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Citrus. —Following on the position set out in last annual report, growers have made more concentrated efforts at replacing and renovating their citrus trees. It is realized by many that the future of this industry depends on the propagation of new varieties, also the pruning, spraying, and manuring of our present trees. Average prices obtained by growers during the 1932 season was 2s. Bd. per case for the fruit alone. Coconuts. —No systematic plantings have been made for some time past. Numbers of palms have been cut down, and the land used for banana, tomato, and citrus cultivation. Domestic Crops. —Compared with past seasons, domestic crops —i.e., taro, kumaras, arrowroot, and sugar-cane, have been extensively planted. The plots are a credit to the growers. Monthly Notes.—The following subjects have been dealt with during the period under review— April : Preliminary Forecast of Prospective Yields of Citrus Fruits in New South Wales for Season 1932-33. May : Packing Bananas in Bermuda (West Indies). June : Tomatoes ; Fruit-cases. July : Tomato-culture —Spraying. August: Experimental Nursery ; Fertilizers; Pruning of Citrus Trees. September : " Topping "of Bananas and Tomatoes. October : Citrus-planting Operations. November : Preparation of Bananas for Export —Necessity for Improvement in Quality of Rarotongan Bananas. December : The Zebediela Citrus Estate, South Africa. January: Banana Shipments. February : Acidity Tests for Citrus Fruits. March : Acidity Tests for Citrus Fruits (continued). Fruit Inspection. —Work in the seven district packing-sheds has been carried out satisfactorily. The orange crop was a normal one, and, although the Pacific cargo-steamers did not load oranges at Rarotonga, the mail-steamers were able to carry approximately 43,400 cases of oranges to New Zealand. Citrus Experiments. —Following on the work done in 1931 further experiments, particularly with borax treatment, were regularly carried out during the season. Prosecutions. —Forty-three persons were prosecuted and fined for packing immature or undersized bananas and tomatoes. Outer Islands.—During the season the Pacific cargo-steamers of the Union Steamship Co., Ltd., loaded shipments of oranges from various islands of the Lower Group. It is interesting to note that the losses on these shipments were reported to be very low, and this was undoubtedly due to the fact that all fruit was carried on deck, where the air temperature is very much lower than in the holds. Noxious Weeds. Regular visits of inspection have been made to all districts of the island and notices served to owners where necessary. Very few notices were issued in respect of the weeds Australian burr (Xanthium strummarium), and Lantana (.Lantana camera). These weeds are almost eradicated from the island, and with careful observation they should not become a menace in the future. Elephant's Foot. —A number of areas under this weed have been cleared and planted in crops. Several new areas were located during the year and notices served on the owners. Growing under ordinary conditions and provided it is not allowed to seed, this weed is not particularly difficult to eradicate. Pitati Mamao (Clerodendron fragrans). —No new areas of this weed have been located on the island. It is gradually being eradicated, but owing to its lateral root system eradication is rather difficult on unploughable land. Sodium Chlorate.—Further experiments were carried out by spraying sodium chlorate on areas of elephant's foot and pitati mamao. Good results were obtained on the elephant's foot, but not very satisfactory on the pitati mamao owing to the deep root system of this plant. On unploughable land, spraying would be beneficial, but would not be economical on lands that may be ploughed and cultivated. Prosecutions.— During the year eight persons were prosecuted for breaches of the Noxious Weeds Regulations. Experimental Nursery. During the year under review the Nursery was subjected to inundation on four occasions, with the result that a large number of banana plants, several citrus trees, and approximately four thousand rough lemon seedlings were lost or suffered damage. The Pecan nut trees, received from New South Wales, are growing well. Tung-oil trees established at Ngatipa and distributed among growers, are healthy-looking plants. Approved varieties of mangoes were inarched and distributed to growers. Large quantities of citrus bud-wood have been given to growers who are raising their own young stock. Only bud-wood from recognized varieties is used. Demonstrations appertaining to citriculture have been held at the Nursery, besides visits being made to individual plantations for the purpose of giving practical advice. As in past years, large quantities of kumara cuttings have been distributed to growers. Distributions from the Nursery comprised the following : 205 eucalyptus seedlings, 46 palms (assorted), 42 grafted mangoes, 40 African pawpaws, 12 New Zealand passion-vines, 106 macadamia trees, 14 sapodilla, 60 banana shoots, 20 avocado pear, 20 breadfruit, 75 bamboo, 20 stephanotis, 30 lb. maize seed, 6 Cassia fistula, 200 nephelium, 20 Indian plum, 800 rough lemon seedlings, 160 budded citrus trees, kumara cuttings, and pepper and coffee plants.

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