BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

Hokitika Guardian, 10 March 1924, Page 4

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

NAURU AND OCEAN ISLAND PHOSPHATE.

MEETING AT WELLINGTON

At a recent meeting of the Board of Agriculture in Wellington Sir James Wilson, president, was in the chair. The president advised the board that it had come to his notice that some top dressing experiments with verv finely ground phosphate rock derived from Nauru and Ocean Islands being carried out in Victoria, with good results. He had been able to secure a sample of this finely ground material, which was submitted to the Department and reported upon In Mr B. C. Aston, the Department’s ehemi>!:. Mr Aston advised that the phosphate rock was ground very finely indeed. It was passed through a mesh 12H to the linear inch, and as a result it was in a much more available to’ni than the ground Nauru phosphate usually oil the market.

The hoard was of tho opinion that it was well worth trying some experimental work in New Zealand with similar material, and recommended that the Department should secure a small quantity for this purpose. BUSH SICKNESS. An outline of the progress made and of the work at present being carried on at the Department’s experimental farm at Mamnku was furnished to the hoard. It was noted with satisfaction that the developments on the farm, both as regards the maintenance of live stock mil tho improvements made, were very satisfactory. Mr Aston, who is dealing with the chemistry side of the investigation, in co-operation with the live stock division, stated that the results which have been so far arrived at were gratifying, and the current work was holding out prospects of a still further advance in the knowledge possessed regarding hush sickness and the methods to he adopted in order to overcome it.

After receiving this information the hoard expressed it- satisfaction at tho progress which has been made. ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY. A letter was received from the Royal

Agricultural Society of New Zealand stating that the constitution of the society permitted of the Board of Agriculurc nominating two of its members to sit on the council. Messrs T). IV. Westonra, Dunsandcl. Canterbury, and D. -Marshall, Waianiwa. Southland, wore selected to represent the hoard, and both these .gentlemen accepted the position. IMPORTED CHAFF. In connection with I lie importation of chaff from Australia, the question vas raised of the possibility of the introduction of noxious tvood seeds or disease germs with the fodder.

After discussion the hoard recommended that any future shipments should he carefully examined by the Departmental officers. The Director-General of Agriculture

advised the hoard that regulations recently gazetted made it necessary to obtain the prior consent of the Minister before (half or other fodder or grain coud he imported from New South Wales, Victoria, or South Australia, while the importation from Great Britain also Western Australia and Queensland nils absolutely prohibited.

The hoard expressed the opinion that it would he quite justifiable to absolutely prohibit the importation nl any commercial products which could possibly convey infection, and that if it were thought advisable to supplement Die present provisions with any other such a course would he quite warrant-

PLANT IiKKEDINC. In connection with tlio extension of the scientific investigation work of the Department, the board expressed the opinion that the appointment of a plant breeder was necessary and decided to recommend that such an appointment lie made as early as could be arranged. DEC (STATION. Drafts of Bills to provide for the registration ot qualified veterinary surgeons, and for the inspection and registration of stallions were perused by the members of the hoard, and tipproved. Some discussion also took, place on the point of amending and consolidating the Stock Act and the Babbit Nuisance Act, and the hoard expressed the opinion that it would he advisable if this was done as soon as circumstances permitted. It was further decided that an amendment of the Stock Act in connection with tlie oar marking of sheep sotthl he gone on with, irrespective of the proposals regarding the Ael ns a whole.