H—29
Summary of Numbers of Experiments laid down, discontinued, and carried on for the Period 1st April, 1947, to 31st March, 1948
Soil Fertility Research Station, Hamilton During the year considerable progress has been made in establishing the basic programme of research which was laid down at the inauguration of the Station. Limitations of staff and buildings have continued as serious factors in determining the scope of projects that could be undertaken. These have been most acutely felt in the technical field-work and in facilities for working up and co-ordination of results. Plans for a central building have been completed and the first steps toward preparation of the site have been put in hand. The acquisition of an area of flat land adjoining the Rukuhia Airport has provided opportunity for field experiments on a lighter and more responsive type of soil (Horotiu sandy loam) than any on the Station site. It is also well suited for trials involving cultivation and growing of crops.
21
Nature of Trial. As at 1st April, 1947. Discontinued during Year. Laid down during Year. As at 31st March, 1948. 1. Pasture — (a) Mowing trials 12 1 12 23 (b) Observational top-dressing 102 4 64 162 (c) Minor element 4 2 2 4 (d) Potash, survey 20 20 (e) Pasture species and strains 40 2 58 96 (/) Pasture establishment (general) 6 9 15 (g) Surface-sown legumes 53 i 19 71 (h) Short-rotation rye-grass 30 s 22 (i) Depleted land 3 2 5 2. Crops— (a) Wheat, manurial .. 4 5 10 9 (b) Wheat, variety 21 23 24 22 (c) Wheat, method of sowing 3 3 (d) Oats 5 5 9 9 (e) Barley 12 14 21 19 (/) Cereal green feed 6 6 (g) Brassicas 47 49 45 43 (h) Linen flax 5 5 4 4 (i) Linseed 4 4 4 4 (.?') Sugar-beet .. .. 3 3 3 3 (k) Onions 2 2 (Z) Lucerne .. 6 1 1 4 9 (m) Lupins .. 5 6 8 7 (n) Peas 1 1 1 1 (o) Maize 12 12 8 8 (p) Potatoes .. 33 33 42 42 (g) Other crops 1 6 7 3. Miscellaneous — (a) Pampas-grass .. .. . . 5 2 2 5 (b) Weed control 73 64 122 131 (c) Cultivation practices 5 10 15 (d) Casting worms 79 79 (e) Blind-seed disease of rye-grass •• 9 9 (/) Insects and insecticides 5 5 (g) Others 5 9 14 Totals 578 247 541 872