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of the liming tests 011 lemons at Tauranga at the end of the first six-year period were to the effect that the '* limed " plots yielded 1,298 lb. of fruit per tree, as compared with 1,161 lb. per tree from the " unlimed " plots. The difference in favour of lime is not statistically significant. lhe experiments laid down three years ago to determine the effect of concentrated application of fertilizers around the trees in comparison with broadcasting methods and also the injection of fertilizers in solution into the soil have so far yielded no results. Thanks are due to the co operating orchardists for their continued interest in the trials. The trees in the majority of the experimental plots of East Mailing pip and stone fruit-tree rootstocks established four years ago, and also those on seedling stocks commenced earlier, a.re making satisfactory progress and in time should provide some useful information for the benefit of orchardists. These trees generally have done better than those worked on Northern Spy stock. No outstanding progress has been made during the year in the experimental plots of hazel nuts (Coryluft maxima) established some four years ago. The carrving-out of experimental work at the Research Orchard, Nelson, has been continued in co operation with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research. The experiments include both spraying and manurial, fruit variety tests and rootstock trials. Viticulture and Wine-making. Unseasonable weather was experienced in the majority of districts where outdoor grapes are grown, and this in conjunction with the setback to the vines as a result of salt sprav damage from the cyclonic storm in February, 1936, considerably affected the yield of wine grapes. Humid conditions in the Auckland Province, especially in the North, were favourable to the development of fungous diseases and rendered control difficult. The ravages of birds were greater than has been the case for a number of years past, probably due to a lack of their usual foods, the grapes being attacked as soon as they had formed. Even allowing for a considerable number of vines that commenced bearing during the year it is estimated that the total quantity of wine produced from the season's vintage will not exceed 134,000 gallons. This, although in excess of that of last year, which was a poor season, is some 14,000 gallons below the returns for the year 1934-35. Outdoor table grapes also suffered from the effects of the weather, and although a smaller crop was produced the fruit was of a better quality than that of the previous year. Prices realized for Albany Surprise, which is the most popular outdoor table variety of grape, were considered to be satisfactory to the grower. An extension in the planting of table grapes has taken place in the Auckland, Gisborne, Hawke's .Bay, Nelson, and Otago districts. Growers of grapes under glass appear to be well satisfied with the season's results, both crops and prices being good. Further vineries have been erected and planted with vines suitable for the indoor production of grapes. Cider-making. The production of commercial cider from the 1936 crop of apples is estimated at 47,000 gallons, an increase of some 1,700 gallons as compared with the previous year's figures. Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station (Lower Waikato). The continuous moist weather conditions were favourable to the growth of grass and enabled more than the usual number of stock to be pastured for fattening purposes. From the sales of live-stock, wool, and skins £401 18s. sd. was received. Approximately two and a half acres of scrub and wattle were cleared and sown in grass prior to being planted in vines and three and a half acres of hay harvested for stock-feeding purposes. A late cold spring and a cool summer retarded growth in the vineyard, and this, in addition to the damage caused by the heavy storm of the previous year, resulted in the season's crop of grapes being considerably below the average. It is estimated that as a result of these unfavourable conditions the quantity of wine produced will not exceed 9,000 gallons, which is a considerable reduction on last year's figures. There has been an increased demand for wine manufactured at the Station, the total sales for the year amounting to 15,125 gallons which realised £8,031. Orders for vines and vine-cuttings showed an increase, and large quantities were sent out durin<* the season to all parts of the .Dominion. -The financial position of the Station is satisfactory, receipts exceeding the general working-expenses by some £3,000. Tobacco-culture. The total area planted in tobacco for commercial purposes during the 1936-37 season was approximately 3,776 acres. This shows an increase of about 1,000 acres as compared with the figures for the previous year, the main increase being in the Motueka district, where some 3,350 acres were cultivated. The acreage in other districts was Nelson 250 acres and Auckland 176 acres. It is estimated there are 750 growers engaged in the industry in the Motueka district, giving work to some 3,500 persons during the major part of the season. The weather conditions experienced were not conducive to the production of the best-quality leaf. In a portion of the Motueka area considerable damage to the crop was caused by a severe frost, and the flooding of the Motueka River rendered a large quantity of leaf valueless "in a number "of plantations adjacent to the river by deposits of silt, the balance of the crop being reduced from first to second- or third-grade leaf.

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