14S JOURNAL OF THE ROYAL HORTICULTURAL SOCIETY. 



men with a small acreage sell the Grapes to larger growers who make 

 the wine, but the co-operative principle is considered to be the only way 

 to make the industry a success, and it is hoped that the N.Z. Government 

 will come forward and help the settlers in establishing on a firm basis an 

 industry which would be of lasting benefit to the colony. 



Next in order I shall mention the Phonmum tenax, or Hemp. The 

 preparation of Hemp for the English and American markets has become 

 a staple industry. The best is produced in the Auckland Province. 

 The plant grows wild throughout the colony, but the product deteriorates 

 in quality in the southern or colder parts. It has not been found 

 necessary to cultivate the plant, sufficient being found in a wild state 

 to keep all the present mills going in full work ; but as the business 

 appears now to be established on a firm basis, it is a question for con- 

 sideration whether it is not advisable to plant large areas of the best 

 varieties on the waste lands of the colony. At the same time prices have 

 so fluctuated that to embark upon a systematic growth of the plant might 

 be considered risky ; but it is open for the Government to make trials at 

 the experimental farms of the best varieties obtainable. The N.Z. 

 < rovernment have done much in encouraging the Hemp industry, insisting 

 that it should be graded before shipment by the grader appointed for 

 that purpose, and this action has put the business on a sound basis. 

 The prices at which it is sold in London depend largely on Manila 

 Hemp, which is a superior article ; but it is doubtful if any large increase 

 in the shipment from the Philippines is to be expected. 



It would need a long chapter to give a description of the various 

 fruits, English and otherwise, that can be successfully grown in New 

 Zealand. I shall mention first the Apple. Unfortunately the codlin 

 moth has made great havoc in some districts ; and although experimental 

 shipments of fruit have been made to the old country, it will be some 

 years before the colony will be in the position of the neighbouring country 

 of Tasmania and be able to make such large shipments, abundant 

 evidence of which I have seen in the fruit- shops of every town in the 

 west of England and in London. New Zealand's opportunity will come 

 some day, but it will be necessary for the Government to insist upon 

 radical measures being taken to eradicate the various blights and pests. 

 The very best varieties of Apples have been introduced, and every 

 encouragement given by the Department as regards lectures dealing 

 with blights and pests, and the specified remedies for the same ; but 

 until legislation is passed making spraying compulsory, as is done in 

 some of the States of America, New Zealand will not be able to export 

 Apples in any great quantity. The climate is most suitable, capable of 

 producing the finest fruit, but until the pests that I have mentioned are 

 dealt with systematically the growers must be content with a local 

 market, the prices ruling being variable and not very encouraging. 

 Cider is made in the Canterbury Province, and has met with a ready 

 sale, but cider is not consumed in the country districts as it is in the 

 farmhouses in the Mother Country, tea being substituted. Tea is being 

 drunk all day long during harvesting. A little wholesome cider would be 

 better. 



Strawberries arc mown very successfully throughout New Zealand, the 



