AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20105, 16 November 1928, Page 14

AGRICULTURAL RESEARCH.

COMBATING NOXIOUS WEEDS.

CHEMISTRY OF PASTURES.

[Bl* TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.]

WELLINGTON. Thureday

A report by the chairman of tho Board of Scientific and Industrial Research presented at tho last meeting of the council stated:—"The work of noxious weeds control is going steadily and hopefully forward. Unfortunately, there is a danger of New Zealand losing tho services of another prominent entomological worker, who has boon offered much higher remuneration by another Dominion.

"A proposal will be placed before the department for a co-operative scheme of work on entomology in regard to forestry. This has been tho subject of a conference with the Forestry Department and forestry interests and it j.s designed toward tho protection of indigenous and exotic forests against tho attacks of insect pests. "Tho dairy research laboratory at Pat merston North is now in full swing. Tho mineral content of pastures work is in active operation and the results already achieved appear to point to considerable economic benefits being achievod, particularly in tho King Country, Waikato, Hotorua and Nelson districts. The Empire Marketing Board has offered to continue its grant for an extended period up to five years, with regard to cold storago and fruit research."

The secretary's report indicated valuable results from the examination of shipments by the low-temperature research station at Cambridge. Encouraging progress has been made at the research institute at Palmerston North and Imperial Chemical Industries . have already provided gratis 130 tons of fertiliser for various farm experiments spread throughout both islands. In connection with the work of the institute the report indicated that the work promises to bo one of the most fundamental and far-reaching influences on New Zealand pastoral and agricultural development.

A report received from the phottniuni committee indicated that the work in connection with breeding and seed-production was now satisfactorily arranged at Massev College. General progress in wheat research is satisfactory. Arrangements for altering and fitting the laboratory at Christ church are practically completed. Die cereal chemist, Mr. West, from Canada, will arrive in a few days. 'I ho wool research commit tee has now, completed its initial investigations.