WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1030, 20 January 1911, Page 8

WHAT THE DEPARTMENT IS DOING.

, IMPORTANT RESEARCH. The following from an official ;publica'tion will give agriculturists an idea of what one branch of the Department- of Agriculture proposes to do this year:— _. 1. Seed, Investigations.—Work on the impurities and. germination of feeds is baing pushed oil, and material for a publication' on these subjects is now well, in hand. This should prove of considerable value to..both seed merchants and fanners. A.new method for.the rapid determination of the vitality of seeds is being devised, and, if successful, would be a great boon, as the main objection to the present methods is the length of time ncoessary before a test is completed. 2. Investigation on the Cause -of Silver Blight.—A study of the cause' of this troublesonio fruit-tree disease is being carried on, whichit is hoped will lead to its elucidation. Work already done in this direction points to tho fact that the seat of-the disease is not to be found in tho fpljage of affected trees, but rather in the TraterrConductiug tissues of tho stems.' 3. Turnip Diseases.—A special investigation on the diseases of turnips is in hand. The" great losses now annually sustained of.this staple winter stock food rendered this work one of tho most important that is being undertaken.. • , , ■ ■■ 4. Parasites of Scale Insects—Studies on thoparasites of scale insects are hoped to be undertaken. At the same time the collection of parasitised material is to be Bono on with" for Dr. Townsend, of the Peruvian- Department of Agriculture, who is enjaged'on a special-work with a common New Zealand scale (Hemichionnspis. minor);-which-is causing great damage to the cotton industry in northern Peru. .

5. Insecticides.—lnvestigations on tho emulsification of spraying oils, especially those suitable for sunnier use, are to be continued, and. methods for manufacture of soil, fumigants against subterranean insects' arejin view.