AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE.

Putaruru Press, Volume IV, Issue 165, 30 December 1926, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL SCIENCE.

IS IT WORTH WHILE ? The application of science to agriculture was the subject of an address given to the members of the University Association at a luncheon recently by Professor S. M. Wadham, who recently arrived from England to assume* chaigc of the agricultural science section of the Melbourne University. Professor Wadham said he had been told that next year he could take considerable time to investigate at first hand agriculture in the State. That was surely a far-sighted policy. Agriculture in Britain and Australia was the same, only the details were differ-

ent. He was* endeavouring to master the details as they existed in Victoria. Several people were exercised in their minds concerning the values, if any, of agricultural science. The first great stride that science made for agricultural development was when superphosphate was introduced. That scientific introduction had worked wonders in the matter of productivity. Then there came a period of stillness in regard to soil matters. However, during the last five years scientists had made important discoveries, and now a pretty fair picture of the soil and its component parts could be given. All progress was dependent upon , pure science. Until pure science advanced agricultural science would lag. One of the problems which had to be considered was the treatment of alkali soil. Discussing science as applied to plants, Professor Wadham said that the annual wheat yield in Britain was approximately 50,000,000 bushels. The potato was an interesting study, and in Britain the crop returned 4,500,000 tons per annum. Potatoes helped the people of Britain during' the war. However, by diligent research the agricultural scientists had bumped up the British crop to a wonderful extent, and especially during the war period, that potato crop had proved a great boon. Concerning the control of insect pests, he would say nothing. Certainly thrips had played a low-down trick this season. Continuous scientific research was necessary if they were to keep pests under, so that fruit-growing could be made securely profitable.

The study of pastures had bean. neglected for some time. He thought that a proper study of pastures would be of immense benefit to the State. Vas agricultural science worth while? Every advancement was usually permanent, and if a new variety of wheat were discovered it might mean-much-,to..the nation. It might be said that agricultural science was only born in 1917 in Britain. In 1922 £125,000 -was spent there o:i.agricultural research,,and last year it reached double that amount. He had his own ideas as To where scientific research should be carried out. —(Laughter). He was sure that agricultural science was' worth while. In thanking Professor Wadham for his address, Professor Madsoij, of the Sydney University, said that it was fine to see such common interest manifested by graduates in the different courses in agricultural science.