H—29

The Extension and Horticulture Divisions undertook an economic survey of the commericial production of raspberries at Motueka, Tapawera, Canterbury, Otago, Hawkes Bay, Masterton, Palmerston North, and Utiku. Sub-tropical fruits are grown in Auckland Province. They include Chinese gooseberries, tree tomatoes, passion-fruit, and feijoa. Sub-tropical Fruits : The estimated production of these fruits during 1948 was : —-

Tree-tomato plantations in the sub-tropical districts show infection from some virus diseases. Brown-spot and grease-spot on passion-fruit continue to cause heavy losses of fruit in North Auckland. Vegetables Under the Commercial Gardens Registration Act, 1943, commercial market-gardeners register their gardens and pay fees on a prescribed scale. The fees collected by the Division, after deduction of costs of collection and administration, are paid to the Dominion Council of Commercial: Gardeners to assist in the sound development of commercial market-gardening. Last year 3,300 growers registered their gardens, covering a total area of 17,630 acres, divided into 16,670 not under glass and 960 under glass. Districts with more than 1,000 acres are : Acres. Acres. Auckland .. .. .. 3,889 Palmerston North .. .. 1,330 Hawkes Bay .. .. 2,093 Timaru .. .. .. 1,263 Christchurch .. .. 1,878 Nelson .. .. .. 1,254 Pukekohe .. .. 1,731 Market-gardening.—A Dominion summary of the area used in 1948 for the. production of the principal vegetables shows the following acfeages in each crop : Acres. Acres. French beans .. .. 316 Lettuce .. .. .. 1,300 Bunner beans .. .. 238 Parsnip .. .. .. 358 Beet-root .. .. .. 253 Peas .. .. .. 3,347 Carrot .. .. .. 933 Pumpkin .. .. .. 1,116 Cabbage .. .. ... 2,334 Indoor tomatoes ~. .. 440 Cauliflower .. .. .. 2,174 Outdoor tomatoes .. .. 1,570 The major district for french-bean production is Hawkes Bay, with 140 acres. Other principal acreages of french beans' centres are : Acres. Auckland .. .. .. .. .. 70 Manawatu .. .. .. .. 33 Pukekohe .. .. .. .. .. 25

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ChineseGooseberries. Tree Tomatoes. Passion-fruit. 1 Feijoa. Kaikohe Auckland Tauranga Manawatu Tons. 8 9 15 . 1 Tons. 17 131 94 Tons. 26 51 29 Tons. 1 11 Totals.. 32 242 106 19£