The Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1927. SCIENCE AND RURAL INDUSTRIES.

Evening Star, Issue 19455, 13 January 1927, Page 4

The Evening Star THURSDAY, JANUARY 13, 1927. SCIENCE AND RURAL INDUSTRIES.

On his return from his important mission abroad Dr Tillyard, biologist of the Cawtbron Institute, made some interesting remarks connected with his investigations. Ho was not able to enter much into detail, because his report will have first to be placed before Cabinet. When ho affirmed that if the present line of modern research in connection with the eradication of certain weeds were not successful it would he a had lookout, he indicated the serious nature of the problem with which this dominion is confronted. Depending so much on our primary products and their consumption overseas, it is necessary that we should augment production. The Agricultural Department, working on scientific lines, has done much to help the settler in the way of instruction, demonstration, and advice on the latest developments regarding the rural industries and iu their successful employment in the dominion. There is a biological laboratory attached to the department in Wellington, and the scientists connected with it, as well as those at the Cawtbron Institute, are engaged in research work that it is hoped will bring important benefits. In Australia, Canada, and South Africa striking results have been achieved in the efforts to increase wheat production by the introduction of new varieties of grain suitable to certain localities, soils, and atmospheric conditions. It is realised that if the most is to he made out of the laud and the costs of production kept down, so that we can successfully compete in the .overseas markets, the haphazard methods of the past must be discarded, and farming conducted on efficient and scientific lines.

Dr Tillyard indicated that his main investigations while abroad related to the biological control of the blackberry and other noxious weeds. The blackberry is one of the greatest dangers, and it is spreading at an alarming rate in certain parts of the dominion. Various experiments have been made to eradicate it or to check its growth, but so far without much result. There is a ray of hope In Dr Tillyard’s announcement that he had met with considerable success while abroad in discovering insects which attacked the blackberry more or less efficiently. Some of these insects are to bo introduced to New Zealand for experimental purposes. There would in the ordinary course bo a grave danger in adopting such a method, because there would be no guarantee that the insect would confine its attentions to the blackberry, but we can rest satisfied with the assurance given that proper safeguards will be taken in this respect. The noxious weeds are by no means confined to the blackberry, and the most casual observer in travelling m the rural districts of this dominion must be struck by the great loss in production occasioned by the invasions of St. John’s wort, ragwort, and gorse. Refei’ence is also made to the convolvulus. So far this pest, which spreads with great rapidity, lias not caused much inconvenience in. this part of the country, but those who have dealt with it in a small way know that it is one of the most troublesome of pests to eradicate. The numerous organisms that do so much damage to our orchards have also come within the scope of Dr Tillyard’s inquiries, so it is probable that his return will synchronise with increased activity in research and in practical work'in efforts to remove a great handicap to our rural industries.