PLANT RESEARCH WORK.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 57, Issue 246, 29 July 1937, Page 8

PLANT RESEARCH WORK.

NEW MOUNT ALBERT STATION It is anticipated that by the end of next March, the new plant research station now being established on a section of the Kerr-Taylor estate, Mount Albert, Auckland, will commence its full activities. Although for the erection of the large laboratories to be erected on the site have yet to be called, the work of experimnt and research has already commenced, but it will not reach its full scope until next year.

With plans completed, architects are now working on the specifications foi the laboratory, building. Possessing two storeys and a. commodious basement it will contain 35 rooms, which will provide accommodation for a staff of 25. Of the series of glass houses to be established, six will be erected this vear according to the latest principles of scientific design, all being fitted with specifications which render them insect proof. Air circulating throughout the laboratories will* also be washed and conditioned and kept at a constant relative temperature to assist the efficiency of the staff, as well as to provide a uniform background for delicate experimental work.

Preparation of Land. Under the control of the director of the station, Dr. G. H. Cunningham five research workers have already commenced tlieir work in Auckland and a start has been made in the preparation of the 16| acres of land which has been acquired by the Government for experimental purposes. Since the department assumed control of the area in December, the land has been put under the plough and the sloping portions have been set down in a cover crop of lupins. Although there is sufficient fall in the property to provide natural drainage, added provision is being taken to ensure success in tbis direction. On tbe lower slopes, the pomologist, Mr C. E. Woodhead, has commenced the planting of 2000 fruit trees of innumerable stocks and varieties, which were forwarded from the Plant Research Station at Palmerston North for scientific development at Auckland. Twenty or more different strains of the Delicious apple are represented! in' the trees, all' of which are of the dwarf variety which is used for the purpose of bringing the trees rapidly to fruit.

Fruit-growing Investigations. As the carefully-selected trees approach maturity and eventually bear fruit, scientific comparisons will he made of the crop from each strain to test such factors as resistance to disease, keeping qualities, flavour, colour and productivity. At the same time experiments are conducted to gain added knowledge on the question of mouldy core, a disease which causes considerable loss in Auckland orchards. Results from overseas experiments and research are also applied.

On one section, a quarter of an acre in extent, wheat will be sown this month with the object of carrying out investigations into methods of disinfecting the seed, while on one of the several hilly slopes strawberry gardens have already been set out. Coveiing a quarter of an acre, selected plants of Marguerite and Captain Cook together witli imported Queensland specimens and others scientifically raised' in New Zealand, have been established for testing on a comparative basis.

Water Supply. On the highest elevation, a reservoir with a capacity of 10,000 gallons is to be erected and from it will radiate hundreds of feet of piping for use in conjunction with a stationary spraying plant. i