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Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2137, 12 March 1908, Page 2

SCIENTIFIC AGRICULTURE. Despite tlio excellent work that is being carried out by the Agricultural Department there are many fanners in the Dominion who look somewhat dubiously at the few thousand pounds which are spent annually on its maintenance. They have -a- very natural preference for what is usually described as the practical side of things and will place considerably, more faith in what their own experience -and that of tlieir forefathers has demonstrated to bo a successful method of farming than in testing the so-called fads of Government experts. Yet the ultimate effect of scientific study on the financial aspect of agriculture is so beneficial that gradually the most conservative ■aro beginning to recognise its value, and it is not too much to claim that science is at present almost revolutionising agriculture throughout the world. One of the most striking results of tlie experimental work carried out by Government agencies is provided by the Agricultural Department of the United States which sent its agents to all parts of the world to seek out varieties of plants that might be unknown in the United States and which if introduced would probably prove of advantage to farmers. Amongst their discoveries was a wheat known as durum which was found flourishing in arid districts of Algeria and Russia. This was brought home in 1903 and successfully tested on desert areas in Arizona and other States. The next season more seed was sown and each year since the amount grown has increased at an amazing rate. It 'S a hard wheat, making a very white flour and especially suitable for macaroni. Last year, two-tliirds of the exports from the United iStates of Durum wheats went to Mediterranean norts to provide macaroni material for France, Italy, Greece and Spain, arid even the old homes oi Durum wheat—Northern Africa am Russia. Shipments of this wheatwere made to forty-three ports in Europe and Africa. The area devoted to the culture of Durum wheats in the United States in 1907 was three, million acres, and the average yield fifteen bushels, and the total- ciop forty-five million bushels. A great portion of the land on which the wheat was grown was useless foi -W ricultijral purposes before the mtiodnotion of this new crop, because of the low rainfall. The original cost to the Department of mtioduction was £2OOO. The value ot tie crop to the farmers now, is twice the entire cost of the Department ot Agriculture during the last hscal year, including the weather bureau, the cost of meat inspection, and the .01cst service. To realise what tins means, one must, remember that the United States Department of Agriculture is the most comprehensive m the world, and all its ramifications are so extensive as to be almost inconceivable to one who has not- been brought- into direct touch -with them Here then is striking testimony of the power for good that Government experimental agencies may become. Poverty Bay farmers grow practically no wheat and few oats,, with the

result that thom-mmls of pounds an*, spunt annually in importing these cereals.- Jl' the subject in mentioned, uo are told by tin' fanners that the conditions here are not suitable, and these crops always go to straw. We have little doubt tint if the matter were thoroughly gone Info it would he found that the trouble was merely one of variety, and that it is quite possible to find by carolul selection and (weeding varieties of both wheat and oats that would grow in a prolific manner in these Jocailities.