SCIENTIFIC TREATMENT OF THE SOIL

Nelson Evening Mail, Volume LXI, 8 August 1928, Page 4

SCIENTIFIC TREATMENT OF THE SOIL

UPON more than one occasion wo have commented upon the high standard set by, distinguished men who have been selected to deliver the annual Cawthron lecture in Nelson. We have no doubt that standard will be fully maintained to-night by Sir John Russell, one of the most eminent living authorities in agricultural chemistry and the treatment and cultivation of the soil. Not only Nelson, which fc to-day extends a hearty welcome to its distinguished guest, but New Zealand, is fortunate in having the opportunity of securing first-hand information and advice from' the Director of the famous British Experimental Agricultural Station at Rothamsted. By reason of the existence ing its. midst of the admirable Cawthron Institute and its highly-qualified staff of keen and enthusiastic, scientists who have already achieved such valuable results, this district fully appreciates the great importance of intensive scientific research, especially as -applied to tho land. Nelson itself has profited exceedingly by the research work of the Institute’s experts ; the whole of New Zealand has benefited, arid it may he assumed safely that the Cawthron experiments and their results have not been lost sight of in older lands.

Thus Sir John Russell is assured of a particularly sympathetic and interested audience when he rises to speak to-night on “The Work of the Rothamsted Station and the influence of its founders on the work of Scientific Agriculture.” Nor will Sir John come as a complete stranger for his great contributions to-the work of scientific soil research are wellknown here. There is no limit to the scope of research in the direction ol solving problems fundamental .to our ’national prosperity. A famous American expert has declared that“the soil is one of the most complex and variable factors with "which tho farmer has to deal,” and- has shown how in recent years ' science, by investigating the micro-organisms that inhabit the earth, and more especially the nitrogen-fixing bacteria, has opened up untold possibilities of increased output and improved quality in its products. Our own natural resources possess wonderful potentialities which it is essential should be developed to the utmost on the most economic lines and by the best-approved scientific methods. Indeed, modern research is demonstrating that fully-ap-proved scientific methods are the most economic in the final result. This fact has been brought home to responsible Governments, and in the British Empire to-day we possess a chain of research stations endeavouring to act in unison for tho common weal. One of these stations is the Cawthron Institute which owes its origin to tho beneficence of a private citßon. Wo are

aware- that tho Institute, has been assisted financially in some directions by tho British Government and by our own Government, but the time has arrived v/hon tho importance of giving still further assistance must bo realised, even if only as a sound investment. Private aid from those of broad vision who are in a position to help would be welcome, buta clear .duty devolves upon tho State. In other countries the State lias recognised Unit large expenditure on agricultural research has provod safe and remunerative from a public point of view. Wo may quote the United States where the Federal Government spends some three million pounds a year on this object, and the individual States augment this sum by ~£2,000,000. Statistics are available to show that this £5,000,000 a year represents only about one per cent, of the profits earned by the primary industries and about one-fifth of one per cent , of the total value of their products. It is easy to see how a much greater expenditure than that available would bo justified in a country like Now Zealand which is so dependent-upon the prinyiry industries for its prosperity. Our Council of Scientific and Industrial Research" should well repay us for tho outlay its work involves and it should make the utmost use of the Cawthron Institute and give it adequate financial aid. Sir John Russell’s visit should assist in that direction, apart from it 3 value otherwise.