SCIE.tifIC RESEARCH

Timaru Herald, Volume CXXV, Issue 17874, 6 February 1928, Page 5

SCIENTIFIC RESEARCH

STATEMENT-BY PRIME MINISTER. Dr Telaeraph—Pre«s A««oel»tIon. AA'ELLINGTON, February 3. The following statement was issued by the Minister in charge of the Scientific and Industrial Research Depart ment (Right Hon J. G. Coates) witli reference to the invcsti&ytkm work which has been proceeding in connection with bacon-cur;ng and otoer activities. BACON-CURING. The enforcement of the Foods and Drugs Regulations prohibiting the use of boric acid in the preservation of ham and bacon has been giving manufacturers of these products much concern owing to the Joss of keeping quality. apparent now that a long-accus-tomed process has, of necessity, been abandoned The elimination of -boric acid, coupled with the popular demaurl lor mild-cured bacon, has compelL'd the manufacturer to search for other means of introducing an article suitable lor tile market. To overcome this problem tli-" help of the Department ol Scientific and Industrial Research -lias been solicited by some of the pro ducers, to enable them to provide bacon and ham suited to the public taslo, and, at file same time, possessed of the necessary keeping, qualities Experiments already have Leeu' com-

menced in this direction, and include work on the best method;; ol curing consistent with efficient production, the maintenance- of good flavour and keeping 'qualities. Other important matters, including the use of sodium nitrite in place of saltpetre for the production of a good colour in baccm and ham, are under investigation The results of these various researches, when completed, will be made avail able for the industry as a whole. STOCK FEEDING MEALS. In connection with the utilisation of meat and fish meals for the economic production of poultry and pigs, experiments are to be carried out by D' Malcolm and Miss Pope at Dunediu The investigation will be carried oul on meat, fish and grain meals produced in this country, and it is hoped thiU they will result in the increased pto due lion of valuable feed materials, somo of which, to a large extent, iim now wasted. There i s no doubt thru large scale tests in oilier parts of the world have shown that poultry, pigs and cattle, fed on a suitable ration balanced witli grain, meat and fisli, hav<* proved the value of these materials in production. At the present time on.y a small amount <>t meat and fish meal is produced here, but it has been definite'y proved that suitable meals can be produced economically. MEAT PRODUCTS. The investigation of a process involving tho use of sodium liietrito has produced an entirely new method of canning meat, and the Health Department lias gazetted regulations permitting the use of the new method. This process is both speedier and more efficient than the old brine saltpetre method. It enables the beef extract, wlr.rh hitherto was useless on account of its high salinity, to be utilised in Die preparation of highly-mitritions feed for pigs and poultry, and the meat itself, when canned, processes an even standard of quality and colour. The adoption ol this process alone will effect a saving to the meat industry of the Dominion amounting, at an approximate estimate, to some £30,001) to £40,000 per annum. SEED AND PLANT RESEARCH. Arising from a request made by the Research Council, the Empire Marketing Board has offered a grant ol £2500 towards the eosLs of establish-

ing plant-breeding and seeds research work. In addition, the board is prepared fo contribute £2500 annually lor a period of five years toward? the maintenance and running costs of those researches. It is intended that tae work will b e mainly carried out at the .Massey Agricultural College, and vr, d embrace the breeding, selection and treatment against disease of ta° grass?? and other farm crops of tlm Dominion. By an improvement in the quality and yip'd of various species f» farm crons, and their iminun’s'i ion against the inroads of fungoid and m-

sect diseases. it is hoped to lessen the heavy annual loss incurred b/ tlie Dominion through the growing of p<<u .'ind di?eased crops. The work to le carried out will amplify the good worl. nlreedv being done bv the officers of the Department of Agriculture Nmio. tiations nro proceeding with the l ** partmnnt of Agriculture and the Am cultural College Councils with a iie. to arranging the details neocs-nm ,nl carrying iil|||