STATE RESEARCH WORK

Sun (Auckland), Volume III, Issue 823, 18 November 1929, Page 10

STATE RESEARCH WORK

I PARASITES TO KILL WEEDS ACCLIMATISATION TROUBLES Press A ssoeia t ion WELLING TO X. Today. Tlie TJon. Jf. Atmore. Minister of Scientific and Industrial Research, has been supplied with a full report by Air. G. Shirtcliffe. chairman of the Council of Seinetifie and Industrial Research, dealing with the progress of research activities during the past j three months. The report deals with the importation : of the grorse parasite, Apion Ulicis for | tho acclimatisation of which a temi porary field station has been estabi lished at Mount Flagstaff, near Dun- ! odin. The mortality in these insects ; is very high during transportation and in future it is proposed that importations lie made on living gorse plants. Similar difficulties have attended thework on the acclimatisation of the blackberry insect. Coraebus Rubi. These are imported in infested blackberry and rose stocks, and although a boil t 20 per cent, of beetles emerg e', their mortality rate in specially heated . insoetarie.s is high. However, some of the insects have attacked blackberries ami the results of this infestation should become apparent in November or December. The report also goes on to deal with research into the mineral contents oi pastures, wheat growing, afforestation, . pig raising, etc.