SOIL SURVEY.

Waikato Times, Volume 105, Issue 17752, 2 July 1929, Page 11

SOIL SURVEY.

A £IO,OOO GIFT. VALUABLE AUSTRALIAN RESEARCH (From a Correspondent.) 1 SYDNEY, June 13Australia, it would seem, is just beginning to realise that it must produce more—that instead of spending loan money on further developmental work, it must make the most of those areas into which huge sums have been sunk in the past, and which are not yet returning a fair interest on the capital, which is as a millstone around the necks of the people as a whole. When representatives of the dairy" interests met in Sydney last week more than one delegate praised New Zealand methods and said that Australia was years behind the Dominion in the important matter of making the land produce all it was capable of. It was years behind in the matter of herdtesting and of manuring its pastures, and further than that its methods of making butter and cheese were antiquated. Many of the accomplishments of New Zealand were still in the investigation stage in Australia, and it was said that instead of spending a great deal In research here it would be better to send a delegation to New Zealand and learn first hand the latest developments there. However, in one particular matter South Australia probably leads the way, and this is soil ■survey. It was announced the other day that Mr Harold Darling, on behalf of himself and his family, had given £IO,OOO to the Adelaide University for soil research because he was so impressed with the wonderful work that was being done in that connection by the Waite Institute. The Institute is at the old home of Mr Peter Waite, about four miles from Adelaide, and it "was left to Mr Waite for agricultural research purposes under the aegis of the Adelaide University. Work of Paramount Importance. “It seems a pity,” said Mr Darling, “that the work was not begun earlier, because a big amount of money would never have been spent. In the future careful soil survey, directed by the institute, in different parts of Australia, will not only prevent people using unsuitable land, but will also help to indicate how land which at present is unsuitable can be improved. The work of the institute is of paramount importance to all Australia.” The Darling Gift will be devoted to the erection of buildings for soil research laboratories and the survey staff at the Waite Institute. The necessary maintenance funds will be supplied by the University. The special research work will be carried on under Professor Prescott, of the Gommonwealth Council for Scientific and Industrial Research—which will also finance part of the maintenance and provide the equipment—and Professor A. E- V. Richardson, director of the institute. The importance of the soil research work of the institute was scarcely realised by the general public, and even by men vitally connected with primary industries until last year, when Sir John Russell, the soil expert and director of the Rothamstead Experimental Station, England, toured Australia, By striking approbation of the experimental work there he advertised its importance. The institute collaborates with the Imperial Soil Bureau. The work of the institute is of importance to the whole of Australia.