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From the economic aspect it should be noted that the wine industry directly and indirectly provides employment for a large volume of labour in the vineyards and wineries, and also in the bottle-manufacturing industry, case-making, coopering, printing, and other trades. Owing to the control of wine importations, there has been an increased demand for New Zealand wines in recent years. To meet this demand some wines of inferior quality were marketed, but with conditions now returning to normal it may be expected that only wines of good quality will be readily saleable. Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station The grape crop at Te Kauwhata during the year 1945-46 was light, due to adverse climatic conditions. The spring was colder than usual, and although rain fell on a large number of days, the actual rainfall was not unusually high. A number of frosts were experienced, the last one being on 9th December. There was almost complete absence of fungous diseases in the vineyards this year, due to the summer weather conditions and to the spray programme carried out. In the sales of wine another successful year was again experienced. A supply of apple wine made some six years ago for experimental purposes was released for sale and proved most popular. In view of this, further quantities were again made this year. A small area of the land previously used for grazing of sheep has been prepared for planting out in vines. Vegetable-production Vegetables have been produced on a substantially increased acreage, and commercial vegetable-production is gradually being adjusted to normal peacetime requirements. Regular, periodic inspections of vegetable-producing areas have been carried out. Registrations In accordance with the provisions of the Commercial Gardens Registration Act, 1943, registration of commercial vegetable-producing areas during 1945-46 were 2,482, involving 17,600 acres, 600 acres of which were devoted to the production of glasshouse crops. Standard Grades In co-operation with the Standards Institute and representatives of the Dominion Council of Commercial Gardeners, a satisfactory basis of standards for certain specified vegetables has been agreed upon. Tobacco Industry The production of tobacco, which is confined to the Nelson Province, shows an increase this year. The comparative figures for the 1944 and 1945 harvesting years are : 1944. 1945. Acreage cropped .. .. .. 3,093 3 r 383 Poundage sold .. .. .. .. 3,100,000 3,288,968 Number of licensed tobacco-growers .. 414 487 The industry is now soundly established, and further increase in production is largely dependent on availability of suitable land and of seasonal labour, especially female labour. During the year 68 male and 236 female seasonal employees for harvesting the leaf were secured through the National Service Department. Growers are required to obtain from the Tobacco Board a license to grow tobacco which is produced under contract to one of the several tobacco-manufacturing companies.

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