H.—29,

As a result of the previous year's crop (1938) being a good one, a larger quantity of Nelson-grown leaf was available for export overseas, and some 202 tierces, of a total net weight of 171,995 Ib., were forwarded to London in three separate consignments. Included in this quantity were 31 tierces (26,280 lb.) of Pongakawa leaf. The first shipment went forward per " Zealandia " on the 16th August, and consisted of 49 tierces, containing a total net weight of 39,715 lb. leaf. This consignment arrived in reasonably good condition, and the prices realized were considered fairly satisfactory. The second shipment of 103 tierces (90,2001b.), was forwarded per " Port Jackson " on the 28th October ; and the third consignment, of 50 tierces (42,080 lb.), per " Fordsdale " on the 10th December (included 31 tierces = 26,280 lb. Pongakawa leaf). Unfortunately, it was found on arrival in London that the leaf in these latter two shipments was more or less damaged by an excess of moisture, and its condition was such as to be unacceptable to buyers. As it was considered it would be detrimental to the good name already established for New Zealand leaf on the Home market to endeavour to find a sale for this leaf elsewhere, it has been decided to have these two consignments returned to the Dominion for reconditioning and ultimate sale. The bulk of the leaf exported was treated through the Proctor machine at the newly established Government tobacco reconditioning store at Motueka, which was officially opened on tlxe 25th July last. Hop-culture. The 1938-39 season has been a trying one for the hop-growers in the Nelson District where the bulk of the crop is grown. Unfavourable growing-conditions experienced up to the end of December, followed by a prolonged spell of dry weather, greatly retarded the vines, and has resulted in the crop being a very light one. It is doubtful if the total production will be much in excess of two thousand bales, as compared with some four thousand bales for the previous season. The following shows the quantities and values of hops exported from the Dominion during the past five years ended 31st March :— Cwt. Va £ lue ' 1935 .. .. .. 3,627 26,522 1936 .. .. .. 3,436 22,684 1937 .. .. 4,258 28,495 1938 .. .. .. 1,856 12,385 1939 .. .. .. 2,814 17,042 (1938 season crop). Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. The New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, now known as the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture, has been concerned, with various matters of considerable importance to horticulture and fruitgrowing during the year. A matter which created much interest was the holding of Horticultural Week and the National Horticultural Show at New Plymouth in January last. This included the annual conferences of the Horticultural Trades' Association, the Seedsmen's Association, the Association of Superintendents of Parks and Reserves, and of the Royal New Zealand Institute of Horticulture. An outstanding remit at the Institute Conference was one advocating the production of more vegetable and flower seeds in the Dominion which received a very considerable amount of support, and a committee composed of seedsmen and growers was set up to consider ways and means of carrying out the proposal. The annual examinations of the Institute attract a good type of student, and indicate that the efforts of the Institute in this connection cannot fail to be rewarded by a general raising of the standard of horticultural achievement in the Dominion. The Loder Cup for 1938 was awarded to Mrs. Knox Gilmer, Wellington, whose outstanding interest in encouraging the protection and cultivation of the New Zealand flora is so well known. Bledisloe Silver Challenge Cup. The above-mentioned cup was originally presented by Lord Bledisloe, during his term of office as Governor-General of New Zealand, to the New Zealand fruit industry for competition at the Imperial Fruit Show, Southern Hemisphere, held in London. This section of the Imperial Fruit Show was discontinued some five years ago> and Lord Bledisloe agreed to allow the cup to be competed for at the autumn national shows of the Auckland, Wellington, Canterbury, and Dunedin Horticultural Societies. The competition is for a special class of two cases of apples packed and finished as for export—the variety to be selected by the Society holding the competition and only that variety is allowed to be exhibited. The last competition took place in connection with the Wellington Horticultural Society's Autumn Show held in Wellington on the 27th April, 1938, and the cup on that occasion was awarded to Mr. J. R. Laing, Riverside Orchard, 1 Clyde, Otago.

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