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facture of superphosphate the phosphoric acid is converted into a 

 soluble form. Yet it does not by any means follow that it is 

 absorbed by the plant in this form. In fact, it is recognised that 

 in certain " sour " soils, deficient in lime, superphosphates may 

 not only do no good, but may do harm. In ordinary soils con- 

 taining a due proportion of lime, the soluble superphosphate is 

 readily and thoroughly distributed through the soil by rain, but 

 that being so distributed it at once gets neutralised by the lime 

 and converted again into a less soluble phosphate. Even though 

 thus changed, however, into a less soluble form, it is more readily 

 available for the plant than if administered as bonedust, because 

 it has become so thoroughly distributed that all the fine root 

 hairs get ready access to it. It may be also that, although in a 

 less soluble form than the original superphosphate, it is yet in a 

 more .soluble form than in bonedust ; but that i? a point not easy 

 to decide. There are other questions about the use of phosphates, 

 such as the conditions under which bonedust becomes the proper 

 manure to use, upon which I have no time to dwell. As to the 

 function of the phosphates, it has been pointed out by Professor 

 Lowrie, in an address read before the Australasian Association 

 for the Advancement of Science at its last meeting, but not yet 

 published, that they not only supply the phosphorus necessary 

 for the plant, but that they act indirectly in several important 

 ways. They encourage the vigorous action of the soil ferments, 

 they hasten maturity, and they enable cereals to build up tissues 

 and develop grain with less transpiration of water. The im- 

 portance of the latter effect in a country subject to droughts as 

 this is, you will readily understand. It is well known that, 

 acting upon these principles. Professor Lowrie has persistently 

 advocated the use of superphosphates in this State, having him- 

 self proved experimentally tiiat a liberal application of this 

 manure always leads, other things being equal, to a largely in- 

 creased yield, and his persistence has been justified by the 

 result. 



I understand that Sir John Quick has tabled a motion in the 

 Federal Parliament in which it is proposed to establish a central 

 institution such as that in Washington, in which systematic 

 chemical, biological, and other investigations bearing on agri- 

 <3ulture can be effectively carried out. These are indications of a 

 move in the right direction. It is absurd to expect that any one 

 man can do efficiently all the things which the principal of the 

 Agricultural College has been expected to do in this State. One 

 man cannot be principal of the college, take part in the teaching, 

 travel round the country giving lectures and addresses, manage the 

 farm on economical lines, and at the same time carry on scientific 

 experiments, that is to say, he cannot do all these things as they 



