PLANT RESEARCH WORK

Timaru Herald, Volume CXLIII, Issue 20782, 17 July 1937, Page 15 (Supplement)

PLANT RESEARCH WORK

NEW MOUNT ALBERT STATION It is anticipated that by the end of next March the new plant research station now being established on a section of the Kerr-Taylor Estate, Mount Albert, Auckland, will commence its full activities. Although tenders for the erection of the large laboratories to be erected on the site have yet to be called, the work of experiment and research has already commenced, but it will not reach its full scope until next year. With plans completed, architects are now working on the specifications for the laboratory building. Possessing two storeys and a commodious basement, it will contain 35 rooms, which will provide accommodation for a staff of 25. Of the series of glasshouses to be established, six will be erected this year according to the latest principles of scientific design, all being fitted with specifications which render them insect proof. Air circulating throughout the laboratories will also be washed and conditioned and kept at a constant relative temperature to assist the efficiency of the staff, as well as to provide a uniform background for delicate experimental work. Preparation of Land Under the control of the director of the station, Dr. G. H. Cunningham, five research workers have already commenced their work in Auckland and a start has been made in the preparation of the 16S acres of land which has been acuired by the Government for experimental purposes. Since the department assumed control of the area in December, the land has been put under the plough and the sloping portions have been set down in a cover crop of lupins. Although there is sufficient fall in the property to provide natural ; drainage, added provision is being taken to ensure success in this direction.

On the lower slopes, the pomologist, Mr C. E. Woodhead, has commenced the planting of 2000 fruit trees of innumerable stocks and varieties, which were forwarded from the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North for scientific development at Auckland. Twenty or more different strains of the Delicious apple are represented in the trees, all of which are of the dwarf variety which is used for the purpose of bringing the trees rapidly to fruit. Fruit-growing Investigations

As the carefully-selected trees approach maturity and eventually bear fruit, scientific comparisons will be made of the crop from each strain to test such factors as resistance to disease, keeping qualities, flavour, colour and productivity. At the same time experiments are conducted to gain added knowledge on the question of mouldy core, a disease which causes considerable loss in Auckland orchards. Results from overseas experiments and research are also applied.

On one section, a uarter of an acre in extent, wheat will be sown this month with the object of carrying out investigations into methods of disinfecting the seed, while on one of the several hilly slopes strawberry gardens have already been set out. Covering a quarter of an acre, selected plants of Marguerite and Captain Cook, together with imported Queensland specimens and others scientifically raised in New Zealand, have been established for testing on a comparative basis. Water Supply On the highest elevation, a reservoir with a capacity of 10,000 gallons is to be erected and from it will radiate hundreds of feet of piping for use in conjunction with a stationary spraying plant.

Dominion’s Sheep Increase by 1,097,030 Latest retum-s show there were 31,210,734 sheep in New Zealand on April 30th last as compared with 30,113, 704 on the corresponding day of last year, an increase of 1,097,030. The largest individual increase was recorded in the Wellington-West Coast district number rose from 6,238,721 last year to 6,611,546 at the end of April. Increased Pig Production The English pig and bacon schemes during their short existence of three years have been responsible for increasing the pig production in England from 2,745,000 to 3,801,000 and in approximately the same period its bacon production has increased from 1,350,000 cwt. to 2,750,000 cwt. Under the protection of these schemes New Zealand has enjoyed a much improved market for its baconer exports, which has also been reflected on its local market.