RESEARCH OF THE SOIL.

Putaruru Press, Volume VII, Issue 305, 12 September 1929, Page 6

RESEARCH OF THE SOIL.

INTEREST IN AUSTRALIA. Admiration for Dominion. Australia, it would seem, is just beginning to realise that it must produce more—that instead ox spending loan money on further development Tvork, it must make the most of those areas into which huge sums have been sunk in the past, and which are not yet returning a fair interest on capital, states an Australian journal^ When representatives of the dairy interests met in Sydney recently more than one delegate praised New Zealand methods and said that Australia ■was years behind the Dominion in the important ma.ter ox making the laud produce all it was capable of. It was years behind in herd-testing and in manuring its pastures, and further than that, its methods of making butter and cheese were antiquated. Many of the accomplishments of New land were sun in the investigation ! s!age in Australia, and it was said that instead of spending a great deal In research it would be better to send a delegation to New Zealand and learn first hand the latest developments there.

However, in soil survey South Australia was well advanced. It was announced the other day that Mr Harold X>irling, on behalf of himself and his family, had given £IO,OOO to the Adelaide University for soil research because he was so impressed with the wonderful work that was being done in that connection by the Waite Institute. The institute is at the old home of Mr Peter Waite, about four miles from Adelaide, and it was left by Air Waite for agricultural research purposes under the aegis of the Adelaide University.

“It seems a pity, ,T said Mr Drling, ''that the work was not begun earlier, because a big amount or money would never have been spent. In th< future, eareful soil survey, directed by the institute in different parts of Aus tralia, will not only prevent people: using unsuitable land but will also help to indicate how land which a present is unsuitable ran improved. The work of the institute is of paramount importance to a.i da lia. * y

The Darling gift will be devoted to Hie erection of buildings for soil research laboratories and to the survey staff at the Waite Institute. The necessary main enanee funds will bi supplied by the university. The spe eial research work will be carried « under Professor Prescott, of t!y» Com monwealth Council for Sueprifitj cm; Industrial Research, which will also finance port cf the maintenance and provide the equipment, and Professor -

E. V. Richardson, director of the institute^ The importance of the soil research work of the institute was scarcely reaped by the general public, and jven by men vitally connected with primary industries, until last year when Sir John Russell, the soil ex-v-rt. opr! rUvoo+or of T?nfba^ + or> rl Experimental Station, England, toured