EXPERIMENT FARM CHALLENGED.

Dominion, Volume 2, Issue 395, 2 January 1909, Page 3

EXPERIMENT FARM CHALLENGED.

: There seems to.'bo a. wave of critical interest m experiment,farms, passing through not only New Zealand, B but other, countries as well. .The tendency ;in . this direct 1021 in Bathui'sfc has' stago of. a:- chal-lenge-from a farmer who,offers .to stake £500 on his ability to. do better than-, the 'experiment farm. manager.:, One wonld imagine that such: an, heroic method would shake the experiment farm to its: foundations, but apparently it will dodge the challenge -'on the ■ plea. ; of departmental dignity., .'-The' "Sydney Daily . Telegraph!' 1 refers :to tho- subject as follows:—. ■ ..:<■ . 1 "Accordingio advices, from Bathurst; there to.h3ve- been a good ideal of. local - criticism with regard to Mr.: It. W. Peacock, , manager of- tho Experimental Farm; and his methods. Why Mr. Peacock should excite public', controversy, to. this extent is. not quite . -clear,, but JJra fact remains, and party .feeling on,the subject has developed to-such an extentthat while one finds., enthusiastio sup'porters .backing-him up in every possible way, and on every possible occasion, one' also'finds farmers,who are willing to back their opinions on the other side: with solid cash,- One of tho laiter, says our local correspondent; :• yesterday .issued a challenge to the Agricul- .. turd Department, .through the. local -press, that he would : back himself for- £500 to. get -.better results :'than Mr. Peacock, the -conditions to bo that 100 acres be sown with wheat and•oats for two years. -It is held by Mr. Peacock's; supporters that he should be- allowed: to avail himself of/the challenge, because, they think' he would then' be able to. demonstrate:- unmistakably; the' l superiority. ?of. his'; system, -but' it .is hardly.: : .likeiy' i that ; tbtt Department will' consent tosuch 1 a: proceeding." ' ' 1