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HORTICULTURAL DIVISION. REPORT OF W. K. DALLAS, DIRECTOR. The international situation and changes in economic life as a result of the war have had a farreaching effect on horticulture and in the activities of the Horticulture Division. A change in the relative importance of the various duties of the Division's officers has been apparent, placing emphasis on some activities which, in peace-time, have appeared of a comparatively minor character, and relegating to the background others whose peace-time importance seemed greater. The instructional aspect of officers' duties has at certain seasons had to give way, by force of circumstances, to the inspectional side of their work, and, with the practical cessation of export of the major lines of horticultural produce, have arisen problems of the disposal of surpluses which, although primarily the burden of the Internal Marketing Division, have involved this Division in intimate collaboration. The time which might otherwise have been devoted to instruction has also been drawn upon to procure statistical information necessitated by import restrictions and other demands on the industry. The endeavour to provide for the consumption internally of our exportable surplus of apples and pears has accentuated the cool storage of fruit, and has brought problems in both the engineering and biological aspects of cool storage. Standardization of apple and pear marketing was advanced a step by the codifying, in the New-Zealand-grown Fruit Regulations 1940, of many years' experience in this direction. The demands of the fighting Services on the skilled labour of the fruit industry have increased the amount of time spent by officers in conducting packing and grading classes for the instruction of persons willing to take the places of those who have gone overseas. New workers have been rapidly absorbed into the industry. Climatic Conditions. Climatic conditions throughout the Dominion during the year have been variable but, on the whole, favourable for horticultural production. Wet conditions in the early spring of 1940 had the effect in some districts of retarding the application of the early sprays, which was later reflected in a greater prevalence of black-spot than is usual. The summer generally was hot and dry, and what amounted to drought conditions prevailed in Canterbury and Otago. Heavy rains in the autumn had the effect of adding size to pip-fruits, but may possibly also have had a detrimental effect on the keeping quality : this has yet to be ascertained. Frosts in the late spring damaged potato, tomato, and early stone-fruit crops in the Wanganui and New Plymouth districts, and also stone-fruit crops throughout the Waikato and in Central Otago. The extended frost period greatly reduced stone-fruit and pear crops in Canterbury. Hail damage appears to have been confined to the districts around Oratia, Henderson, and Te Kauwhata in the North Island, and to Nelson and North Canterbury in the South Island. The Fruitgrowing Industry. The 1941 Fruit Season.—The production of apples for the present season will be slightly below that of the previous season, while pears will show a slight increase. The estimated quantities of this season's crop received to 31st March, 1941, are : Apples, 765,600 bushels ; pears, 219,400 bushels. The stone-fruit crop for the Dominion was less than for the previous year. The apricot crop in the Roxburgh district was reduced approximately 75 per cent, by frost, and other stone-fruits suffered to some extent also. Plums were in short supply in Central Otago and Auckland districts. The stone-fruit crop in Hawke's Bay was generally fair to good. Canterbury experienced a light year with stone-fruits. Nelson district had only a moderate crop of stone-fruits, and severe losses occurred from brown-rot in late canning varieties. The quality of fruit in other respects appears to be comparable with other seasons. The assembling and marketing of the apple and pear crop is proceeding fairly satisfactorily ; but, owing to the fact that no fruit is being exported, a surplus of these fruits, with low prices during the main harvesting season, is anticipated. Fruit-production and Estimates of Crops. —In consequence of the Government taking over the crop of apples and pears, it became more essential that crop estimates should be obtained as accurately as possible, as on this information the Internal Marketing Division based its plans for market distribution throughout the season. The accurate estimating of fruit-crop production is somewhat difficult early in the season, as possible weather conditions —notably frost damage, hailstorms, gale losses, and depreciation of fruit from attacks of insect pests and fungous diseases —have all to be taken into consideration. The crop for the 1940 season promised to be an exceedingly heavy one, and early estimates were on the high side to an extent of approximately 10 per cent. The production for the 1940 season ultimately ascertained from reports furnished by field officers was as follows: Apples, 2,506,535 bushels ; pears, 242,352 bushels ; quinces, 15,691 bushels ; stone-fruits', 519,240 bushels.

6—H. 29.

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