DOCTOR OF SCIENCE

Evening Star, Issue 22069, 1 July 1935, Page 3

DOCTOR OF SCIENCE

NEWi ZEALANDER HONOURED Dr L. I. Grange, officer in charge of soil surveys of the Research Department, was awarded the D.Sc. by the New Zealand University for a thesis on Now Zealand, soils. The title of Dr Grange’s thesis is ‘ A Study of the Genetic Soil Types of New Zealand.’ In this he has made the first preliminary classification of the soils of this country according to tlie method which was introduced by Russian workers. In this classification particular notice is taken of the soil processes, climatic, vegetational, etc.,, which are at work in modifying the soil characteristics. The interactions of climate, vegetation, and the rock from which the soil is derived produce variations in soil character and fertility which are of direct concern to the farmer in the utilisation of his land. Soils with similar climate,_ vegetaton, and parent material have similar char-

acteristics and are classed as one type. Of these factors climate is tho_ most important so far as the determining of major soil types is concerned. Tlio parent material and vegetation of two soils may be identical, yet they may be classed as separate types because of the difference in appearance of tlie soils. Climate acts more rapidly in modifying soils than is generally supposed. This is well seen in the comparatively new volcanic soils of the North Island. _ The Russians have utilised their system of soil surveying in Asiatic Russia for settlement purposes, and as a guide for the crops to be cultivated. In Germany this system is finding favour, and already one-fifth' of the country has been divided into soil types. Such soil types are the basis on which other maps are constructed —e.g., the yield per hectare, suitable crops for each type, and the value per Hectare of each type. A modified system is now being employed in parts of Canada. Dr Grange, in his thesis, has explored the possibilities of the application of these newer methods under New Zealand conditions. His thesis shows that these methods possess in greater degree than others previously employed possibilities for the useful interpretation of the soil resources of tlie dominion. A soil survey on these lines is likely to prove of very wide use to farmers, manure manufacturers, seed and produce merchants, in addition to helping to ensure that each of our soil types is devoted to its best uses.