Agricultural Research

Sun (Auckland), Volume II, Issue 312, 24 March 1928, Page 25

Agricultural Research

SOLVING THE FARMERS' PROBLEMS Work of Cawthron Institute

DESPITE talk to the contrary, few countries are expending so much effort per head of population on agricultural research and education as New Zealand. Every facility is offered the novitiate farmer in his search for knowledge, while active research work is being carried out in regard to many of the greatest problems confronting the man on the land.

rjj Agricultural Department keep a competent staff of instructors lways at the call of the farmer. At ,11 times it is their duty to inquire into any problem with which he may be ‘confronted, and to advise him to the host of their ability in regard to its solution. Experimental farms are established in different parts of the Dominion, all with a view to investigating the problems confronting the farmer. Results of all experiments carried out here are „iven full publicity. For the young farmer seeking a greater insight into the science of farming in all its branches there are State farms, while, to-day, further facilities are offered at Lincoln College in the South and the jlassey College at Palmerston North.

All these facilities are available at an extremely low comparative cost. In addition to this money is made available every' year for the prosecution of research into several of the problems which, as yet, have proved too much for officers of the Agricultural Department. For instance, the spread of blackberry, which has caused alarm in many districts, is receiving attention. In this direction the Cawtliron Institute of Scientific Research in Nelson ia rendering a service which is gaining it recognition throughout the world. When the story of the later development of New Zealand comes to be written there is no doubt that the Cawthron Institute will be a very prominent feature. When New Zealand uwnemorates her benefactors, high on the list must stand the name of Thomas Cawthron, of Nelson, for it was through his foresight and genersity that the institute came into being. The founding of the institute was made possible by the gift of £240,000 :, v Mr. Cawthron, but it was not until 1920, seven years after his death, that the institute was finally established.

There was trouble over the interpretation of his will, and also an unsuccessful flight to obtain a partial or complete remission of the £40,000 claimed as death duty by the Government. On the advice of a private commission the executors finally decided to establish an institute which should conduct research into agricultural and fruit-growing problems. On the staff are agriculturalists, pomologists, mycologists, entomologists, and chemists, not to speak of meteorologists, photographers, curator of the museum, and gardeners, etc. The building, which stajids in three acres of land, is a house of 15 rooms fitted up with specially equipped laboratories. Other plots of land have been acquired from time to time all i

over the Nelson Province enabling experiments to be carried out in various types of soil. Many kinds of crops are grown in the Nelson district, each having its own soil problems, its own special disease, and its own insect and other pests. Thus there is a multiplicity of points requiring careful investigation, the results of which are of interest to farmers all over New Zealand.

Among the many activities of the institute may be mentioned research into systems of cool storage, the results of which have proved so valuable to fruit growers. Another interesting side of the institute’s work is the entomological department which is carrying out a highly valuable and almost sensational war against insect pests and noxious weeds. Thus, it can be seen, that while there may be room for reform, New Zealand, both as a result of Government activity and private benefactors, has done much to throw light on the problems confronting the man on the land. Certainly with the facilities available there is no excuse for the haphazard working-in-the-dark methods which have prevailed so largely in the past.