H; —29.

PIG-KEEPING. Previous reference has been made in this report to the welcome evidence that dairy-farmers not only are obtaining a more thorough knowledge of the valuable potentialities in pig-keeping as a companion venture to butterfat production, but also are applying this knowledge in their farm practice, the concrete result of this being the striking increase in pig-meat production that is in progress. During the year under review, as in recent years, this Department has carried out a considerable amount of investigational work relative to pig-keeping. Various diverse methods of pasture utilization by pigs have been the subject of formal investigation and of observation in the field, and the Department is now able to indicate which of the methods considered have been attended with most success and are most suitable in practice. The growing on the farms for use by pigs of grain crops and of crops which may serve as alternatives to pastures has also been studied, and while much valuable information about the economic use of such crops has been obtained further investigation is desirable. Diseases of pigs have been the subject of considerable investigation, which already has yielded valuable information, though further work in certain directions is desirable. In this work field officers of the Live-stock Division have at times co-operated with the Wallaceville Laboratory of that Division. Some detailed information about the work is given in the appended report of the Director of the Live-stock Division, and that of the Officer in Charge of the Wallaceville Laboratory. An interesting phase of the work is that relative to tuberculosis in pigs. The justification for expenditure on such work is clear from the fact that tuberculosis was recorded in over 16 per cent, of the pigs that came under inspection. Another interesting phase is that relative to the infections which are responsible for a large proportion of the cases of pleurisy and pneumonia in pigs—disorders which field experience shows to be associated with bad feeding and housing. It is recognized that to enable the results of the current investigational work to be fully exploited it is advisable to supplement this work by farm-management studies designed to determine the economic scope and nature of pig-keeping on dairy-farms, having due regard to such matters as the size of the farms, soil types, labour utilization, cropping possibilities, &c. In short, it is necessary to consider the farm as a unit, which is what the farmer himself does, and to determine how butterfat production and pig-meat production may be combined into a farming unit with best economic effect. POULTRY-KEEPING. In general the poultry industry had a satisfactory year except for the fact that disease has been more in evidence than usual — e.g., an outbreak of fowl-pox which occurred at Auckland was fairly widespread and serious in its effects. During the past season, 11,915 cases (357,450 dozen) of eggs were exported to the United Kingdom in comparison with 11,527 cases (345,600 dozen) in the previous season. The industry, through the Poultry Board, is characterized by energetic endeavour designed to bring about improved business conditions and practices within the industry, and in this direction the Poultry Board and the Department of Agriculture have been in consultation about such matters as Government subsidy or guarantee ; chick-sexing in respect to which examinations are conducted by the Department—restrictions on uncertified persons undertaking chick-sexing are suggested ; Stock-foods Bill; chilled egg (marketing) regulations; and research relative to poultry diseases. Considerable research relative to poultry diseases has been carried out, and expansion of this work is contemplated. Some detailed information about current investigation of poultry diseases is given in the appended reports of the Director of the Live-stock Division and of the Officer in Charge of the Wallaceville Veterinary Laboratory. Fifteen candidates presented themselves at the first chick-sexing examination in'this country which was conducted at Wallaceville Poultry Station during the year, and three second-class certificates were granted. Wallaceville Poultry Station continues to discharge several distinctly useful functions: it demonstrates the best known methods of poultry-management, and during the year it conducted experiments relative to various aspects of poultry-culture, including feeding-practice. The results of two trials were recorded in the Journal of Agriculture. BEEKEEPING. Apiary registrations were fairly numerous during the year, and approximately 8,500 apiaries are now registered. The honey exported for the year ended 31st March, 1936, was 10,446 cwt., valued at £34,258 ; the corresponding figures for the previous year were 5,427 cwt., valued at £17,844. Grading of honey for export was carried out along lines fixed two years ago by the Honey Control Board. The grading system, which is working smoothly, eliminates the export of honey of low grade, which endangered the high overseas status of New Zealand honey.

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