Bulletin Winter 1975

Cultivation of straw mushroom on cotton-waste compost Without these field studies, I would not have been able to make such close sustained observations. Q. Would you please tell us what is the presen t emphasis of your research? A. At present there are 3 major areas of research: I am continuing with the study of th e genetics and sexuality of Chinese mushroom, an d the selection of the best spawns; I am also studying the chemical composition, physical properties and microbiology of cotton-waste compost; and I have just begun research on Actinomycetes, which is a by-product of my mushroom study. Recently we installed a 15 Hp boiler to pasteurize cotton-waste compost and we found that after treatment there is always a greyish-white powder-like "substance" on the compost, which, while preventing harmful fungus from growing, promotes th e growth of the Chinese mushroom. Q. Apart from mushroom study , you have compiled an English-Chinese Glossary of Biology Terms. Have you undertaken any similar projects since? A. Yes, I am collaborating with four Biology teachers to compile a Dictionary of terminology in Biology. Instead of just translating the English biological terms into Chinese as in the Glossary, which contains 40,000 entries, we are adding to each of the 20,000 entries in this new Dictionary both English and Chinese explanations of the term. For this new endeavour, the University has provided us with a research grant, enabling us to engage some students to assist us. Q. I understand that as from this year, you, as Dean of the University Science Faculty, have to undertake more administrative work. Would this additional work take u p too much of your time and hamper the progress of your research ? A. No doubt, undertaking mor e administrative work means spending more time on meetings etc., hence a resultant increase i n workload. However, this should not pose a very serious problem if we can organize our work properly. 13