PROGRESS OF RESEARCH

Hokitika Guardian, 20 April 1929, Page 3

PROGRESS OF RESEARCH

WHEAT AND WOOL

DEPARTMENT'S REPORT.

WELLINGTON, April IS

Extracts from the report of the Department of Scientific and Industrial Research state that good reports are to hand regarding the damage clone b.v ragwort by the larvae of Tyria jacobaea.

“It is unfortunate from the point of view of noxious woods research work that- we are losing to Australia the services of Air L. A. Tonnoir,” state--the report. “The question of his renlaeement is a difficult one, owing Lithe dearth of qualified entomologists, and it appears that there are not suitable investigators available locally without robbing other important lines of work. “Investigations at the Dairy Research Institute are being concentrated on the problem of open texture in cheese, but it is yet too soon to evaluate results secured to date.

SHIPPING OF FRUIT

“Regular experimental shipments of fruit (apples and pears) have been forwarded by vessels leaving for the United Kingdom. They will be examined on arrival bv the staff of the Low Temperature Research Station of Cambridge University, England, and. .pulsing 'by their report on last year's fruit shipments, very- valuable information should be forthcoming. “The Plant Research Station at Palmerston North is now functioning fully, the scientific staff of the station being engaged upon a wide range of problems connected with pastures and economic crons.

WHEAT RESEARCH

“Doctor Frankel wheat geneticist and assistant to Dr HilgendorF, lias arrived and lias taken up his duties at Lincoln College. Work at the Wheat Research Laboratory is in full swine on investigations connected with the present season’s grain. Some thousand samples of wheat from all parts of the grain-growing districts of both Islands have been assembled at the laboratory for tests. The director’s report dealing with the correct naming of a large number of varieties grown throughout Canterbury and Otago, together with the steps taken to certify good supplies of seed wheat, will help in the production of those desirable types of grain most useful to millers and bakers.

WOOL INDUSTRY

“A scheme to deal with the very difficult question of wool research has been evolved after careful consideration by a committee. The presence in the Dominion of Dr J. E. Nichols was of great assistance in formulating the plan for local research allied with the Empiro scheme of investigations.”