ANNIVEESARY ADDRESS. 25 



investigations into the nature of glutens, and summarized the 

 results obtained in a paper On the Constitution of Gluten, read 

 before Section B of the Australasian Association for the Advance- 

 ment of Science. Mr. E. H. Gurney has made some original 

 investigations into the waxes and colouring matters obtained from 

 certain scale-insects, and has read two papers before the Chemical 

 Section of the Australasian Association for the Advancement 

 of Science on this subject." Mr. Guthrie is also engaged in 

 compiling analyses of over one hundred soils of the County Cum- 

 berland, showing their chemical and physical characteristics and 

 discussing their suitability for different crops and their general 

 fertility. This he hopes to have ready for the May number of 

 the Agricultural Gazette. A preliminary investigation into the 

 action of lime on the soil has been also made ; the results will be 

 published about May or June. 



Mr. Guthrie's programme for future work is of an extensive 

 and highly important character, and includes matters which are 

 every day becoming more essential to further agricultural progress. 

 These are : — Investigations into the study of soil bacteria, the 

 bacteriology of butter and cheese making, wine making and tobacco 

 curing. In these already much has been done in Europe, but 

 much still remains to be done. Further subjects for investigation 

 are, the poisonous properties of plants poisonous to stock, the 

 fodder value of native grasses and the conditions under which 

 they thrive, and the use of manures. 



Vine Culture. — Some interesting and valuable work has been 

 done in this branch under Mr. Blunno. Steps have been taken 

 so that the extirpation of the phylloxera may be considered to be 

 well in hand as far as this colony is concerned, American 

 phylloxera-proof vine cuttings have been imported, and are being 

 experimented upon as to their suitability for different soils and 

 their character under the various new conditions in which they 

 are placed. Original investigations are being conducted as to the 

 musts and wines produced in different districts of the colony, also 

 as to certain wine " sickness" and experiments have been made 

 with regard to fermentation and pruning. 



