10 



a very large area — some people might understand a large area 

 to mean about 50,000 acres, but I think 10,000 acres is a very large 

 area indeed. The experiments that Mr. Vestei-dal has told us of 

 have been carried out over a large area which Mr. Vestei*dal 

 controls, and I think, therefore, that we can- rely on the information 

 given to us as being of extraordinary value. But I do not tliiuk 

 that Mr. Vestei'dal, or anybody else for that matter, would like to 

 lay down any liard aiid fast rule, because I think that you will all 

 admit that cultivation of soil in this countiy is yet very inuch 

 in its infancy. T think that you will agree in reading through 

 the paper — Avhich you will have an opportunity of doing, as all 

 of these papers are to be printed in book form — that it contains 

 a greater deal of information than yon can possibly grasp in the 

 course of half an hour as this Conference will not be able to take 

 them up for discussion now. I had the opportunity of reading 

 through Mr. VesterdaFs paper this morning before this meeting 

 and I have no doubt that it is a very important one. 



As to artificial maimring, it is a matter that varies a great deal 

 with the soil, and Ave know that Mr. V^esterdal's experiments Avere 

 made on poor soil which would necessarily show greater pi'ogress 

 than on soils that it is not necessary to treat in that way. Now, 

 we have not very much time to dwell on these questions long, but 

 I must thank Mr. Vesterdal for coming from so far as Johore 

 to i-ead this paper to «s, Avhich i have no doubt Avill be extremely 

 A'aluable to us. (Applause,) I will now call upon Mr. Spring 

 to read his paper. 



