11. 2!)

Nurseries Six hundred nurseries were registered throughout the Dominion for the year, an increase of 16 registrations compared with last year. All nurseries were inspected, and were generally found to he in a satisfactory condition. The stocks of many plants were depleted, especially the stocks of most varieties of fruit-trees. Market-gardening Industry In its organization the market-gardening industry is now on a sounder footing as a result of the coming into operation of the Commercial Gardens' Registration Act, 1943. During the year 2,292 registrations were effected, involving approximately 17,000 acres. The supply of vegetable seeds has been well maintained through the activities of seed-merchants, the co-operation of the Ministry of Supply, and the helpfulness of overseas authorities. This Division has continued its co-operation with the Fields Division in the Services' vegetableprojects operations. These projects provide a considerable tonnage of vegetables for the Armed Forces, including the American Services, and much of the supply, fresh and dehydrated, is shipped overseas. Instructors in the field are making closer contact with the vegetable-growers in order to encourage production and to deal with problems of diseases affecting crops. The growing of tomatoes, especially those suitable for processing, is now an expanding industry. In order to meet the increased demand for vegetables, the Government, through the Internal Marketing Division, entered into contracts with many gardeners to grow basic vegetables such as carrots, parsnips, cabbages, and swedes. These vegetables are standardized into grades, and on delivery have to be inspected by an officer of this Division. The officers of the Division have been actively associated with the encouragement of home gardeners through the " Dig for Victory " campaign to grow more and better vegetables for their use. Emphasis has been laid upon planning the garden to ensure that a variety of vegetables is available throughout the year. The assistance rendered in conducting lectures, demonstrations, shows, and exhibitions by members of the respective committees associated with the campaign and by those who prepared papers for the radio is gratefully acknowledged. Viticulture : Wine and Cider Making There has been no reduction in the area under outdoor grapes. Owing to shortage of buildingmaterial, no new glasshouses have been constructed. The pests and diseases of vines and grapes generally have been kept satisfactorily under control. The rains experienced during the vintage period (March and April) caused some loss of grapes. Small birds were also troublesome in most localities. Building of wineries, cellars, and distilleries was continued during the year, especially in Hawke's Bay, Waikato, and Henderson districts. A further four distillation licenses were issued by the Customs Department. The strong demand for New-Zealand-made wines has continued. Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station. —The Horticultural Station at Te Kauwhata continues to make steady progress, and improvements to buildings and plant have been made during the year. An extension is being made in the area under grapes. A successful year was experienced in the sale of wines produced at Te Kauwhata, and the demand is in excess of the mature wine available. Tobacco Industry Shortage of labour and material is preventing any large-scale increase in tobacco-production, but the acreage planted is being maintained at about 3,000 acres per year. The 1942-43 season provided a record yield of 3,185,000 lb. of tobacco. The tobacco-manufacturing companies are maintaining contact with their respective contracting growers, while the Tobacco Board and the Tobacco Research Station at Riwaka have contributed considerably to the stabilization of this industry. Hor Industry No material change has occurred in the hop industry during the year, the area under cultivation remaining at approximately 650 acres. The hop gardens are being well maintained and are not affected by war conditions. Harvesting labour has been sufficient, and has been recruited by the National Service Department. The yield for the current season is estimated to be in the vicinity of 2,000 bales, which is about 60 per cent, of a normal crop. Beekeeping Industry Climatic conditions generally were favourable for honey-production during the past season, with the exception of Canterbury, where the pastures in some localities dried up much earlier than usual. In Westland, also, the long dry spell reduced the honey flow in the rata, which greatly reduced the main crop of honey. On the whole, however, the crop of honey and beeswax for the whole Dominion is above the average. There are at present registered 5,646 beekeepers in New Zealand. The general trend is a slight reduction in the number of hives operated by commercial apiarists, owing to insufficient labour available, but there is an increase in the number of persons taking up beekeeping on a domestic or semi-commercial basis. The departmental grading of honey has received the usual attention.

Approximate. Cost of Paper.—Preparation, not given ; printing (605 copies), £2

By Authority: E. V. Paul, Government Printer, Wellington. —1944,

Price 6d.]

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