19

H.—29

the quantities of fruit, plants, efec, which arrived at the different ports of entry during the year, and shows the numbers specially de:alt with for disease-control purposes : —

Hop-culture. According to the Customs figures 3,883 cwt. of hops, valued at £27,615, were exported from the Dominion during the year. The crop was above the average, heavy yields being obtained in some of the gardens, and the returns to growers were satisfactory. The bulk of the crop is grown in the Ncslson and Motueka. districts. The quantities and values eif hops exported during the last five years are as follows : 1920 : 1,946 cwt., value £14,903. 1921 : 1,765 cwt., value £19,201. 1922 : 2,056 cwt., value £18,054. 1923 : 2,243 cwt., value £21,153. 1924 : 3,883 cwt., value £27,615. Viticulture and Wine-making. A good season has been experienced in the growing of all kinds of grapes, and crops have been above the average and comparatively free from disease. Dessert grapes grown both under glass and outdoor have realized very satisfactory prices. A good demand exists for grafted vines of both table and wine varieties. It is estimated wine grapes will yield 80,000 gallons of wine, which at a conservative estimate represents a value of £32,000. The returns from grapes grown under glass are set down at approximately £30,000. Cider-making: An industry which has made considerable development during the year, particularly in the Nelson District, is that of cider-making. The quantity of cider manufactured amounts to approximately 40,000 gallons, most of this being produced from a grade of apples which in former seasons was allowed to rot in the orchards or fed to stock. In this connection the cider ineiustry promises to be of great value to the apple-growers of the Dominion as a means of making a profitable use of their low-grade apples, and it deserves every encouragement from that point of view alone. Up to the present the bulk of the cider produced has been consumed locally, and judging from the amount disposed of in the Nelson District it should command a ready sale throughout New Zealand when the business has been properly developed. Beekeeping Industry. The beekeeping industry in the Dominion continues to progress steadily. Owing to unfavourable: weather conditions which prevailed during the past honey season, the crop in most districts was a light one, with the exception of Taranaki, Otago, and Southland, where good returns were secured. Reports received from the Apiary Inspectors indicate that steady progress has been made in the eradication of foul-brood disease. A. scheme of concentrating on certain areas was adopted last season with the view of cleaning up disease in the localities concerned in a systematic manner. For this purpose a number of reliable beekeepers were engaged as part-time Inspectors to assist in carrying-out the work. The districts operated on were portions of the Waikato, Wairarapa, and Southland. Whilst it has not boe:n possible to completely eradioate disease from the areas dealt with, the results obtained have amply warranted the scheme be:ing given a further trial next season. Although the majority of beekeepers are complying with the requirements of the regulations under the Apiaries Act, there arc still a number, chiefly those owning a few hives, who will not take the necessary steps to control disease, &c. Proceedings had to be taken against several delinquents in the: various districts during the year. Information and advice on up-to-date methods in beekeeping by means of lectures and practical demonstrations have been continued as far as it has been possible to do so by the present staff. The queen-rearing apiary at Tauranga having been closed down, arrangements were made for the raising of queens at the Ruakura Farm of Instruction, Hamilton. Tested and specially selected queens and nucleus colonies of bees were available for purchase by the public at reasonable prices during the season. Investigations undertaken at the Biological Laboratory indicate that Nosema apis disease in bees is in existence in New Zealand. Further tests are being conducted, and consignments of bees from various districts are being forwarded to the Laboratory by officers of the Division for this purpose. Further research work is urgently required in connection with fermented honeys, as large losses are incurred annually on this account. It is hoped that this can be arranged for at an early date. Export of Honey : The quantity of honey exported during the year was 9,157 cwt., valued at £26,910. The honey-export figures for the last five years ending 31st March, as supplied by the

4—EL 29.

Fruit. Plants, Vegetablei I, &c. Port of Entry. § to £ 4J ta § CO I 44 o © o fH +4 CO CD ft •■6 i I 4M 3 0 H I H Cases. Luckland .. 401,721 Wellington .. 196,445 Jhristchurch 46,136 hinodin .. 21,726 Huff .. 5,373 Cases. 2,848 126 40 21 40 Cases. 206 200 Cases. 92 Packagos. 41,947 46,315 10,606 9,936 2,606 Packages. 95 104 86 3 1 Packages. 436 Packages. 1 Packages. 443,668 242,760 56,742 31,662 7,979 20