H—29

Field Experimental Work The research work of the Extension Division is a major activity of the staff and covers a large and expanding field of work. The demands from the farming community and trade interests for an increasing amount of experimental work are being met as far as the number of trained staff available allows. The scope of research is ever-widening and it becomes increasingly necessary to have available the services of specialists and research stations if the field staff is to be used with the greatest efficiency. The integration of the research work of all sections of the Extension Division has been accomplished with this object and this report, although primarily concerned with co-operative experiments conducted on private farms, summarizes results of projects in which various specialist officers and research stations have played an important part. The total numbers of trials conducted are shown by the following table :

Numbers of Trials

Grand total of trials open at 31st March, 1950, was 1,056. In addition to carrying out the statistical analysis of the results from these trials the Crop Experimentalist's Section has undertaken a number of additional projects including measurements of the spread of fertilizer distributed from aircraft and from blower-type top-dressers, the analysis of results from surveys of factors affecting the yield of wheat, of factors influencing the incidence of blind-seed disease of rye-grass, and of factors associated with the occurrence of clover seed producing abnormal growths

16

Nature of Trials. Co-operative Trials. Rukuhia Soil Research Station. Marton Experimental Area. Winchmore Irrigation Station. Flock House and Demonstration Farms. Pasture-production measurement— As at 1st April, 1949 1 11 12 1 7 Laid down during year 1 3 4 6 1 Discontinued during year 1 As at 31st March, 1950 2 14 if> 7 7 Observational top-dressing on pasture — As at 1st April, 1949 220 11 2 4 Laid down during year 106 4 3 Discontinued during year 86 As at 31st March, 1950 240 15 2 7 Pasture species— As at 1st April, 1949 251 5 3 11 Laid down during year 61 Discontinued during year 67 3 1 As at 31st March, 1950 245 2 3 10 Annual crops — As at 1st April, 1949 227 3 6 14 19 Laid down during year 193 2 5 12 23 Discontinued during year 224 3 6 13 19 As at 31st March, 1950 196 2 5 13 23 Miscellaneous — As at 1st April, 1949 318 4 2 10 Laid down during year 81 1 1 15 . Discontinued during year 167 3 15 As at 31st March, 1950 232 2 3 10 Totals — As at 1st April, 1949 1,017 25 23 22 51 Laid down during year 442 9 10 19 42 Discontinued during year 544 3 12 13 36 As at 31st March, 1950 915 31 25 28 57