H—3oa

As the above figures include honey from two seasons, the following is a brief summary from each season : Ist April, 1945, to 30th November, 1945 (balance of 1944-45 season) — Tons. Bulk honey .. .. .... 322 (6,241£ cases) Packed honey .. .. .. 39| Ist December, 1945, to 31st March, 1946 (portion of the present season) — Tons. Bulk honey .. .. .. .. 50| (961 cases) In the above figures it will be noticed that the price paid to the beekeeper is |d. per pound more than in the report of the previous year. Actually, |d. per pound was paid on the previous season's honey after our last report, and this additional £d. per pound has been carried on for the present season. The average grade for the year as at 31st March, 1946, is 93-50. This, compared with the previous year of 91-99, shows an increase and a return to the grading of two seasons ago. Last year, owing to the very small quantity the Honey Section received, it was found necessary to import for tobacco-manufacturers 43J tons of Australian bulk honey. This was sent direct to Messrs, W. D. and H. 0. Wills and Messrs. Godfrey Phillips, Ltd. VEGETABLES The Division, being responsible from the latter end of 1943 for the procurement of both fresh and dehydrated vegetables for consumption by the Armed Forces at home and in the Pacific Area, found it necessary, in view of the mounting tempo of the Japanese War in 1945, to increase greatly its procurement arrangements for 1946. The termination of hostilities occurred before all the 1945 produce had been harvested, but the potential increase in contract growing for 1946 is shown in the following table :

Details for 1946 are as follows :

The above figures do not include anticipated production by the Department of Agriculture under its Services Vegetable Production Scheme, produce which, on maturity, would have been handled by the Division.

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Year. Number of Contracts. Area, in Acres. Estimated Tonnage. 1945 1946 Potential increase 951 1,114 5,599 8,522 63,653 95,684 163 2,923 32,031* * 50-per-cent. increase.

Vegetable. Number of Contracts. Area, in Acres. Estimated Tonnage. Percentage Tonnage Increase. Cabbage Carrots Beetroot Cauliflower 430 157 84 4,386 2,990 699 447 50,796 36,862 3,802 4,224 87 15 73 1,114 8,522 95,684 50