SCIENCE TO AID.

Auckland Star, Volume LXVIII, Issue 283, 29 November 1937, Page 10

SCIENCE TO AID.

FARMERS' ATTITUDE.

CHANGE IN 25 YEARS.

AMERICAN EXPERT'S VISIT.

That there was increasing appreciation by the public of the value of scientific methods and skill in the fight against plant pests and diseases was the statement made to-day by Professor A. J. Eames. of the School of Botany, Cornell University. United States, who arrived by the Aorangi on a two months' visit to Xew Zealand. Travelling around the world, he is making a study of the flora of the countries he visits. He said New Zealand presented a rich and varied field for the botanist.

"Within the past 2o years the viewpoint of the farmers, particularly in the United States, towards science has completely changed.'' he remarked. "Twentyfive years ago it was considered that university trained men were not practical, and there was not much demand for their services, but now the producers to a large extent are relying upon them in carrying out many of thenfarming operation's."' Combating Disease. Professor Eames instances the spraving of fruit trees, the planting of crops and the efforts made to combat outbreaks of disease in wheat, oats and other cereals, and compared the activities in these directions with those among live stock where expert guidance was indispensable. Variations in seasons, rainfall, temperature and other conditions affecting crops were much more easily and thoroughly observed bv scientific men. he said, than by the farmers, and in many parts of the United States the spraying of fruit trees, sowings of seed a"nd harvesting operations were carried out under departmental guidance. The telephone and other means of rapidly broadcasting information to the farmers were freelv used to maintain contact.

Tn some respects he thought the United States was probably ahead of Xew Zealand in enlisting the services of scientific and research workers to give regular advice to agriculturist*, horticulturists and pastoraliste, but there was still in many district* a difficulty in supplying the number of men required. He had heard that there was a similar problem in Xew Zealand. wliere the staffing of the university colleges was below the average. At the same time the scope for science in this Dominion appeared to offer an attractive field to young men who were interested in botany and the development of farm production.

Remarking that he had been here in 1912 while a student at Harvard University, Professor Eames. said he wished to see not only the farming districts and the subtropical flora, of which there was an abundance in the North Island. but he also proposed to spend a considerable time investigating the alpine flora of the South Island, which he described as remarkable. "The Xew Zealand flora is so different from the.t of Australia and other countries that the country offers a delightful hunting ground for one who is interested in botany." he remarked. "The forests. which are of special interest, have a resemblance to those of South America, but that is only on the surface."

Destruction by Deer. Asked whether destruction by deer and other wild animals was regarded as a menace to the forests in other countries, Professor Eames said that. generally speaking, n 0 serious damage resulted, but apparently the conditions in Xew Zealand were peculiar. It was possible that the effect on the forests would be much more serious where in the past there had been no large wild animals, and the dense undergrowth which had been undisturbed had provided a protective floor for the trees. It was his intention to ascertain the extent of the menace and to visit the kauri, rimu, kahikatea, matai and lieech forests in various parts of both islands.

Having left the United States several months ago and travelled through England. South Africa and Australia, he recalled that one of the outstanding experiences of his trip was a drive bv motor car through the Kruger Xational Park, in Sr.nth Africa, where lions, elephants, antelopes and other big game life came "right up to the car door." "Of course you are not allowed to get out of the car," he remarked with a smile.

Accompanied by Mrs. Earner and his son he proposes to meet botanists in each of the cities during his tour of the Dominion and to travel as far south as> the cold lakes and the Milford Sounds district.