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packed after it had fully cooled, and most of the fruit from the experiment was then sent overseas. An inspection of the fruit on arrival failed to indicate any differences in the results of treatments, and the whole consignment was reported as being in good condition. A portion of each sample was hand-graded for comparison with the balance, which was machinegraded. No evidence of injury in machine-grading was obtained, and the saving of grading costs by use of the machine was approximately 50 per cent. Wastage in Citrus Fruits. On behalf of the Australian Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, experimental shipments of Washington Navel and Valencia oranges were stored and examined at intervals for wastage by the Plant Diseases Division. Detailed reports were forwarded from time to time to the Australian investigators controlling the experiments. Examinations were also made of shipments of oranges from the Cook Islands on behalf of the Internal Marketing Division of the New Zealand Primary Products Marketing Department. One shipment from Rarotonga was found to contain 40 per cent, wastage, caused by the fungus Phytophthora citrophthora. A second shipment from Atiu showed up to 30 per cent, wastage, caused by the sour-rot fungus, Oospora citri-aurantii, introduced into the cases through the practice of including windfalls. In addition to the above, the Plant Diseases Division undertook work with chemical treatments for the control of the two moulds, Penicillium digitatum and P. italicum, on lemons in storage. Fruits were artificially injured, inoculated with mould spores, and hold in store. Unfortunately, the dry conditions under which the fruits were held prevented the development of mould, even in check fruits. Consequently, further work is held up until chambers in which temperature and relative humidity can be controlled are erected. Work on these is proceeding. Visit of Dr. A. J. M. Smith. In September, 1939, Dr. A. J. M. Smith, the noted Cambridge authority on refrigeration and biological engineering, was brought from South Africa to advise the New Zealand Government on matters connected with the development of refrigeration facilities for fruit. Every opportunity for investigation and conference was placed at his disposal, enabling him to supplement his previous knowledge and experience of refrigeration in New Zealand. A most detailed and valuable report has been received on the minimum extensions immediately needed to enable the fruit industry to function more efficiently, and included also is a recommendation for the provision of badly needed cold-storage experimental facilities in one of the commercial plants. It is to be hoped that effective action can be taken along the lines indicated by Dr. Smith, as this would result in a marked improvement in the quality of fruit for both export and local markets, and would prevent much of the economic loss that is at present frequently and unavoidably incurred. Future Experimental Programme. In view of wartime exigencies, two developments projected for the 1940 season may be noted here. One is the institution of a programme of orchard-storage experiments, designed to give information to enable the best methods of non-refrigerated storage to be adopted. If refrigerated space is required for meat and dairy-produce, very extensive use may have to be made of storage accommodation on the orchard, and it is essential that knowledge be available on the capabilities and limitations of this class of storage. The other development is the erection of a semi-commercial-scale refrigerated gas-store. This will enable the promising results already secured on the small experimental scale to be tried out on an adequate bulk scale, and from this more extended experience the fruit industry can be given reliable and fully substantiated data on this improved method of storage. The result will be that the New Zealand public will receive a very much higher grade article, especially in the latter part of the year, and much wastage that now occurs will be eliminated. TOBACCO RESEARCH. Advisory Committee. —Sir Theodore Rigg (Chairman), Dr. E. Marsden, Messrs. W. K. Dallas, N. J. Adamson, L. J. Schmitt, H. L. Wise, lan Hamilton, C. C. Nasli, F. A. Hamilton, B. T. Rowling, J. F. Balck, J. M. Allan (Tobacco Research Officer and Secretary). During the year five meetings of the Committee were held in connection with the work of the Tobacco Research Station. Further progress has been made with the equipment of the Station at Umukuri. A glasshouse, tool-shed, garage, and pumping-station have been erected and an irrigation plant installed. Arrangements have now been finalized for the erection of a laboratory building which will provide office and laboratory facilities for the work of the Station. The erection of this building should complete the more important requirements of the Station for the conduct of the field experimental programme. Good progress has been made in carrying out an extensive programme of tobacco research. The investigations have been carried out partly at the Field Station at Umukuri and partly in the laboratories of the Cawthron Institute.

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