Agricultural Department's Scientific Activities.
Particulars of illustrations.—(top) Typical wheat variety trial. Wheat variety trials are carried out all over the chief wheat-growing districts by the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture in collaboration with the Wheat Research Institute on farmers' properties. (Centre) Measuring production from various fertilizers applied to grassland. The determination of the methods best adapted to getting the maximum effect from lime and fertilizers, especially during periods of low production, is one of the primary objects of this work. Below (left) A striking but not uncommon effect of inoculating lucerne seed with culture supplied by the Plant Research Station of the Department of Agriculture. The foreground was sown with untreated seed and the background with seed treated with inoculating culture. Below (right) Seed-germination test. The Plant Research Station, at Palmerston North, has a seed-testing section. Samples are accurately tested for impurities and germinating quality of the specified seed. In the germination test the seeds are placed on moistened sterilised paper on trays and kept at a regulated temperature. “New Zealand Certified Seed” has a high reputation, which extends to Australia and other countries.