SCIENCE A\D AGRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2855, 2 December 1908, Page 6

SCIENCE A\D AGRICULTURE.

Even in America, with its vast system of agricultural education and research, the leading minds have arrived at> the j opinion that agriculture presents a wider scope for science than -has 'hitherto been assumed. Tney state that scientific work has consisted almost exclusively of specialisation on narrow lines, and there has been very little study of the physiological phases of the question, the functions which various constituent^ exercise, or the changes- they induce. Very little, for .instance, is known of what takes ; place in the plant or the soil as the result' ■of manurial -treatment, _ and until the j theory foip the use of fertilisers has been ! worked out to its utmost recesses, and , the reasons discovered for the results which, are ascertained, there can be no really sound basis for the interpretation of the results of practical experiments or for teaching the subject of plant nutrition. It is contended that there is a danger in too close specialisation ; the work of the agricultural investigator requires a widespread familiarity with the whole field of natural science. Although his problems may lie in the field of agronomy his work will really be in such sciences as botany and chemistry, and will be measured by their standards ; i •hence his preparatory equipment must almost of necessity include a good grounding in these departments, as well as in their special applications. And, similarly, preparation for research i» animal nutrition should include a ! thorough knowledge of animal physioloey | and physiological chemistry-, for with- ; out this it -will be almost impossible to follow the progress of investigation and to conduct special researches. The preparation of the student for reseai'ch in agriculture requires a quite different course of training from that for farming occupations. A broader outlook into science is required, even into the field of what is termed pure science, with its intricate and laborious method?. Instances lave alrsady been furnished of the advantages of possessing a broad and thorough training in science. Men have come into the experimental station work wlio had but little , information regarding the practice or particular problems of agriculture, but, | pos?.c\n>ine a thorouo-h eroundiiu? in ( science, when the problems w«re- laid before them they have proceeded to analyse them and work thorn out according io the methods of their science, cutting themselves and their work away from

stereotyped methods and approaching th from an untrammelled point « view. The result has been illuminating It has also attracted to the field of agri cultural research a number of mci trained in the pure sciences, who havi hitherto looked askance at agriculture at a sphere for their activity. Compare thi with the position in New Zealand, when very little better than rule-of-thuml knowledge and methods are employed, We can only pray that there will be ai early awakening to the gravity of th» case on the part of whoever may be ii authority. Much was hoped of the lat< Minister for Agriculture, Tout it has beer hope deferred.