SCIENTIFIC FARMING.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1852, 11 September 1913, Page 10

SCIENTIFIC FARMING.

'AUCKLAND LABORATORY TO BE STARTED. ' . A; laboratory for tho analysis of soils, manures, etc., is to bo started by-the •Auckland cxccutive of the Fanners' TJnjiwi. At Tuesday's meeting of the ex'ecutivo several letters were read from •branches asking that the proposal to Establish a laboratory in conncction with 'tho union be gono on with. Mr.' J. E. ■Magill said that at present the guarantee given wider tho Manures Act was 'valueless, and it was essential that somo 'mcans'of "testing manures should be devised on behalf, of tho farmers. Other speakers concurred, and the 'chairman remarked that it apparently only remained to decide whether the ; iitnoii should arrangq with an accredited -chemist to do tho work .or whether thcy : should establish a laboratory: of, their o;vn. . , ' '' ■' , Captain CoHieck;'moved: '.'That this .•executive are 'fully'.'aware.of,'.tho import-, hince of affording, to; fanners';'.'reliable (•information on analysis of soils,, manlitres, etc., and do now arrange for tho '(obtaining of..tho services of a fully quali- • |iicd analyst, and tliat a sub-committee fcbo set up to deal with the Question, P.with power to act, tho committee to [consist of Major Lusk, 'Captain Colbeck, :Mr. Magill, and,,tho secretary ex•officio." Mr. M'Gregor, in seconding tho resolution, remarked that as a farmer, ho considered that ho knew his way about, jjbut at the same, tinie.ho l'elt that lto yiad failed to obtain an adequate know'ledge of such matters as the blending of • Vmamires. He thought'that a laboratory (•would prove of such value that he would fb'e prepared to pay a levy of £1 towards Ithe laboratory if others would do sp.,'Htey should engage the best chemist (available to take charge.' ! Tim secretary: The laboratory will be *the life-blood of the union, and I would !tax every member to tho extent of half ■a crown towards its upkeep if it wero biecessary. (Hear, hear.) I The resolution was parried mianiIwous'ly. ' "