WORK AND POSITION OF THE TEMPORARY INSTITUTE. 
insects and fungi known to be inimical to prickly pear. The effect of 
poisons on the pear has been fully investigated, but chemical poisoning 
is too expensive, except on agricultural land, which is but a small pro- 
portion of the infested area. Various proposals have been made ta 
cope with the pest by mechanical means—by cutting it or rolling it 
down—but these have not been found practicable. It is believed that 
the only economical and hopeful method of solving the problem is to 
find some natural enemy which will destroy the plant, and thus restore 
the balance of nature. Arrangements have been made to bring the 
scheme of investigation into operation immediately, the cost being 
shared by the Commonwealth, New South Wales, and Queensland. 
8. Flax Industry—In November, 1917, an Inter-State Conference 
of agricultural scientists was convened by the Institute, and this has 
had most important results. In the first place, as a direct result of 
the discussion on the cultivation of fibre plants in Australia, the Execu- 
tive Committee obtained from the British Government a guaranteed 
price for flax. A recommendation was then made to the Government 
for the establishment of a special Flax Industry, Committee. “This was 
done, and the area- under flax has already increased from about 400 to 
2,000 acres. As soon as there is an assured production from about 
10,000 acres, it is highly probable that the establishment of the linen 
textile industry in Australia will be assured. 
9. Cotton Growing.—Varieties of cotton seed specially suitable for 
cultivation in Australia are being introduced by the Institute for experi- 
mental purposes. On the recommendation of the Institute the Govern- 
-ment has guaranteed a minimum price for cotton cultivated in Aus- 
tralia. It is expected that this will lead to a considerable extension of 
the area cultivated. 
10. Seed Improvement.—Considerable loss and inconvenience result 
in Australia from the absence of any proper classification of cultivated 
varieties of crops. The Institute has undertaken investigational work 
in connexion with the nomenclature of cereals, the elimination of 
undesirable varieties, and the exchange and dissemination of seed. 
samples for research work in the several States. Valuable progress has 
been made, and already all the leading varieties of wheat have been 
dealt with. 
11. Native Grasses and Fodder Plants——An Inter-State Committee 
of experts is at work on the question of the collection, propagation, and 
improvement ofthe most promising indigenous grasses and fodder 
plants in Australia. This is of far-reaching importance to the pastoral 
industry. 
12. Viticultural Problems.—In co-operation with the Victorian 
Department of Agriculture and associations of irrigators represénting 
New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia, important investiga- 
tional work is being carried out by the Institute regarding viticultural 
problems, including both methods of cultivation and treatment for 
insect and fungus pests. Tlie associations recognise the value of scien- 
tific research on viticultural problems, and are contributing up to 
£1,500 a year towards the cost of the work. The Victorian Department 
of Agriculture is co-operating with the Institute in these investigations. 
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