H.—34.

lambs, concerning the value of cobalt-bearing limestones as against cobaltized superphosphate Results just received from Southland show a very definite increase in weight of lambs from both the lime and the cobaltized superphosphate plots in comparison with the lambs grazing plots receiving superphosphate only. (7) Chemical Methods. A very detailed examination lias been made of the technique elaborated at the Cawthron Institute for the conduct of the nitroso-R-salt method in the estimation of cobalt in pastures. The importance of adding the nitroso-R-salt before and not after the neutralization of the cobalt solutions is clearly revealed by the investigations. WHEAT RESEARCH INSTITUTE. Advisory Committee : Professor H. G. Denham, Council of Scientific and Industrial Research (Chairman) ; Mr. C. S. Sapsford, Department of Industries and Commerce ; Mr. R. B. Tennent, Department of Agriculture; Mr. R. K. Ireland, Mr. R.J. Lyon, and Mr. J. P. O'Connor, representing flourmillers; Mr. C. E. Boon, Mr. W. H. S. Newsomc, and Mr. R. T. H. Norton, representing bakers ; Mr. W. W. Mulholland, Mr. J. Carr, and Mr. P. R. Talbot, representing wheatgrowers ; Mr. W. 0. Rennie, representing Canterbury Agricultural College ; Mr J. VV. Hadfield, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research ; Mr. G. Fleetwood, representing grain-merchants. Director: Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf. Staff. The position of Junior Chemist was filled by the appointment of Dr. Rosa Stern, of Vienna, who has had a wide experience of cereal chemistry. Mr. H. R. Hansen, who had been Travelling Baker Expert for some years, accepted another appointment in May. His expenses and salary were shared between the Wheat Research Institute and the Wheat Committee of the Department of Industries and Commerce. The vacancy has not yet been filled, but it is hoped that during the coming year the Institute will have sufficient funds available to enable it to appoint a travelling baker to its staff. Dr. Fraukel visited England to attend the International Congress of Genetics. He brought back much useful information. Accommodation. The now laboratory in Christ-church was ready for occupation before Christmas. The improved facilities for work are much appreciated. A greenhouse is being erected at Lincoln, and it is anticipated that this will shorten by 10 per cent., or possibly 20 per cent., the process of producing new wheats. The necessary authorities have been granted for the erection of the new plant-breeding laboratory at Lincoln. The action of Lincoln College in providing ground for these structures is much appreciated. Wheatgrowing Practice. The figures collected by the Government Statistician on the threshing and sowing of wheat have again been made available to the Institute for analysis, and advice has been offered again to farmers on the varieties most profitable for them to grow. Models have been made and widely exhibited showing the best methods of drying wheat on the farm. Wheat-breeding. During 1939 Cross 7 was sown on over 100,000 acres, an indication of the acceptability of the variety. Its quality continues to be highly satisfactory. The variety to be known as Fife-Tuscan has now been under test for five years in sixteen localities. Its yield is on the average 3 bushels per acre higher than that of Tuscan and Cross 7, although its quality is no better than that of Tuscan. There are now about 500 bushels of seed available, and this will be sown on contract so as to provide about 10,000 bushels of seed for farmers' use next year. Other more recent crosses continue to show promise for special conditions. The total number of plots grown at Lincoln in 1939-4:0 was in excess of 25,000. Laboratory Work. The harvest of 1940 stands on record as one of the best and quickest ever known. The wheat came into store with less than 14 per cent, of moisture on the average, and many lines were under 12 per cent. Despite this fact, nearly two thousand lines of wheat had been sent to the Institute for moisture testing by the end of February, this figure showing the increased interest taken by farmers in ensuring that their wheat was in good condition for harvesting, and also the spread in the use of header harvesters. It is estimated that 70 per cent, of the wheat on the flat land of Canterbury was headed this year. The unusual dryness of the wheat introduced a complication for flourniillers whose mills are set to deal with wheat whose average moisture content is 15 per cent, to 16 per cent. Tempering therefore became necessary, and some assistance was rendered to millers by indicating the best methods to be adopted in this process, and the improvement in flour quality that resulted therefrom. In contradistinction to the work on dry wheat, investigations were prosecuted on the drying of wet wheat, both by natural and artificial processses. The Institute is now in a position to recommend commercial procedures when a season of out-of-condition wheat occurs.

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