H.—34.

(7) Green-keeping Research. —Selections of promising lawn-grass species have been made and these selections planted out as single plants for further tests. Further work in control of various pests has been undertaken, especially that dealing with the grass-grub Porina, caterpillar, earth-worm, weeds and fungous diseases of turf, has been continued. (8) Feed-flavour in Butter-investigation Work. —This has been conducted under the direction of Professor Riddet, Dairy Research Institute, in collaboration with the Morrinsville Dairy Co. (Mr. Stirling), the Fields Division, and the Dairy Division of the Department of Agriculture. Forty farms were inspected and botanically analysed, and these were placed, roughly, into four main groups. The night and morning cream from these forty farms was graded on an 0-10 basis from a feedintensity flavour point of view, and results were then correlated up with botanical composition of the farms. The following points have been demonstrated : — (a) Evening cream shows a feed intensity 3-6 times greater than the morning cream. (b) The grass-dominant farms tend to be mild in feed-flavours, and no feed-flavours at all are in evidence where non-luscious grassiness predominates. (c) Clover-dominant farms may give a high-feed-flavour intensity, and this may be given by white clover, red clover, suckling clover, or lucerne. (d) Young luscious-growing herbage gives a greater intensity of feediness than older and more matured herbage of the same species. (e) Weeds are not responsible for the general " tang " under investigation, but specific weeds may give rise to specific flavours. The investigation to date points to modification of pasture management as a means of lessening feediness :— (a) Every endeavour should be made to get several paddocks on the farm grass-dominant. Such paddocks should be used for day grazing (after 11 a.m. till milking-time in the evening) during periods of high general feediness. (b) The more clovery paddocks should be utilized more for night grazing, when it would appear that the animal rations itself in so far as little grazing is done after midnight until after milking in the morning. (c) Feeds should be utilized at a taller and more mature stage when possible during general periods of feediness. (d) The most economical method to grass-dominance is by means of a high per-acre stockconcentration, and this can be best secured by a more liberal use of quick-acting phosphates, such as superphosphate, over the general farm, with occasional use of ammonia ted super or nitrate of soda. Lime should be applied wherever ammoniated super is used. (e) Ploughing up and reseeding to certified strains of grasses is probably the quickest means of getting some paddocks essentially grassy, and this is particularly true in the bringing - in process of low-fertility farms. Fundamental work to arrive at the actual causative factor of feediness has been instituted in collaboration with the Dairy Research Institute at Palmerston North. The following areas have been sown out for grazing purposes and for stall-feeding in measured amounts, pure and in mixtures :— (1) Perennial rye-grass, (2) Italian rye-grass, (3) cocksfoot, (4) white clover, (5) Montgomery red clover, (6) broad red clover, (7) suckling clover, (8) subterranean clover. These will be available for trial during the next spring. Agronomy Section. The work of the Agronomy Section deals mainly with investigations and research bearing on seed and crop production. It is undertaken partly at the Plant Research Station, Palmerston North, and partly at the Government Pure Seed Station, Lincoln. Potatoes. —(a) Each year " seed "is raised and sold from the Pure Seed Station. The main objective is the production of pure and relatively virus-free " seed," and in this respect a satisfactory standard is being maintained, and there is a ready demand for the " seed " produced from the ten acres planted annually. The 1933-34 crop was very satisfactory ; the yield of the 1934-35 crop now about to be dug is relatively poor on account of the dry season. (b) Trials of local Manawatu lines of " seed " were again grown and afforded further evidence of the necessity for growers to purchase certified " seed." (c) A consignment of South American varieties of potatoes was received from the Imperial Bureau. These were planted rather late in the season, but sufficient " seed " will be secured to carry on. Importations were also made from the United States of America and Scotland. Wheat.—(a) As in the past, pure and smut-free seed wheat of the more important varieties has been raised and distributed by the Pure Seed Station. (b) A Pure Seed Station selection of Solid-straw Tuscan (13/28) has, for the fourth year in succession, outyielded College Tuscan by 2 bushels per acre. Unfortunately, this characteristic has not been maintained in general fields trials. A new variety which has also outyielded College Tuscan is now under field trial for the first time. (c) Selection work in all varieties continues with the object of raising pure seed. This has been particularly important in the case of Cross 7. A very extensive yield trial of selections from Hunter's II has been continued. Oats.—(a) Steps have been taken to raise pure seed of a number of commercial varieties, and some seed is now for the first time available for distribution. (6) There is considerable variation to be found in certain varieties, particularly Algerians and Duns, and it will become necessary to test out these variants before seed is increased. This work is progressing in co-operation with the Crop Experimentalist.

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