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Hokitika Guardian, 9 August 1926, Page 2

It is to he regretted that the farming community missed the opportunity of hearing Dr Hilgendorf’s lecture at the Town Hall last Friday, because be Opened up a line of thought which would be worth following up by those on the land interested in fodder production. The worthy professor is an enthusiast in plant breeding, which perhaps strikes one as an unusual profession. hut when we consider the interest all round the world in animal breeding, it is not an unusual circumstance for attention to be devoted to the plant kingdom. We bear a great deal about scientific research nowadays and plant breeding is but a phase of that- development. As explained by Dr Hilgendorf, plant breeding is, after all. a very simple process, time and patience being, the chief factors for the task. But evolution in the farming kingdom is slow in any case, so that, the farmer is of the temperament whocould, apply himself to the task with a qualification which would go some way towards assuring success. Plant breeding is a matter of selectivity of plants, and their careful cultivation and observation with the exercise of judgment in dealing with the best plants when they come to maturity. The photographs shown of the experiments with cocksfoot grasses were something of an object lesson as to varieties, and there can be no doubt great advantage in careful observation of the thriving possibilities of the different kinds. Steady application to experimental work must have good results. What has been done in regard to wheat-growing is a case in point, for more prolific seed has been secured as a result of, the experimental breeding work. The professor is working on similar lines in regard to cocksfoot, and like application conhl he made in regard to all grasses. The results are of the first importance for grass is the first essential fodder supply, and in a district such as this, where pastoral pursuits are so prominent, the closest interest should be taken in regard to the experimental work. Now that attention has been drawn to the matter there should he greater interest manifested in regard to fodder production, and there should he some means established whereby the district will have regular intimation of the results achieved at the Lincoln .College experiments.