H.—-29.

From a practical point of view, the brightest phase of this work is still the examination of green sheaves from seed crops. Sixty-two examinations were made of crops during the period when the seed was developing and ripening, with a view to determining the proportion of diseased seeds. It is believed that when the technique is further developed such examinations may serve to distinguish crops which are seriously damaged and enable the grower to avoid the losses which are entailed in harvesting seed of low quality. Seed-growers in the Manawatu, in particular, have availed themselves of this advisory service, and it has been found possible to forecast growth percentages fairly accurately to the evident satisfaction of the growers. Malting Barley Studies. —In connection with the establishment of grading specifications of malting barley it was necessary to make a study of the incidence of flintiness in New-Zealand-grown barley. Eighty-six samples of grain were used. The examination of the surface of cut grains was found to be more satisfactory than the method of examining grains over a diaphanoscope. The results of this work provided a sound basis for the modification of the official grading standards with respect to the characteristics in question. Other work includes a study of the relationship between grain-weight and bushel-weight, and grain-weight with grain-size. The results obtained have proved of benefit in grading trials. Peas : Germination in the Laboratory and in the Field.—The lack of agreement observed sometimes between the germinating-capacity determined by laboratory tests and the results obtained upon sowing in soil has recurrently been a source of trouble. A comprehensive investigation of the problem has been made at the Seed-testing Station. It has been found possible to suggest some improvements in the testing technique employed in the laboratory. The principal source of the trouble has, however, been found in susceptibility of peas, even those lots of the highest quality with regard to vitality, to inimical soil conditions. High soil-moisture content and the presence in the soil of parasitic organisms are the principal conditions which militate against the normal germination and development of peas in soil. It is now apparent that unless these factors are controlled agreement between laboratory and soil tests cannot be expected. In the course of these investigations some attention was turned to the use of protective mercurial dusts. This work has not been brought to a conclusion, but it promises to yield useful results, and which should have a wide practical application. Storage of Seeds. —In collaboration with Imperial Chemical Industries, experiments have been commenced with a view to ascertaining the influence of organic mercurial dusts upon the vitality of agricultural seeds under storage conditions. Several proprietary dusts are being used and about ten different kinds of seed. The results so far obtained indicate that certain dusts have little or no deleterious effect upon the vitality of the seeds, and that others appear to be definitely toxic. This work is being extended during the present year. Other Activities include. —(a) Studies of low temperatures for the germinating of newly harvested seeds, reduction of percentage of semi-hard seeds in subterranean clover, and presoaking of peas prior to germination. (b) In collaboration with the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, trials in the machine-drying of Chewings fescue, following the work carried out by the Seed-testing Station on the deterioration of seed during shipment from New Zealand. (c) Special tests for the presence of black mustard in brassica seeds. The incidence of this impurity appears to be on the increase. (d) Identification of various seed specimens submitted, and of impurities of commercial seed and stock foods. (e) Determination of the percentage moisture content of various seeds intended for export. (/) Soil tests on various commercial seeds as required. (g) Preliminary work in the possible correlation of certain seedling characteristics and plant type. The continuance of this work will require glasshouse accommodation, the provision of which is at present under consideration. This work includes photoperiodism in red clover. Government Seeds Purchasing. —For the year ending March, 1938, 668 requisitions for seed-supplies were placed on this office by various State Departments, which number represents an increase of nearly two hundred over that for the previous year. Owing to the scarcity of supplies, some of the larger purchases presented difficulty, but all requirements were satisfactorily filled, especially when full advantage was taken of rising markets in the early part of the season. Land Utilization. Principally because of constantly varying political, economic, and social factors, the world's agriculture has been in a state of flux for a considerable period. Largely because this state of flux continues it becomes particularly desirable for a country in which farming is a major industry to know accurately not only what is being done in its agriculture, but also what could be done under any specific set of circumstances with most benefit to the national welfare. In short, a full knowledge of all phases of land utilization becomes of paramount national importance. This helps to explain why in recent years the increase in the amount of study devoted to land utilization has been one of the outstanding features of research relative to farming in several overseas countries including Great Britain and the United States of America. Similarly, the increasing attention which is now being given to investigation of land-utilization matters in New Zealand is in keeping with the fact that our farming position, far from being a stable one, is, and will be, dependent to a considerable extent upon trends in farming overseas. Our ability to adjust our farming most advantageously to changes in the world's agriculture will be strengthened by a full knowledge of the present and potential land-use within the Dominion.

6—H. 29.

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