H.—29.

4. Rootstock Investigations. In connection with the general investigation on rootstocks under the scheme of fruit research, I was asked to take charge of the botanical side of the question. With the advent of Mr. C. Woodhead as special assistant for this work it has been possible to make good advance towards our objective. Special attention has been paid to the Northern Spy Stock, the first aim being to see whether the stock was divisible into different classes. The first consignment of two hundred trees from a South Island nursery has been examined repeatedly during the season. As a result Mr. Woodhead lias isolated eight types. The bulk of the collection belongs to one type, the others are represented by a few individuals each. It is possible that a few further types may emerge by the time the season's growth is finished. These types will be propagated and tested out. A preliminary propagation bed has already been established. With a view to making a survey of Northern Spy stocks in orchards throughout the Dominion root-cuttings have been obtained from each of the fourteen horticultural instructional districts. The material was collected from representative orchards in three provisional classes : («) From trees of outstanding development and growth, (6) from trees of normal growth, (c) from trees below normal development, where this appeared to be due to the inferiority of the stock. Unfortunately, these had to be planted out just before a long period of dry weather. Only about 33 per cent, (a little over five hundred sets) appear to have survived. Growth has been very irregular, and it has not been possible to make a complete botanical examination as yet. Our earlier work had shown that distinctive types cannot be isolated on studies of the younger growth. Thus onlv one hundred sets have reached a stage where they can be classed. Among these two of the more vigorous of the eight types previously isolated were recognized. The type mentioned as being the commonest in the first lot of plants is also the most vigorous and more rapidly growing one. This predominates also in the main collection so far as it has been possible to examine them. There does not, however, at present appear to be a correlation between this type and the three groups as selected by the horticultural instructors. The common type appears in all three of these groups. It is too early to make any decision, but it appears likely that within the morphological type isolated by us there may be differences of a physiological nature. It is to be noted, too, that certain of the.cuttings sent in are not Northern Spy but seedling stocks. A number of the chief types isolated at East Mailing have also been grown. From the botanical point of view these are useful for comparative studies. Mr. Woodhead has also assisted Mr. Dallas in the general conduct of the fruit-research investigations. SEED-TESTING SECTION. N. R. Foy, Seed Analyst. For the year ending December, 1931, 11,766 seed-samples were tested, this number representing an increase of 1,305 on the number recorded for the previous year. This total was made up as follows : Seed-merchants, 9,236; farmers and seed-growers, 238; Department of Agriculture, 2,068; other Government Departments, 224. A total of 16,129 tests were made, which represents an increase of 13 per cent, on the number for 1930 and 31 per cent, for 1929. Certified Seed, 1931. A total of 531 officially drawn samples were received and reported on. This total includes perennial rye-grass, 302 ; brown-top 78 ; white clover, 151. Perennial Ryegrass. With the exception of the samples representing seed grown in Southland and Otago (excluding Central and North Otago) all samples showed a very satisfactory germination and generally a high purity percentage. Several of the lines of mother seed from Hawke's Bay and Poverty Bay, however, contained up to 20 per cent, of goose-grass, which lines were unfortunately shipped to the South Island, where in certain districts the quality of North Island seed was unfavourably commented upon. As will be referred to later, necessary precautious have been taken to prevent a recurrence of these complaints. Later reference will also be made to the low germinating seed from Southern districts. As from the Ist February, 1932, the International Testing Rules were adopted for the testing of the majority of the grass and clover samples received. General satisfaction has been expressed by the seed trade in regard to the change, and although in some cases there has been difficulty in interpretation of the test percentages it is freely stated that, through the removal of many of the anomalies which existed under the old testing system, there is a better' and clearer understanding between buyer and seller not only in relation to the export trade, but also to domestic trade. Furthermore, contrary to general expectations, the farming community prefer this type of test, and throughout the Dominion farmers are taking a most ususual interest in test percentages and their interpretation, not only of certified but also of uncertified seed. For the three months ending 31st March, 1932, 3,401 seed-samples have been received and reported upon for purity and germination, which total represents an increase of 1,992 on the number for the same period of the previous year, and includes certified samples as follows : Perennial rye-grass, 455 : white clover, 6 ; cocksfoot, 8 ; total, 469. The germination of all the seed from Hawke's Bay, Poverty Bay, Canterbury, North Otago, and Central Otago has this season been particularly good, the hot dry conditions obtaining in those districts during early summer being ideal for rye-grass-seed production. In other districts, notably in Manawatu and southern districts of the South Island, the germination of the greater part of the season's crop was below fair average. Much of the southern seed even at proportionately low prices could scarcely be regarded as being merchantable. The quality of later harvested seeds —cocksfoot, Fesoue, &c. —both certified and uncertified, appears to be excellent. Additional Routine Activities. (a) This season this Station has undertaken the urgent examination of samples of all lines of mother-seed and permanent-pasture lines eligible for reclassification as mother seed. In cases where the officer was uncertain as to the state of purity, sealing and tagging was delayed until telegraphic instructions were received —either pass or reject as mother seed. To date 304 purity examinations have been made and reported within twelve hours. Of this number 9, or . 3 per cent., have resulted in the rejection of the line on account of goose-grass content. (b) Test results have been examined and recommendations on a basis of relative value have been made in respect to practically the whole of Government seed purchases effected by the Stores Purchasing Officer

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