H.—29.

HORTICULTURE DIVISION. REPORT OF J. A. CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR. The Fruitgrowing Industry. Notwithstanding the changeable weather conditions which prevailed throughout the growingseason the crop of apples and pears in the majority of the commercial fruitgrowing areas in the Domfnion was above the average, some localities producing heavy crops. Continued dry weather ?esXd in a considerable quantity of undersized fruit, which was unsuitable for export on this resuitea me oo i ■> hH, t id and gmall fnllts were a i so affected by the dry Salons Onofth heavLTlate frosts in Central Otago occurred on the 22nd and 23rd October last and caused severe losses, the crop being practically wiped out in some localities and considerably reduced in others. Some damage from the same cause also took place in portions of the Son Mariborough, and Hawke's Bay Districts, and a hailstorm seriously affected a number of during the year, the majority of orchard pests and diseases beins kept under control. Mealy-bug is becoming troublesome in some districts and its effectual control icausmg concern The operations of the natural enemy recently introduced are being looked toward to"lnvest Reports to hand indicate that there has been no further spread of fireblight nTheJzetted area" A slight outbreak occurred in an isolated locality near Nelson. Steps for its ZntZTuienZmJllj by the departmental officers, and so far the disease has made no fUrth TL h Tontinued depressed condition of the markets is beginning to show its effect in orchard. management generally a great many growers, through lack ot finance, finding it extremely difficult rSStorily carry out all the details necessary in the running of an up-to-date orchard, to satisfad for New . Zealand - gr own lemons, and growers have experienceda very satisfactory year This is largely due to the embargo at present operating against the introduction of Strus fruft from Australia. 8 There has been a tendency, however, in view of the increased prices prevalmg to market a considerable percentage of immature and poor-quality fruit. Proper grading and curing of lemons is a necessity, and the best marketing returns cannot be obtained without these. The Poorman orange appears to be gaming in popularity throughout New Zealand, and it is anticiiated thaUurther planting will be undertaken in the near future. This fruit is generally commg into favour, andwill undoubtedly in time become a favourite breakfast fruit, besides being valuable as a beVe The e re has been a falling-off in the quantity of passion-fruit grown in the North Auckland District, due largely to the unsatisfactory state of the local markets and the cost of conveying the fruit to the main centres! Operations are still being continued in the extraction of passion-fruit juice, which is bein !ntovembeXt the Director of the Division (Mr. J. A. Campbell) proceeded to the United States of America for the purpose of investigating the possibilities of fostering an apple and pear export trade with that country He also visited Canada to ascertain the position there and later proceeded to tie United Kingdom to look into the market conditions and the out-turn of fruit shipments arriving from New Zealand. Export of Feuit. The Quantity of fruit shipped overseas during the 1933 export season amounted to a total of ] 430 513 cases which showed a decrease of some 165,000 cases as compared with the previous year s j,4du,oio , h , b ing lighter than usual and a considerable percentage Sting l over Lefrui which wTs not'suitabfe for export. Of the total exported, 1,055,109 cases oracles and 106 062 cases of pears were forwarded to Great Bntam, 89 538 cases of apples and 154 cases of pears to the Continent of Europe, 87,186 cases of apples and 1,238 cases of pears to South America! 45,281 cases of apples and 19,228 cases of pears to Sweden, and 26,717 cases of aPPI Th! O b2k a of a the fruit was exported under the Government guarantee of 10s. 6d. per case for « extra fancy " and "fancy" grades and 7s. per case for "good " grade The guarantee was also conditional In each exporter contributing l*d. per case on all fruit exported under the guarantee, the fund thu* created to be utilized to offset claims arising from market and transportation losses. In the event of the fund not being sufficient to meet such claims, the Government undertook to bear the balance of any expense that might be involved. The bulk of the 1933 shipments arrived in good condition Cox's Orange Pippin was, however, more or less affected with bitter pit which considerably affected the prices realized for this variety. While returns at the beginning of the season were fairiv Sactoryf the market later became glutted with very heavy consignments of apples from Australia with the result that a downward rush of prices followed, which remained at a low figure AUSLraiid, following figures show the total number of cases of apples and pears ™S rom the DoTmon dting the kfstlve years : 1929, 992,151 cases ; 1930, 1,330,891 cases ; 1931T349 895 cases; 1932, cases; 1933, 1,430 513 cases, . The trial shipment of 42 crates of peaches forwarded from Otago to London in April 1933 arrived at its destination in a firm condition. Reports to hand indicate that the appearance of the ruit wa quite good and colour satisfactory. It was, however, lacking in flavour, suggesting that the fruit had been shipped in a rather immature condition. Advices from London in respect to the 100 crates

50