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The quantity of grape wine produced in New Zealand since 1940 is as follows: — Gallons. 1940 .. .. .. .. .. 185,000 1941 ... .. .. .. .. 186,000 1942 .. .. .. .. .. 207,000 1943 .. .. .. .. .. 309,000 1944 .. .. .. .. .. 348,000 1945 .. .. .. .. .. 357,000 1946 .. .. .. .. .. 389,000 During the year instruction was given to grape-growers on many phases of viticulture. Winemakers visiting the Horticultural Station at Te Kauwhata were given an insight into modern winemaking methods and information on various features of cellar layout, machinery, distillation, &c. Advice was also given on vine varieties under trial, pruning, manuring, spraying, cultivation, and soil erosion. CidermaJcing.—The estimated production of 32 recorded cidermakers is 90,000 gallons. Te Kauwhata Horticultural Station.—Adverse weather conditions during the past spring resulted in a light grape crop this season. Emplacement of vines which have served their purpose in the experimental area of the vineyard, together with the planting-up of the land previously in grass, is proceeding satisfactorily, and young vines are making good progress. The nursery, in which some 12,000 vine cuttings are being tended, has been transferred to a new location. Experimental work has been undertaken in connection with such problems as shy-setting varieties to improve the yield by practising different systems of pruning and cincturing at certain periods of the growth of the vines. A number of experimental wines were made from individual grape varieties to determine their properties for producing quality wines. Further quantities of apple wine have been made from apples below the grade suitable for marketing. The wine previously released demonstrated that a good wholesome apple wine could be made in the Dominion. Fruit Cool Storage The cool storage space for fruit has an estimated capacity of 1,136,650 bushel cases and is distributed as follows :

The stocks of pip-fruit held in cool store on the 30th June, 1946, amounted to : Bushel Cases. Apples .. .. .. .. .. 891,183 Pears .. .. .. .. .. 60,214 Total .. .. .. .. 951,397 The quantity held in shed storage in orchards was approximately 90,196 bushel cases of apples.

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— Public Cool Storage. Growers' Private Cool Storage. Total. North Island 797,000 63,800 860,800 South Island 199,480 76,370 275,850 Totals 996,480 140,170 1,136,650