25

H.—29

Experiments have been undertaken in the curing of citrus fruits. This matter is of the utmost importance to the citrus industry, and with a view to solving the problem of successful lemon-curing as early as possible an experimental lemon-curing house has been erected in which to carry out the work. Hops. According to figures supplied by the Customs Department 2,134 cwt. of hops, valued at £9,541, were exported during the year. This shows a big decrease, as compared with the previous year, and is largely due to want of shipping-space. The following figures show the quantity and value of hops exported from the Dominion during the last six years ending 31st March : 1913, 2,340 cwt., value £20,698; 1914, 5,152 cwt., value £26,430; 1915, 3,216 cwt., value £20,786; 1916, 4,425 cwt., value £17,742 ; 1917, 4,449 cwt., value £17,708 ; 1918, 2,134 cwt., value £9,541. Imported Fruit. The following figures supplied by the Customs Department show the quantity of fresh fruit and fruit products imported into New Zealand during the year. The previous year's figures are also quoted for comparison.

Inspection of imported Fruit, Plants, and Vegetables. With the exception of Auckland, the Fruit Inspectors report a big decrease in the quantity of fruit imported at the ports of entry during the year. This, no doubt, has been due to the disorganization in shipping on account of the war. The number of cases of fruit which arrived at Auckland was, however, considerably in excess of that of the previous year, the reason for this being that the bulk of the fruit from the Cook Islands and Fiji was sent direct to this port for examination. The bulk of imported fruit arrived in fairly good condition. Bananas from Fiji were, however, of very poor quality, in many instances being only half-grown. Dishonest packing was also in evidence, small and inferior fruit being placed in the centre of the cases and topped off with a. better class of fruit. Several lines of oranges and mandarins from Sydney arrived in more or less bad order. Apples from Canada arrived in splendid order, well packed and clean and free from disease. The condemnations of fruit from the Cook Islands for fruit-fly infection were considerably less this year as compared with previous years. An improvement in the packing of fruit from these islands is also noticeable. It was found necessary to condemn a number of imported lines for scale and mealy-bug infection. These, after being fumigated, were allowed to land. A few consignments found to be infected with the. fruit-fly maggot had to be destroyed. The inspection of bulbs and plants received per parcel-post entails a considerable amount of work and takes up a good the Inspectors' time. The following is a summary of all fruits, plants, bulbs, &c, examined at the different ports of entry during the year, the previous year's figures being also quoted for comparison :—-

4—H. 29.

1.917-18. Quantity, 1916-17. Value. Quantity. Value. Fruit, fresh, dutiable .. .. 3,239,090lb. „ free .. .. .. 21,420,3861b. „ bottled and preserved .. 237,672 doz. „ dried .. .. .. 11,026,996 lb. Lemon and orange peel in brine .. 484,2281b. Fruit-pulp and partially preserved fruit 162,494 11). £ 33,537 143,457 75,660 288,502 3,623 2,978 3,761,462 11). 24,015,2961b. 188,161 doz. 10,710,667 11). 587,6271b. 63,5451b. £ 36,699 148,396 47,4-82 225,80G 3,690 1,096 Totals .. 547,757 463,169

Port, of Entry. Fi Total. Destroyed. Fruit. Total. Plants, Vegetablei Destroyed. i, &C. Grand Total. Fumigated. Beshipped Fumigated. 1017-18. Auckland Wellington (!li rislc.hu i'ch Duncdin Bluff- .. Cases. Oases. 446,507 55 93,'I'29 929 34,882 L8 20,944 I SI 6,531 25 0 ISoN. 2,868 178 '10 (II 33 Cases. 3 L26 Paokages, 19,189 28,650 1,56.3 7,722 796 Paokages. 2 II 18 I Packages. 6 I 200 Packages. 465,69(5 122,079 36,445 28,660 7,327 1!)] (i-17. Auckland Wellington Christclmroh Dunedin Bluff .. 395,637 127 157,189 1,701 64,782 282 51.561 1,097 9,857 100 4,700 260 258 27 70 109 246 31,789 50,380 2,047 9,087 I 168 582 19 29 27 3 6 '127,426 207,569 60,829 60,648 9,858 2 i