EXPERIMENT FARM VISITS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 808, 4 May 1910, Page 8

EXPERIMENT FARM VISITS.

' ONLY PICNICS tfISCOTTIUGED. In reply to a letter from Mr. "ft ■ H. T yield, inquiring whether it was correct that: visits.of farmers to the Government : ■ experiment farms 'were being discouraged, •ithe Minister ..for Agriculture' (Hon.. 1. ! wVites: "Ihe statement ■ that ; ithe Agricultural, Department discourages i. lather thaii .encourages visits to its ex- . !per)mental ; stations comes to ■ mo as a ■ surprise, arid.' I. am writing to tho. re--1 gpective managers to ascertain if any such i. lino of action has been taken. I would ' ibe very' glad if you could let me know the'nariies of any farmers who have received that- impression so that I may ! obtain,.from -them information, regarding ■ officers .discouraging visits. The farmers / Tare ■welcomed at these places ; : 'a.ncl ; as fat l as Weraroa. is'concerned I may say that i 'I'have just"placed, a' small yearly grant of money at. the disposal of the manager (for the purpose of entertaining visitors. ; 'What may; have, reached their ears may : (be in connection with picnics to some ,of i ,these farm's'which'.icost upwards of .£SO : . .a visit. These used to , be' made to ' Waeronga and other farms. I informed the director.: that I could not permit : their : continuance, more, especially as it is quite, impossible for farmers to come in great crowds to get information as to ■ experiments that would be of value to them..The best way .to obtain such information is .by-means of individual visits or small parties." \ . .