H—29

to improve field germinations did not give any improvement to grass-seed germinations in these trials. The other major project is the investigation into methods of control of blind-seed disease of rye-grass, which is proving a serious problem to seed-producers.

Summary of Numbers of Experiments laid down, discontinued, and carried, on, 1st April, 1946, to 31st March, 1947

Soil Fertility Research Station This report covers the first year's operations of the Soil Fertility Research Station, established at the beginning of 1946. The laboratory staff are still located at the Galloway ex-ammunition factory, but working drawings and specifications for permanent administrative and laboratory buildings to be erected on the Station have now been drawn up. Some additions to the research staff have been made during the year, but there is still a shortage of qualified chemists and field research officers.

46

Nature of Trial. As at | 1st April, 1946. Discontinued during Year. Laid down during Year. As at 31st March, 1947 1. Pasture— : (a) Mowing trials 9 4 7 12 (b) Serpentine - superphosphate observational top-dressing 63 13 35 85 (c) Other observational top-dressing 15 8 10 17 (d) Minor-element trials 1 5 4 (e) Strains trials 15 6 31 40 (/) Pasture establishment 5 2 3 1 6 (g) Subterranean clover 4 2 8 10 (h) Surface-sown legumes 23 23 (i) Soil-erosion control by pasture oversowing 1 . 21 20 ( j) Miscellaneous pasture species 3 3 (k) Short-rotation rye-grass 35 6 1 30 (I) Technique trials 4 4 (m) Miscellaneous pasture trials (depleted land) 7 4 3 (n) Grazing trials 2 2 2. Crops— (a) Wheat manurial 6 7 5 4 (b) Wheat variety .. .. 5 5 21 21 (c) Oats 2 2 5 5 (d) Barley 5 15 22 12 (e) Brassicas 18 18 47 47 (/) Linen flax and linseed 6 7 10 9 (g) Sugar-beet 3 3 (h) Onions 2 1 1 2 (i) Lucerne 4 2 4 6 (j) Lupins .. 5 5 (k) Peas 2 2 1 1 (I) Maize 8 8 12 12 (m) Potatoes 2 35 33 (n) Other crops 3 3 1 1 3. Miscellaneous— (a) Pampas-grass .. 5 1 1 5 (b) Weed control .. .. 9 16 80 73 (c) Feed flavour 17 17 (d) Cultivation practices 5 5 (e) Casting worms 79 79 (/) Miscellaneous 5 5 Totals.. .. .. 331 160 409 580