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The scope of the scheme is continually being extended, and, while fluctuations may occur in the quantities of any individual seed being certified due to seasonal conditions and alterations in the market requirement, the total quantity of seed being certified is increasing at a steady and very appreciable rate. The following table sets out the total quantity of the various seeds certified during 1945 : Perennial rye-grass .. .. .. 405,656 bushels. Italian rye-grass .. .. .. 221,807 bushels. HI rye-grass .. .. .. 6,150 bushels. Cocksfoot .. .. .. .. 443,966 lb. Brown-top .. .. .. .. 594,258 lb. • White clover .. .. .. 1,655 ,481 lb. Montgomery red clover .. .. 292,356 lb. Broad red clover .. .. .. 15,399 lb. Seed wheat.. .. .. .. 25,690 bushels. Sweet blue lupin .. .. ... 617 bushels. Rape .. .. .. .. 239,098 Ib. *Turnip .. .. .. .. 164,172 Ib. *Swede .. .. .. .. 122,584 Ib. Chou moellier .. .. 4,422 lb. *Mangel .. .. .. .. 4,071 lb. Onion seed .. .. .. 9,830 lb. Seed potatoes .. .. .. 3,575 tons. * This seed is termed " Government Approved." Production of Brassica Seeds. —Arising out of war conditions the Department organized the production locally of the Dominion's full requirements of turnip, swede, rape, chou moellier, kale, and mangel seeds. Owing to the problems associated with the production of these seeds, it was deemed advisable for the seed crops to be grown under close supervision, and arrangements were made for certain merchants to undertake commercial seed-production from selected stock raised by the Plant Research Bureau of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research or by this Department. This procedure has enabled New Zealand to become self-supporting in her requirements of these seeds, and even to develop a small export trade in rape seed. The operations require closer supervision through all stages than is the case with other crops. In the case of turnips, swedes, kale, and mangel seed, where the selections available are not yet claimed to be superior to the stocks previously imported, the term " Government Approved " is used as a description rather than the.term " Certified." In view of the success which has been achieved in the production of these seeds and the fact that already in the case of rape and chou moellier improved strains have been developed, it is intended to continue local production and to concentrate on the raising of strains and varieties more suited to New Zealand's requirements. The work will require to be carefully controlled, both to maintain quality and to ensure that production is in line with consumption, and accordingly it is proposed to continue the operations through selected mercantile firms who are in a position to handle the growing and wholesale distribution of the seed. Exports and Imports of Seeds. —Control over the export of seeds has been continued in order to ensure that, despite the great demand and high prices offering from overseas markets, the local market has not been denuded of supplies. It is the general policy, once local requirements are assured, to permit free export through mercantile channels of all locally grown seeds, in accordance with sales made on overseas markets. The recommendations of the Combined Food Board, however, in relation to the supply of seeds to certain European countries are given effect to through the export-control system. Import control of seeds has been governed by the necessity of keeping overseas purchases at a minimum, while at the same time ensuring that seeds essential to the welfare of New Zealand farming, if available overseas, are imported in sufficient quantity to meet local needs..

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