WHEAT RESEARCH.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20219, 2 April 1929, Page 8

WHEAT RESEARCH.

The appointment of an assistant scientist to the Wheat Research Institute is a promising step in the direction of improving what should be a staple product of this country. Time was when the regional limits of profitable wheat-growing in New Zealand wero wider than those now obtaining, although the volume of production was much less than at present. North Auckland, at that time, sent flour to the less-dcvelopcd areas in the South Island. There have been sporadic attempts to establish this industry again in regions outside those where wheat is now customarily grown, but they have been handicapped by the absence of a suitable strain of the cereal as well as by the competition of other rural activities. Already the institute has done much in experimental crossings of strains to produce a grain of excellent food value, and other researches should test the possibilities of producing one capable of profitable growth over an extended area. It is gratifying to know that the institute, now well supplied with a research fund, is so hopefully engaged in service to this industry. Whatever the outcome of investigations affecting its regional scope, the discovery of superior strains is so fundamentally important that this alone justifies the endeavour to promote research. Wheat growers have evinced an anxiety about the commercial aspect of the industry, and their giving of thought to this is natural. But, as in other rural products, quality is essential; and great benefit may be expected to accrue from scientific inquiry leading to the cultivation of suitable strains and a proper system of seed certification based on accurate knowledge.