H,— 29.

The tobacco crop as a whole did not grade out as high as was anticipated, and the average price obtained was somewhat lower than that ruling in previous seasons. One of the reasons of this was probably due to the fact that much of the leaf had been damaged by hail, &c., prior to harvesting. A further experimental shipment of Nelson-grown leaf consisting of eighty-five tierces of a total quantity of 78,803 lb. was forwarded to London per m.v. "Port Hobart " in October last. The experience gained from the previous year's consignment was of considerable value in connection with the preparation of the 1936 shipment, with the result that the leaf arrived at its destination in very good condition and the prices realized were considered to be very satisfactory. Arrangements are in hand for the forwarding overseas of a consignment of 1937 best-quality leaf as soon as the season's crop is available. Operations have been continued at the Pongakawa Tobacco Settlement, Bay of Plenty, where 130 acres were planted in tobacco. Owing, however, to the bulk of the settlers not proving satisfactory as tobacco-growers it is probable this settlement will be discontinued as a tobacco-producing area and utilized for other purposes. The raising of pure strains of tobacco-seed on the experimental plot set out for the purpose at Auckland has been carried out during the year. Hop-culture. The past season was not a favourable one for hop-growing. Wet weather conditions during the growing period had a detrimental effect, with the result that there was a considerable decrease in the quantity of hops produced in comparison with the 1935 season. The quality of the crop was also affected by the moist conditions, there being a fairly high percentage of second-grade hops. With the heavy moisture content a great deal of difficulty was experienced by growers both in harvesting and drying operations. In view of the lower production it is anticipated that prices will approximate those of last year, which gave a satisfactory return to the grower. The following figures show the quantities and values of hops exported from the Dominion during the last five years ended 31st March. Cwt. Value. 1933 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,192 13,793 1934 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,872 17,734 1935 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,627 26,522 1936 .. .. .. .. .. .. 3,436 22,684 1937 .. .. .. .. .. .. 4,258 28,495 Tung-trees. Reports to hand indicate that practically no further plantings of tung-trees took place during the year, and it would appear that very little success has so far been obtained with the areas already planted for commercial purposes. Adequate shelter and a reasonably good soil are necessary factors in the successful raising of tung-trees. New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. Good work continues to be carried out by the New Zealand Institute of Horticulture in the interests of horticulture generally. An interesting feature is the training of young men and women in all branches of this work, and several who sat for the examination were successful in gaining the diploma issued by the Institute. The joint winners of the Loder Cup for the year 1936 were Messrs. George Simpson and John Scott Thomson, of Dunedin. The late Lord Wakehurst (Mr. Gerald W. Loder) was greatly interested in New Zealand native trees and plants and presented this valuable cup for the purpose of " encouraging the protection and cultivation of the incomparable flora of the Dominion." The cup was first competed for in 1929. Registration and Inspection op Nurseries. All nurseries raising plants for sale as prescribed in the regulations relating to the registration of nurseries were inspected in the respective districts. The Inspectors report that the bulk of the areas are kept in good order and the quality of the plants raised well up to standard. There has been an increasing demand for nursery stock of all kinds, especially shelter-trees and ornamental shrubs. Some 588 nurseries were registered during the year, registration fees amounting to £588. This is a slight decrease on the previous year's figures, a number of the smaller nurserymen having given up business for reasons of ill-health, &c. Orchard Registration and Orchard-tax. Changes in ownership and alterations in areas either by increase or decrease necessitated a considerable number of fresh registrations during the year. The total number of registered orchards (orchards from which fruit is sold) in the Dominion is 6,203, comprising 2,741 taxable and 3,462 non-taxable.

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