§ Colonel Carverasked the Minister of Agriculture what arrangements exist to encourage and enable farmers to obtain the results of a scientific analysis of their soil before preparing to plant a particular crop; and whether, with a view to obtaining maximum yields and reducing waste in fertilisers, he will provide better arrangements for this service.
Mr. HudsonEngland and Wales are divided for the purposes of the Specialist Advisory Service to farmers into 13 provinces, each centred in a University Department of Agriculture or Agricultural College. Arrangements are made so that any farmer may on application to his County War Agricultural Executive Committee or direct to the provincial centre have his soil tested. On the basis of the analysis made, advice is given as to manuring and cropping. Improvements are continually being made in the service within the limits set by the demands on man-power for other forms of National Service.