New Zealand Dairy Trade. 



379 



Nearly every section of British Columbia is stated, in the 

 . _ _ last report of the Agricultural Depart- 



3^.^?* ^^J^^^^^S^^^ ment of that Province, to be well adapted 

 British Columbia. ^ 



for the growing of fruit, both large and 



small, and settlers generally are planting out orchards, many 

 of which are already in good condition and bearing largely. 

 The conditions most unfavourable to fruit are the pre- 

 valence of insect pests and diseases due to cultivation and 

 the importation of foreign products, both nursery-stock and 

 fruit. The industry moreover, except in individual cases, has 

 not been carried on with much system or knowledge of fruit 

 growing. Trees have been purchased somewhat indiscrimi- 

 nately from agents, regardless of experience as to the best 

 and m.ost suitable varieties, with the result that there is a 

 great mixture of fruits, and not much of first quality. Little 

 attention has been devoted to methods of planting, pruning, 

 and general cultivation, so that existing orchards do not fully 

 represent the capabilities of any district. Lack of railway 

 communication, remoteness of settlers from each other, and 

 the difficulties incident to the proper preparation, planting, 

 and keeping of an orchard, have also prevented the success 

 of the industry, but these difficulties are being gradually 

 obviated or overcome. The efforts of the Department of 

 Agriculture and the Fruit Growers' Association have succeeded 

 in imparting a better knowledge of the development of the 

 industry in the Province, which is expected in the near future 

 to become a large producer of good fruit. 



The exports of dairy products from New Zealand during 

 the twelve months ending with June 30th, 

 Dairy Trade of 1S97, greatly exceeded those of any 

 New Zealand. previous year. The outward shipments 

 of butter amounted to 88^68^, cwts., of 

 the value of ;!f3 5 7,1 87 ; an increase, compared with 1895-96, of 

 26,738 cwts. in quantity, and ;^io6,302 in value, of which 86 

 per cent, was credited to producers in the North Islands. The 

 total amount of cheese exported in 1896-97 was 78,384 cwts., 



