H.—2l

1893. NEW ZEALAND.

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE. (REPORT OF SECRETARY FOR AGRICULTURE AND CHIEF INSPECTOR OF STOCK.)

Presented to both Houses of the General Assembly by Command of His Excellency.

The Secbetaby for Ageicultube and Chief Inspectoe of Stock to the Hon. the Ministee of Lands. Sic, — Department of Agriculture, Ist July, 1893. I have the honour to submit my report for the year ended 31st March, 1893. Since my last report the Agricultural and Dairy branches have been amalgamated with the Live-stock, and this report therefore covers a wider field. During the year a large amount of correspondence has passed between settlers and this office, and much valuable information issued. Several leaflets, with drawings of the bot fly, Bathhurst burr, Hessian fly, and pamphlets on fruit-spraying, dairying, &c, have been published and distributed. These publications contain a large amount of information, and have been well received by those for whom they are intended. Other leaflets and pamphlets are in course of preparation. Ceops. The grain crops were reported to be below the average. In many districts before harvesting they promised well, but in threshing the yield was deficient. The prices ruling are much below anything experienced before, and save in exceptional cases grain cannot be grown at a profit. This may to a certain extent be an advantage to the colony, as being the means of turning farmers' attention to other sources of profit not so exhausting to the soil. The extension of the dairying and pig-raising industries offers a sure means of utilizing the products of the farm. Hessian Fly. —This fly was reported from several districts, from Marton and Wairarapa districts in the North to the Clutha district in the South, the wet season being considered favourable for its propagation. The greatest loss experienced was in the Wairarapa. In the Marton district it has been known to exist for many years, but between 1888 and 1892 no great damage was sustained, owing no doubt to the dry seasons during these years, and the presence in large numbers of a parasitic fly which kept it in check; an endeavour will be made to secure specimens of the parasite for liberation in other affected districts. The Agent-General has also been written to on the subject. A small grub was reported to have attacked some of the oat-crops in the South, but not to any great extent. Rust also made its appearance in several places. Careful experiments are now being conducted in South Australia with wheats supposed to be rust-proof, and if these experiments turnout successfully an endeavour will be made to secure a quantity for seed. Seeds. —Many farmers are now turning their attention to the growing of clovers for seed, which the introduction of the humble-bee has enabled them to do. A fair crop may be put down at, say, 2001b. to 3001b. of seed per acre, selling at about 6d. per lb. when cleaned. A large quantity of cocksfoot seed is annually saved, Banks Peninsula still supplying the greater proportion. Bye-grass and meadow-fescue are also grown largely. Lately the growing of garden-seeds has been receiving attention, several Home seedsmen entering into arrangements with farmers to grow certain varieties. Potatoes. —These were reported only a fair crop, with a considerable second growth in several districts in the South—supposed to have been caused by the excessive amount of rain in the autumn. The market for potatoes is exceedingly limited this season, and the price correspondingly low. A trial-shipment of several of the newer sorts, viz., Magnum Bonum, Bruce, Imperator, Main Crop, Sutton's Early Begent, and Abundance were imported from Home, packed before being quite ripe in barrels. They were distributed as widely as possible, and although arriving rather late in the I—H. 21.