SCIENCE AND THE FARMER

Dominion, Volume 21, Issue 118, 16 February 1928, Page 9

SCIENCE AND THE FARMER

CO-OPERATION NEEDED

HOW THE GOVERNMENT CAN HELP Dominion Special Service. Masterton, February 15. Directions in which the Government cjn help primary industries by the application of scientific research were outlined by Mr. Coates at the Masterton A. and P. Association’s smoke concert. “The farmers of this country should get together,” declared Mr. " Coates. “We cannot get ahead without co-operation.” As far as the pig industry was concerned there had been no organisation, but in view of its national value it was decided to assist it. It was anticipated that by next year a scheme would be worked out which would place the industry in a more important position than it was today. There were many ways in which farmers could be assisted. Practical science was the best way, and during the past eighteen months, for the first time in the history of the Dominion, an attempt had been made to organise, all the knowledge of the country and place it at the disposal of primary industries and secondary industries as well. Products had to be grown that would compete successfulyl with that of any other country, and therefore the best advice possible had to be given to producers. Dealing with deteriorated lands, Mr. Coates said that by the application of scientific investigations, in co-operation with the farmers, it was hoped to make it easier for the man on the land to bring back the virginity of the soil and its carrying capacity. In the freezing industry, as the outcome of the activities of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research, new methods had been introduced, resulting in the saving of approximately 1140,000. There was also the utilisation of waste products from freezing works. Extensive tests had taken place at the Cawthron Institute regarding noxious weeds, and it was hoped that that institution would shortly make a declaration of the value to the farming industry in that connection.