33

H.—29

winds, while the strawberries also were poor. Activities in the vegetable section were considerably curtailed owing to the difficulty of obtaining labour; the small quantity of vegetables grown were marketed. It is regretted that no students offered themselves for instruction in fruit and vegetable culture. School of Horticulture. The establishment of a Dominion School of Horticulture is a matter that has demanded attention for some considerable time. Further representations have boon received from the fruitgrowers' and nurserymen's associations and others, pointing out the great need of such an institution. It is trusted that before long something definite will be done in connection with this important matter, as at present there is an entire lack of facilities in this Dominion for the study of horticulture, and this want is retarding various branches of the industry. Hops. According to the Government Statistician's figures the area devoted to hop-growing in the 1919-20 season was 440 acres, practically the whole of this being in the Nelson Province. The quantity of hops exported during the year was 1,765 cwt., valued at £19,201. The following figures show the quantity and value of hops exported from the Dominion during the last five years ended 31st March : 1917, 4,449 cwt., £17,708; 1918, 2,134 cwt., £9,541 ; 1919, 2,294 cwt., £12,830; 1920, 1,946 cwt., £14,903; 1921, 1,765 cwt., £19,201. Imported Fruit. The following figures show the quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products imported into New Zealand during the year, the previous year's figures being also quoted for purposes of comparison : —

Inspection of Imported Fruit, Plants, and Vegetables. The Fruit Inspectors report that the bulk of the fruit imported came to hand in good condition. Great care has again been exercised in the inspection of fruit from the Cook Islands (Rarotonga), especially in the case of bananas, which, however, have given every satisfaction, the cases being well filled and honestly packed. Oranges from these islands have been very free from fruit-fly infection, the system adopted of picking and storing the fruit several days before packing for shipment having given good results. Although the bananas from Fiji were of better quality than those received last year, there is still room for considerable improvement in size and packing. A few lines of oranges from Australia infected with fruit-fly had to be destroyed, and several consignments of lemons and pineapples affected with live scale and mealy bug required fumigating before delivery could be given. A quantity of maize imported from Fiji was of poor quality, and came to hand badly infected with Angumois moth and weevil, necessitating similar treatment. A number of packa.ges of bulbs badly infected with bulb-mite were condemned and destroyed. The following is a summary of all fruit, vegetables, &c, examined at the different ports of inspection during the year ended 31st March, 1921. The considerable increase on the previous year's figures shown is accounted for principally by the return of shipping to normal conditions.

5—H. 29.

1920-21. 1919-2 !0. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Fruit, fresh, dutiable free „ bottled and preserved ,, dried Lemon and orange peel in brine.. Fruit-pulp and partially preserved fruit 1,587,765 1b. 23,599,048 lb. 243,367 doz. 11,911,744 1b. 408,840 1b 58,474 1b £ 31,029 239.182 168,816 478,284 7,034 1,632 1,891,017 lb. 19,039,317 lb. 64,630 doz. 9,450,103 lb. 132,433 lb. 195,042 lb. £ 33,972 150,207 38,225 311,312 2,486 3,679 Totals .. / 925,977 539,881

Fruit. Plants, Vegetables, &e. Port of Entry. Total. Destroyed. Fumigated. Reshipped. Total. Destroyed. Fumigated, 1 Auckland Wellington Dhristchuroh Dunedin Bluff .. Cases. 402,916 124,848 46,708 12,943 4,895 Cases. 226 103 79 141 Cases. 633 404 Cases. Packages. 29,778 24,597 2,859 6,427 2,116 Packages, 18 72 15 Packages. 8 Packages. 432,694 149,445 49,567 19,370 7,011 20