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thickness of blade in mole drainage ; (4) comparison between concrete and baked earthenware tiles for tile drainage ; and (5) efficiency of tile drains with tiles spaced in the line and with tiles laid as closely as possible. PROPAGATION RESEARCH Dr. J. S. Yeates Deciduous Azaleas. —The difficulty arising from the failure of rooted cuttings recovering once they have dropped their leaves in the autumn has been encountered. The tip grafting technique has proved very successful, but the idea of cuttings on their own roots is considered to be well worth pursuing. Tip Grafting Technique.- —This outstanding successful method of propagating difficult subjects has been tried under various conditions. Rhododendron Propagation.—Various devices to enable these plants to be propagated more cheaply were tried. Fluorescent Lighting.- —The underground propagating-chamber was most useful as a guide to the light intensity required for rooting various plants, and work is continuing on these lines. PARASITES OP SHEEP Mr. J. H. Tetley In order to contribute towards a fundamental knowledge on parasitism, and because of the incomplete success of past methods, a new line of study has been adopted that deals largely with the influence of environment on parasites. The object is to study the rhythms in populations of the parasites and gain some idea of the factors that influence them. Hygienic and managemental measures of control, and more efficient application of known drenches, are sought. SHEEP AND WOOL IMPROVEMENT Mr. E. A. Clarke The analysis of data accumulated by the fleece-testing department was continued. A statistical analysis to determine the relative importance of various factors affecting growth of Romney lambs and hoggets is in progress. The preliminary investigations on the photo-electric wool staple-meter for measuring tippiness of wool staple are nearly completed, and indicate that the instrument has a satisfactory degree of accuracy and speed. The value of the machine in determining the average diameter, break, and tenderness is being investigated, and it is hoped that a rapid technique will be evolved, which would be of great value in studies on the effects of plane of nutrition and other factors affecting wool-production. PIG RESEARCH Professor I. L. Campbell The breeding programme was continued, but in order to reduce the labour and supplementary feed involved in finishing off autumn litters fewer sows were mated to farrow in the summer. All baconers slaughtered are now being evaluated according to the national baconer-judging standards, as well as by the measuring system used in the past, and this will facilitate comparison of carcass quality with stock throughout the country.

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