favourable experienced for many years for all branches of farming. From then onwards until the end of March the weather was very dry, as a result of which

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