The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1890.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXV, Issue 2841, 27 September 1890, Page 2

The Waikato Times. AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE.

SATURDAY, SEPT. 27, 1890.

Equal and cxact justice to all men. Of whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political.

We have much pleasure in drawing attention to a letter which Mr Johu Hutchinson, of Orakau, addressed to the Waikato Farmers' Club, and read at the meeting held at Cambridge on Monday. Mr Hutchinson enquires if the Farmers' Club have appointed any analyst, or made special arrangements with anyone in Auckland, for analysing soils. The suggestion contained in this enquiry is of a very important nature, and we commend it to the careful consideration of our farming community. It is clearly essential that a fanner should know what are the component parts of the soil he intends to cultivate in order that the manures applied may be of the proper description to ensure satisfactory results.

It will be within the recollection of those who attended the lectures of Professor Thomas when he was in Waikato, that he drew special attention to the mistakes which were frequently made by farmers in applying manures composed of ingredients with which the soil was already fully charged. The effect of this is obvious. Money is not only thrown away but in reality more harm than good is done, and the results have been both discouraging and profitless. Agriculturalists are very ready to abuse the quality of the artificial manures or the seeds which they have used when their crops fail. In many instances the failure is to be attributed to their own lack of knowledge in treating the soil they are cultivating. Another function of the agriculturalist analyst is of equal importance. If a farmer wishes to sow any particular crop, he can ascertain by analysis that portion of his land best adapted for the desired purpose. This information is in itself most valuable, and can scarcely be over-estimated. Mr Hyatt has rendered valuable service to the Club in delivering lectures of a scientific character upon this and kindred subjects, but it can hardly be expected that ho can have all the necessary appliances for making the complete analyses required. We are of opinion that the proper people to move in this matter are the manure manufacturers—Messrs Kempthorne and Prosser. It would be a substantial advantage to them to undertake this work gratis, or at some nominal charge co their customers. Farmers would naturally order from manufacturers who supplied them with an analysis of their soils in preference to others who did not offer this advantage. Not only so, but the manures being applied to the soil in an intelligent and scientific manner, the yield of the various crops would be more satisfactory, and the manures used would consequently riae in public favour. The advantage to purchaser and manu facturer would|bu mutual, and would, as we have said, be of u substantial oharacoei'. I If, what wo have suggested, oan- ! not bo satisfactorily carried out, the Club might arrange with Mr Hyatt to provide liirn with the necessary appliances and pay him a fee for his services. In any ease, we sincerely hope, the Club will take prompt and definite action in this matter, It is no question of abstract theorising but one of the greatest practical importance. In these days of keen competition, the farmer must be prepared to take hold of all the advantages that, the knowledge of science can unfold, and this particular branch of it, that of agricultural chemistry, directly affects the producing power of the whole of our rural lands and therefore the wealth of the whole community.