H.—34,

quality of both butter and cheese. It is recognized that the whole chain of processes in the preparation of dairy-produce for overseas markets, right from the pastures and the cows to the retailer's counter, require more attention, and there is very real need for scientific assistance at each of these stages to gauge adequately their importance and to devise such emendations as will enable New Zealand dairy-produce to be raised to a definitely higher standard of quality. In cheese the main defects are still those connected with texture and with discoloration, and while the multitude of causes of these troubles have not all been ascertained, a certain number have been definitely traced, and hence a certain amount of improvement has been effected largely through recommendations which have a bearing on the hygienic condition of the original milk-supply. The standard quality of New Zealand butter has always remained high, but endeavours have been directed principally towards effecting improvements in its flavour and physical characteristics so that it may more nearly meet the requirements of overseas customers. Marked success has attended these efforts, as evidenced by the opinions expressed on trial shipments delivered in Great Britain. These trials will give valuable guidance to the adoption of such factory practices as will produce butter possessed of that fuller flavour sought for by overseas customers. The continuation of the dairy-research programme will be along such lines as will effect improvements in the quality of both butter and cheese, so that ultimately New Zealand produce will be unexcelled. • STANDARDIZATION. As the outcome of negotiations made by the Development of Industries Committee, an independent body, known as the New Zealand Standards Institution, was definitely constituted during the year. In August, 1932, the headquarters of the institution was established in the premises of the New Zealand Society of Civil Engineers, with Mr. H. L. Cole as secretary, and good progress has since been made in the development of an organization to handle all questions of standardization in New Zealand, and to keep in touch with kindred bodies in other parts of the world. The institution is organized to embrace four technical sections, as follows : (1) Chemical, (2) engineering, (3) electrical engineering, (4) building. These sections are already functioning by giving consideration to draft specifications submitted for comment by the British Standards Institute and other similar bodies located overseas. Consideration is also being given to certain standard specifications of particular application in New Zealand. FRUIT RESEARCH. The co-ordinated effort of the various organizations interested in fruit research has resulted in steady progress being made in the various branches of the fruit-research programme. Immediate beneficial results have followed the investigations which have been conducted into spray specifics, as modifications suggested by researches have shown their efficacy when applied in orchard practice. This work, done in association with definite economic studies of fungi and insects, has greatly strengthened the position of the fruitgrower in his control over orchard pests. While manurial trials can only be expected to give results after a long period of years, some useful general information is being secured regarding systems and methods of application, which give fairly rapid indications of what may be expected. In view of the fact that such a large proportion of New Zealand fruit is marketed overseas it is essential that much attention be devoted to methods of transport. Investigations have consequently been continued in this phase of fruit research, and have thrown further light upon conditions of storage and transport which, in the Course of time, will exercise an influence in the reduction of wastage. The complicated nature of the problems and the great difficulty experienced in securing a proper understanding of such points as fruit-maturity and bitter-pit render a rapid solution of these difficulties almost impossible. SOIL SURVEY. A full understanding of the soils of the Dominion is fundamental to its future agricultural development. The important part which soil influence exerts has been well exemplified in those districts where stock suffered severely from the attacks of bush sickness, a disease closely associated with certain types of volcanic soils. It has been found that soil-forming processes which have been studied fundamentally overseas have important bearings in New Zealand, where both laterization and podsolization have been found to occur. In view of the extensive practice of top-dressing pastures with mineral fertilizers in New Zealand, it is essential that these processes be understood and their reactions on available supplies of phosphates, potash, and nitrogen appreciated. It would appear that a considerable portion of the phosphates applied to soil are, by some types of soil, at any rate, locked up in a form so that it is not available to plants. Reconnaissance soil survey work has been carried out in Taranaki, the greater part of which has been sorted out into those areas affected by respective types of volcanic showers. In the Waipa County a beginning has been made with the detailed soil survey of a district which ranks among the most intensively used areas of the Dominion.

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