AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 15053, 28 January 1911, Page 8

AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

PROMOTING SCIENTIFIC

METHODS,

{Pee Unithd Pjiess Association.)

CHPJSTCHUECH, January 27.

Several matters relating to the policy <f the Department of Agriculture in providing instruction in scientific agricultural methods are at present occupying the attention of the Minister in charge of the department, the Hon. T. Mackenzie. In an interview this morning the Minister gave a reporter some information regarding several of his proposals. He explained that his object in going to Dunodin was to meet Messrs Keith and Dunlop, two of the commissioners from Scotland, who were engaged by the Victorian Government to visit the Commonwealth and report upon its possibilities as a field for emigration. They had come to the Dominion on a holiday vilsit, but he hoped that they would be kind enough to give him their views cn the most up-to-date methods of establishing and controlling experimental agricultural stations, and on questions relating to agricultural and pastoral interests. The visiting commissioners would arrive in Dunedin on tho following day, and if their plans permitted he would endeavour to show them something of the country of Otago and Canterbury. He realised that the two gentlemen were on' holiday, but he was hopeful that they would be of assitance in the department's efforts to improve the existing! conditions.

The possibilities of utilising what are generally regarded as waste lands in the 'laupo district are being investigated by the Minister. Mr Mackenzie said that the experiments in tree-planting on the pumice lands.of the district had bein a great success, and ho hoped that the experiments which were being made wouid show that th-o neglected areas might be employed with profit for the production oi grass and root crops. He did not expect big results, "but he heped to demonstrate a profitable fertility in the soil. Some excellent turnips grown in parts of the district had been shown to him, but the roots were perhaps the product of exceptionally good portions. There was, however, good reason for believing that paspalum and some other secondary grasses could be established on the pumaceous soil.