H.—29.

There has been a reduction in the area in tobacco for commercial purposes, which approximates 2,500 acres. It is estimated that the area in tung-oil trees is from 3,000 to 4.000 acres. The honey exported in the year ended 31st March, 1933, was 2,005 cwt., valued at £7,014 ; and the corresponding figures for 1934 were 7,342 cwt., valued at £23,784. The hemp industry continues in a depressed condition, which may be relieved to some extent by the manufacture of wool-packs and sacking, in connection with which a factory was opened at Foxton during the year. A further extension in the use of flax (Phormium) fibre may arise from trials, relative to ropes, which have been carried on by the Admiralty and in which the ropes made from Phormium fibre were gratifyingly successful. The official certification of seeds is now a well-established service which receives the increasing support of both growers and consumers of seed. In the first place, it seems likely to become the basis of a valuable relatively stable subsidiary primary industry. In the second place, the wider use of certified seed will be reflected in better pastures generally. In 1933-34 certification was applied to seed of the following crops—perennial rye-grass, cocksfoot, browntop, white and red clovers, potatoes, wheat, swedes, and turnips. Use of Artificial Fertilizers and Lime. The survey of the response of New Zealand grassland to various classes of fertilizers and to lime, which was initiated in recent years, has already provided sufficient instructive information to indicate that the trials should be increased in number as a means to greater detailed knowledge of the top-dressing requirements of the various districts, and this is being done as opportunity offers. As a result of the survey the use of not less than 1 cwt. an acre of 30 per cent, potash on a large block of grassland in North Taranaki is now being recommended. The survey also indicates that the visible field response to liming of the pastures of the various districts varies greatly, and as great differences in the response to lime at times are found in districts adjacent to one another the accurate determination of the boundaries between different types of response becomes of distinct economic value. Further investigation relative to the manuring of wheat confirms the advisability in the main graingrowing districts of using lcwt. an acre of superphosphate at the time of sowing, and this official recommendation has been translated into almost universal field practice. The artificial fertilizers carried by rail for the twelve months ended 31st March, 1934, were 61 217 tons less than in the previous twelve months. The Dominion figures in tons for the years specified are-1928-29, 708,515; 1929-30, 691,604; 1930-31, 568,491; 1931-32, 570,144; 1932-33, 613,450; 1933-34, 552,233. The figures for the North and South Islands for recent years are — North Island. South Island. Tons. Tons. 1931 _32 435,237 134,907 1932-33 .. .... 463,603 149,847 1933-34 .'. •• •• •■ 394,156 158,077 The agricultural lime carried by rail during the year ended the 31st March, 1934, was 19,873 tons greater than in the previous year. The quantities, in tons, of agricultural lime carried annually since Ist April, 1929, are— North Island. South Island. Total for Dominion. 1929-30 .. •• •• •• 60,476 111,063 171,539 19 30_3i .. 72,678 83,168 155,846 1931-32 .. .. 70,570 69,766 140,336 1932-33 .. ■• 94,701 79,413 174,114 1933-34 .. 99,919 94,068 193,987 Stock Diseases. The year generally has been a normal one in respect to diseases of cattle. While there was an increase in black-leg in the Auckland Province, the number of cases noted in Taranaki was not above the average. The use of the formalinized vaccine prepared at Wallaceville is giving satisfactory results. Cattle-ticks were more numerous than in recent years, especially in North Auckland. Regarding the cattle-tick, there has taken place a change in outlook involving a realization that the tick is not such a serious parasite as was originally considered possible, and in conformity with the current viewpoint alterations in the present regulations are contemplated by the Department. In the control of the cattle-tick much can be accomplished by the

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