H.—29

27

grape crop and seriously damaged the potato crop. Apricots were a total failure, but all the other varieties of fruits bore good crops. Owing to injury by frosts the grape crop was a light one. The whole of the orchard was divided up into blocks for various spraying experiments, and a pert-ion erf a neighbouring orchard was taken over for the same' purpose. Very comprehensive tests were carried out for the control of brown-rot and red mite. In the vegetable-garden a, few trials were carried out, but on ae:count erf the: dry we>ather the results were not satisfactory. Tests with different varieties of tomatoes were carried out, and the results were fairly satisfactory. Seveiel demonstrations in ore-hard cultivation, spraying, &c, were carried out during the year, and two lie'ld days held under the: auspices of the Hawke's Bay Fruitgrowers' Association. There was a good attendance of fruitgrerwers e>n each occasion. The unfavourable weather was rather against se:edgerminatiern in the herb-garden. Nevertheless some varieties have made, satisfactory progress, Tauranga (Bay of Plenty). Good progress has been made with the; various operations at this station. Great interest- is being taken in the citrus-testing area. This is evidenced by the number of people' from other districts who have visited the station seeking information. The trees are making good growth and commencing to carry fair crops of fruit. Tests are also being made: in the growing of pomegranates, guavas, and the avocado or alligator pear. The latter promises to succeed well in the district, the trees making good progress notwithstanding a very cold winter. Trials with different varieties of maize, kumeras, and tomatoes were made, during the year. Spraying tests for the control of orchard pests and diseases were continued. I'apanui Experimental Orchard, Ohristchukch. Experimental work, which is a leading feature at this orchard, has been pushed on during the' year. The' results of the various spraying tests, &c, are: publisher! from time ter time. Fruitgrowers in the' district are' showing great interest in the various operations, and the demonstrations given periodically are largely atterrded. AvoNHEAu Training-farm. A farm under the repatriation scheme, in conjunction with this Department, has been established at Avonhead for training returned soldiers. The portion of the farm coming within the scope of this Division up to the present is about 9 acres, erf which approximately 4 acres have been planted in fruit-trees. Shelter-belts have been set out, and a nursery planted, with currants, gooseberries, strawberries, &c, preparatory to planting out. The cultivation of vegetables is also being attended to. School of Horticulture. In my last report I drew attention to the urgent need of establishing a Dominion school of horticulture. The, question has again been brought up by fruitgrowers' associations and others, and it is hoped something will be done in connection with this important matter at an early date. Hops. According to figures supplied by the Customs Department 1,946 cwt. of hops, valued at £14,903, were exported during the, year. The following figures show the quantity and value of hops exported from the Dominion during the last five years ending 31st March : 1916, 4,425 cwt,, £17,742 ; 1917, 4,449 cwt., £17,708; 1918, 2,134 cwt., £9,541 ; 1919, 2,294 cwt., £12,830; 1920, 1,946 cwt, £14,903. Imported Fruit. The following figures show the quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products imported into New Zealand during the year, the previous year's figures being also quoted for comparison :

Inspection of Imported Fruit, Plants, and Vegetables. The: examination of all fruit, plants, vegetables, &c, imported into the Dominion during the year lias been carefully carried out at the ports of entry—Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch, Dunedin, and Bluff. The Fruit Inspectors report that the bulk of the consignments arrived in good order and condition. It was found necessary to destroy a number of lines for fruit-fly infection, and a fairly considerable quantity of fruit affected with live scale and mealy bug had to be fumigated before being allowed to land. A good deal of the fruit from the Coerk Islands was found to be in bad order on arrival. This is attributed ter a large extent to the unsuitability of the: boat at present employed in the Island fruit-trade. An improvement is noticeable in the quality of bananas received from Fiji. Oranges and mandarins from Australia varied considerably in quality. Canadian apples arrived in first-class condition.

1919-2( 1918-: 9. Quantity. Value. Quantity. Value. Fruit, fresh, dutiable . . ,, ,, free ,, bottled and preserved ,, dried Lemon and orange peel in brine Fruit pulp and partially preserved fruit . . 1,891,017 lb. 19,039,317 lb. 64,630doz. 9,450,103 lb. 132,433 lb. 195,042 lb. £ 33,972 150,207 38,225 311,312 2,486 3,679 1,381,061 lb. 18,808,525 lb. J47,380doz. 8,070,001 lb. 115,626 lb. 67,686 lb. £ 20,249 135.464 59,821 221,105 2,100 1,532 Totals 539,881 440,271