RESEARCH OF THE SOIL.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXVI, Issue 20300, 6 July 1929, Page 20

RESEARCH OF THE SOIL.

[INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA.

'ADMIRATION FOR DOMINION.

LESSONS FROM NEW ZEALAND. Australia, it would seem, is just beginning to realiso tliat it must produce more—that instead of spending loan money on further development work, it must make the most of thoso ureas into which huge sums have been sunk in tho past, and which are not yet returning a fair interest on capital, states nn Australian journal When representatives of tlio dairy interests met in Sydney recently moro than one delegate praised New Zealand methods and said that Australia was years behind ;tho Dominion in tho important matter of making the land produce nil it was capable of. It was years behind in herdtesting and in manuring its pastures, and further than that, its methods of making butter and cheese were antiquated. Many of the accomplishments of New Zealand were still in tho investigation slago in Australia, and it was said that instead t>f spending a great deal in research it would bo better to send a delegation to New Zealand and learn first hand the latest developments there. However, in soil survey South Australia was well advanced. It was announced tho tither day that Mr. Harold Darling, on behalf of himself and his family, had given £IO,OOO to the Adelaide University for soil research because he was so impressed with tho wonderful work that was lieing done in that connection by the Waite Institute. The institute is at tho old home of Mr. Peter Waite, about four miles from Adelaide, and it was left by Mr. Waite for agricultural research purposes under the aegis of the Adelaide University; "It seems a pity,"'said Mr. Darling, "that tho work was not begun earlier, because a big amount of money would never havo been spent. In tho future, careful soil survey, directed by tho institute in different parts of Australia, will not onlv prevent people using unsuiti>blo land but will also help to indicate bow land which at present is unsuitable can bo improved. The work of the institute is of paramount importance to all Australia." i Tho Darling gift will be devoted to the erection of buildings for soil research laboratories and to the survey staff at the Waite Institute. The necessary maintenance funds will be supplied by the university. The special research work ■will be carried on under Professor Presfott, of tho Commonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research, which will also finance pavt of the maintenance And provide the equipment, and Professor A. E. V. Richardson, director of tho institute. \The importance of tho soil research •work of tho instituto was scarcely realised by tho general public, and even bj> men vitally connected with primary industries, until last, year, when Sir John Russell, tho soil expert, and director of ther'Kothamstead Experimental Station, Eflgflffif?' toiifed Australia."