74 GOVPJRNMENT ASSISTANCE TO HORTICULTURE. [ApR., 



form some analogy of the course that may be talven. Inspection 

 and certification by the authorities of the exporting country, 

 where an effective system for this purpose exists, and where it 

 does not, inspection at the port of landing before distribution in 

 this country, form the basis of the plan with, in the background, 

 the power to prohibit importation altogether, where such a 

 drastic measure becomes necessary. 



Next in importance is the health of the home stocks. Growers 

 can be assisted in this matter by means of inspection of nurseries 

 so that in all cases where it is possible to do so a certificate of 

 health can be given, which the holder may use and quote to his 

 clients, and powers to secure punishment of those who, reckless 

 of the damage they may do to the industry and the community 

 at large, send out plants seriously affected with diseases or pests. 



This fight for health has become a vital matter to the industry. 

 With the relative position attained by costs of production and 

 the wholesale price obtained for produce, the saving of the waste 

 seems to be the only way of escape for the grower. 



Purity of Stock. — Xext to health comes purity of stock and 

 fidehty to type. Notwithstanding the laudable and costly efforts 

 made by our nurserymen and seedsmen to improve and to fix 

 standard types, the battle has yet been scarcely moi-e than an 

 affair of outposts, but the lines have been pretty clearly laid down 

 and much useful ground covered at Mailing. Experiments with 

 regard to Strawberries, Raspberries and other fruits are now 

 being conducted at Long Ashton. but there is scarcely a form of 

 fruit or vegetable produce in which the field for investigation, in 

 this respect, is not almost unlimited. Then there is the matter 

 of production of new tYj)es which has hardly yet been attacked 

 in a comprehensive and scientific manner. In all these matters 

 the Ministry so far as its resources permit is ready to lead the 

 way for the industry, so that the problems that are constantly 

 arising may be effectuallv tackled. 



Value of Fruit Shows.— All this is in tlie production line. 

 The more efiicient and successful you make production the 

 greater the obligations imposed upon you to find an outlet for 

 the consumer. Here again you come into almost uncharted 

 territory and the iMinistry can offer to the industry services 

 that cannot be substituted. It is proposed to make a beginning 

 with apples— it is safe to assert that the general public is 

 ignorant of what the home commercial grower can produce of 

 this frnit. 



