SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

Auckland Star, Volume LIX, Issue 214, 10 September 1928, Page 8

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH.

GOOD RESULTS IN HAWAII. SUGAR AICD PINEAPPLES. "OUT OF EVIL COMETH GOOD." While observing the benefits of scientific research in the Hawaiian Islands, Mr. Maurice Cohen, of Wellington, turned his thoughts to the Massey Agricultural College and the kindred institutions which are - working for the improvement of methods of production in New Zealand. Mr. Cohen represented this Dominion at the recent Captain Cook celebrations. The visitor was greatly impressed by the immense benefits which are being derived from the Experimental Institute of Sugar Planters, which was formed to cope with the havoc caused by insect pests and to try and increase the ratio of production. A number of able young scientists were at work selecting the best species of cane plants and preparing fertilisers for the various kinds of soil. They had succeeded in bringing production to the highest point known per acre in any of the sugarproducing countries.

heard an interesting story," said Mr. Cohen, "which illustrates the truth of the old saying, 'Out of evil cometh good.' Some years ago in the Philippine Islands the labourers on the sugar plantations struck for higher wages, and at the height of the bitterness which ensued they set fire to some of the plantations. The owners, hoping to save all that was possible, cut the burnt cane, crushed it and found that the sugar contents were by no means impaired.

"They found, on the other hand, that the vegetation of the stork being removed, as well as weeds and other growth, the cane could be cut six inches lower than formerly. Now the cane fields are deliberately fired and tens of thousands of dollars are saved in transport, while the growers obtain a greater weight of cane to the acre." The spectacle of miles and miles of pineapple fields with ends of paper waving from the ground excited the curiosity of Mr. Cohen. He found that scientific research had shown the growers a new and better way of planting pineapples. Strips of paper about three feet long are taken and in wh two young pineapple plants are inserted in the soil. The paper keeps down the weeds and when the plants are strong enough they break through the rotting paper. In 1902 the export of pineapples was 1000 tons, whereas to-day the »nnn»l output is 9,000,000 cases, or 100,000 tons. "With scientific research," said Mr Cohen, "you never know what new methods will evolve. We will hope that the work being carried on at the Massey Agricultural College and at the experimental farms will result in the discovery of new means of production which will greaty benefit New Zealand by increasing the value of our primary industries." As an item of interest Mr. Cohen mentioned that of the 9,000,000 of pineapples exported from Hawaii each year the Dole people send away 3,500,000 eases. "I have been in many of the largest factories in the world," he said, "but I have never seen anything so complete as the Dole plant."

It will be remembered that the owner of this huge business was the originator of the Dole prize flight from California to Honolulu. The pineapple industry is highly profitable.