DEBT TO SCIENCE

Hokitika Guardian, 21 October 1930, Page 5

DEBT TO SCIENCE

WORLD WHEAT SUPPLIES. WARNING OF THIRTY YEARS AGO. LONDON, September 4. Within the past three decades the world has been saved by scientists from a wheat famine. This -striking pronouncement was made at the opening meeting at Bristol of the British Association by Professor F. O'. Bower in his presidential address. In 1898, he recalled, Sir William Crookes pointed out that with the existing acre-yield the utmost possible supply would keep pace with the increasing world population only up to 1931. Since then, however, the hope that Sir Will aim Crookes also held out that science, would solve the problem had been fully realised, Mainly through the production of synthetic- nitrogen {Hid the improvement of the strains of wheat by selective breeding we had reached a position of complete sec-drity.

Sir William Crookes’s statement was to the effect that,. in view of the increase in .unit-consumption since 1871. and the low average of acre-yield, “wheat could not long retain its dominant position among the foodstuffs .of the civilised world. Should all the wheat-growing countries add to their area to their utmost capacity, on the most careful calculation the yield would give us only just enough to supply the increase of'population among bread-eaters till the year 1931.” “The details of the impending catastrophe,” he added, “no one can predict, but its general direction, is obvious enough.” ./Vi . ■ After raising the spectre of wheat shortage, however, Sir William Crookes laid it again with the words: “The future can take care of itself. The artificial production of nitrate is clearly within view, and by its aid the land devoted to wheat can he brought up to the 30 bushels per *icrestandard.” GREATER AREA CULTIVATED. “We who are living within a few months of the fateful year of 1931 are unaware of any wheat-shortage,” Professor Bower continued. “Sir William forecast of 1893 as to the advance in the production of combined nitrogen has been fully realised. Artificial fertilisers are not in view only hut at hand and in mass. Moreover, the northern limit of successful wheat-culture lias heen greatly extend, ed by the production of new strains with ever shortening periods between sowing and reaping, while the establishment of new varieties is extending .the productive regions in South and West Australia into regions where rainfall is of short duration and restricted amount..

“The future, since 1898, has indeed taken care of itself; so that notwithstanding the warning of so great. a man as Sir William Crookes, the wheateating public is .still able to sleep well at night so far as the wheat shortage is concerned. “What better example than this could we desire, not only of the importance or applied botany, but. as showing abo how its advance .follows on research independently pursued;, For: the production of synthetic nitrogen, which has now become a commercial proposition, and- the imnrovement of the strains of wheat bv selective breed, ing along Mendel inn lines, are both involved in solving this crucial question of food-supply. And both owe thoir origin to advances in pure science.”