might I suggest that an effort be made to secure joint action with a view to strongly urging upon the Federal Government the necessity for appointing Trade Commissioners to undertake the work of opening up and developing markets for Australian products. Briefly, the vital needs of the industry at the present time are improved and greatly extended market facilities.

10916. By Mr VENN: Will you give us some idea of your expenses in connection with marketing?—My last season export fruit went through the packing shed, and while I cannot give you details, I paid 1s. 9d. a case, which included all charges. In the matter of yields you are aware perhaps that the State's average is three quarters bushel per tree. Mine is considerably over this. Off trees nine years old last year I got an average of five bushels, and the average over five years would be from two to three cases per tree.

10917. do you fertilise heavily?—I used to use three to five pounds of super to the tree, but of late years I have employed other manures. In the older and heavier bearing portions of the orchard I use 5 to 6lbs. of potato manure per tree, or from 3 to 5cwt. to the acre. I should like to say in regards to fruit cases, I consider that the quality of the cases from the State Saw Mill is excellent. The price is high, but I am not going to quarrel about this. I think we can cheapen our costs in the direction of better methods of organisations in the sales department. The Sawmills say that it costs them the price they are charging to produce the case. I think that a fruit case is good value at 7s. So far as general orchard practice is concerned, there are the ravages of the woolly aphis to be contended with, and this pest is doing a great deal of harm. The department recommended sprays that are usually successful, but I think that an investigation should be made in regard to certain varieties of apples that will resist its ravages, and the Federal Department of Science and Industry might investigate whether it is not possible, by treating the sap of the trees, to overcome the pest.

10918. Has the Department of Agriculture been of any assistance to you?—Yes, the Departmental experts here are doing good work and are of great assistance to us. I am convinced that during the last few years the industry is on a higher bases than formerly.

10919. Do you practice thinning your heavy crops?—Yes, I practice thinning my trees in years when the crop is excessive. By this means we find what is the correct carrying capacity of the trees. A vigorous tree sometimes does not want thinning. I have one Dunn's Seedling, which produces 30 cases, and I was able to send them to the Hamburg market. From this you will gather that they were of good quality. Thinning is certainly beneficial, but not to the extent that it is in some other districts. I think that it is rather a calamity that the growers are left without better inspection than they have at the present time. I have nothing to say in regard to the recent retrenchments, but I think that an endeavour should be made to get Mr Ramage back into the Department. He has been responsible for a great deal of the improvement at the present time. Under his tuition the fruit sent to the Eastern States has evoked favourable comment as compared with the products of the Eastern States. Buyers advise that this reflects great credit on the growers. I consider that it is due to Mr Ramage that we have received such favourable comment. He is now employed by an outside firm. In regard to the future of the fruit-growing industry, I would not recommend anyone now to take up growing fruit. I think it is my duty to warn growers and others to plant no further trees until a market is obtained for what is already available. I have referred to the woolly aphis: There is another pest that is causing a serious loss, and this is a beetle which comes into the orchard in December in swarms, and practically wipes the crop out. The association has made representations to the department asking that full investigations should be made to ascertain its life history and discover a method of combating it. Mr Newman has done all he can in Perth. I think every grower in the State realises the sterling services Mr Newman has rendered the Industry and the work he has done, but I think that in his position of Acting Government Entomologist he has not the free hand that he should have to investigate troubles, and I think every grower would welcome the information that Mr Newman has been appointed Entomologist, and has a free hand, rather than work under some other officer, We have Mr Newman to thank for the discovery of the remedy for a number of the pests that we have had here.

10920. BY Mr VENN: What is your opinion on the question of fruit drying?—In regard to the evaporation of fruit I realise that this is bound to come in connection with inferior material, but consider it can only be done profitably by employing small evaporation plants on the holdings. It would not pay over long distances to carry inferior fruit to large evaporation plants. There is a better chance for the individual grower in fruit drying than for the growers as a community taking it up on a commercial scale. In regard to the jam factory in Perth I think this will do good in the direction of making the market firm. I want to stress the point of the export markets referred to in the paper submitted. I consider that 30 per cent. of the orchards planted in the State are not in full bearing and we can already put 50 per cent. more fruit on the market than can be consumed locally. People have planted without consideration of the existing markets, and those that will be available for future production. (The witness retired.)

GEORGE SAMUEL HODGKINS, Orchardist, Bridgetown, sworn and examined:

10921. To Mr PAYNTER: I have been here since 1911. I came from England. I have no previous experience in fruit growing. I was a shoe-maker. I have seven acres of freehold land. This is just at the back of the town. It is fenced and cleared, and I have 4½ acres of orchard and 2½ acres of crop for my horses. I started with £1 when I came to Bridgetown. I took work in the district, and am at present time employed by the Council. My orchard is only just coming into bearing. I consider my prospects are good. I planted export varieties of apples. My trees are all doing very well. When I wanted to come to this country I applied to the Agent General, Sir Newton Moore, and although I had had farming experience he refused to let me come out as I was