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DIVISION OF HORTICULTURE. REPORT OF J. A. CAMPBELL, DIRECTOR. The Fruitgrowing Industry. The weather conditions experienced during the 1937-38 fruit season were, generally speaking, favourable to the satisiactorv carrying-out of orchard operations. In the bulk of the commercial fruitgrowing areas the crop of apples and pears was above the average, some districts yielding heavy crops. A severe frost caused heavy losses in apple orchards in a portion of the Otago Central district, and damage to a lesser extent occurred from the same cause in the Marlborough district. The yield of stone-fruit promised to be a good one, but, unfortunately, the warm moist conditions at the time of ripening favoured the development of brown-rot. which considerably reduced the crop, chiefly peaches, in some localities. The crop of berry fruits —raspberries, strawberries, &c.—was a satisfactory one. Ordinary orchard diseases and pests were readily kept in check, although in some districts, owing to the favourable weather conditions, red mite, codling-moth and leaf-roller caterpillar were more than usually in evidence and caused a good deal of concern to the fruitgrower. With the exception of an outbreak in the Motueka district, fireblight was not conspicuous during the year. Arrangements are being made for that portion of the Waimea Commercial FruitgrowingDistrict to be brought under the Second Schedule of the Fireblight Regulations 1937. With the increased cost of fruit-production there is an indication that growers are gradually concentrating 011 the working of smaller areas, with the result that orchard operations are being carried out more thoroughly. The absolute necessity of producing only good fruit is realized by the majority of growers, and considerable efforts have been made during the year to attain that end. Increased attention is being paid to every phase of the industry, pruning and spraying have been more thorough, better methods of cultivation have been employed, the application of manure has received added attention, and budding and grafting to eliminate non-paying varieties have been increased. A further sign of progress has been the number of stationary spraying-plants installed and the acquisition of the latest type of fruit-grading machines. The Government has decided to extend the subsidy to apply to fruit sold during the 1937-38 fruit, season, growers to submit account sales monthly, and all commercial orchardists have been duly notified. The subsidy applies in cases where the average market return for fruit is below the assessed fair return. The amount paid to growers under the scheme in respect to last year's sales amounted to approximately £10,000. The growing of citrus fruits continues to attract considerable attention. The total area now under cultivation is approximately 2,000 acres (lemons 1,400 acres, oranges 600 acres), the bulk of which is in the Auckland, North Auckland, and Tauranga districts. The estimated production for the past season from commercial orchards was 140,000 cases lemons, 15,000 cases sweet oranges, and 30,000 cases New Zealand grapefruit. A further improvement is noticeable in the grading and packing of lemons placed on the local markets. A good demand exists for New Zealand grapefruit (Poorman orange), Morrison's seedless strain, which is held in high regard as a breakfast fruit. The co-operative citrus curing and packing shed at Kerikeri commenced operations in May last, and the matter of establishing similar premises in the Gisborne district is at present receiving the attention of growers in that locality. An outbreak of citrus canker occurred in the citrus orchards at Kerikeri. Steps were immediately taken to check the spread of the disease and affected trees were cut hard back. A thorough inspection was made of all citrus orchards in the Dominion and of nurseries supplying citrus trees, and in one nursery it was found necessary to destroy the whole of the citrus stock to prevent the risk of further contamination. The matter of compensation to growers and the nurserymen concerned is at present receiving the consideration of the Government. Passion-fruit culture, which a few seasons ago promised to develop into an important industry, especially in the North Auckland district, has shown a gradual falling off, and the quantity of fruit produced was considerably less than in former years. The closing-down of the processing factory at Kerikeri, and the absence of systematic spraying precautions on the part of growers for the control of disease affecting the vines, are factors that have been largely responsible for the reduced production. The cutting-out of a number of neglected orchards and other areas which had become unprofitable has slightly reduced the total area in commercial orchards in the Dominion, which now stands at approximately 26,500 acres. The asparagus experimental area established last year on the Napier Lagoon reclamation has received regular attention in the matter of drainage and cultivation, and the plants are doing reasonably well. The area has suffered to a certain extent by unfavourable soil conditions brought about by the excessive rains recently experienced in that district. Some 50 acres have been planted in asparagus by a private company in the vicinity of Hastings, and satisfactory progress is being made. In view of the heavy losses of fruit caused by frost damage in a number of the commercial fruitgrowing districts, steps were taken to obtain the latest information relative to frost-control. Arrangements were made for Mr. W. R. L. Williams, Orchard Instructor, Alexandra, who had had considerable experience on this subject, to proceed to California in April last for the purpose of making a full investigation into the frost-prevention methods as practised in the orchards in that State, and also in the States of Oregon and Washington. A valuable report covering his inquiries has been furnished by Mr. Williams, and the information obtained has also been disseminated by means of lectures which were given in the different fruitgrowing districts by Mr. Williams on his return. As a direct result of his visit to America many orchardists who had not previously protected their crops installed frost-prevention equipment, while others enlarged their outfits, and, where the orchard was properly equipped and the firing done satisfactorily, growers who before suffered losses had good crops.

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