LIGHT RAILWAYS.

Dominion, Volume 6, Issue 1801, 14 July 1913, Page 4

LIGHT RAILWAYS.

. SANDON'S EXPERIENCE. "Handonian" think 9 training farms the most urgent need, but has something to say also of the benefits derived from the I'oxton-Saiulon tramway:— I—Yes, except that more attention should be paid to school gardening, etc., tinder tho supervision of a proper instructor, tlie training of our boys and girls is as satisfactory as .we can reasonably, expect, from our teaching staff.. As tho future success of farming depends 011 training of its youth, there is not a better founding than that obtained in the gardens of their youth. Nature study and indirect benefit derived from gardening, is almoyt essential to all school children. The care, attention, and system required (or garclenin;, and imperative for the fu-

ture good of farming, does surely not lose its characteristic qualities on any youth, no matter what tueir future lot in life may be. 2.—Yes; but much may be done by the co-operatfon of farmers to get better returns for their products, but this seems to be impossible, largely owing 10 tho lack of genuino farmers. There are too many spectators on the land, who have no/idea of how to produce to mako a living, but are simply waiting for the value of their property to increase, so that they can either mortgage or sell at a good profit, hence they take no interest in co-operation or the future .welfare of tho farmer. 3.—Yes. The benclita are only too pronounced in tho splendid results ami concessions derived from the Sandon-Carnar-von tramway. This lino of light railway runs from the Rangitikei River to the port of Foslon, about 21 miles, and it is fed by some of the best all-round agricultural land in the Dominion. Apart from the fact that it is a means of conveying motal to most desirable centres, and thus relieving the roads ol much heavy traffic, it is the access to other markets. There is not. the least doubt that if it were not for this tramway tho conditions of faming surrounding this district would bo very much altered, owing to the distance of tarting, and this alteration may not be beneficial to tho producer or to the district. 4.—Postal and telephone services .satisfactory. s—Yes, but mostly indirect benefits are derived by farmers through the existence of agricultural shows, especially the National Dairy Show.- A thorough inspection of stock, produce, and machinery has much educational value to them. A farmer who is keenly observant obtains much useful knowledge. The splendid display of produce, up-to-date machinery, and the good and various types of stock through improved breeding, to bo seen at agricultural shows cannot but'appeal to him, and give him that inspiration to try and do likewise. It is one of. the things in his agricultural education that impresses upon him, that to improve the standard of his stock, and to increaso.the productiveness and the carrying capacity of his farm, he must revert, scientifically and systematically, to the more up-to-dato methods of judicious selection and proper cultivation. He also learns by becoming an exhibitor. He may not know how good his stock may be until ho becomes a competitor in the show ring. Again, he often finds out how inferior his stock is when compared with tho best. It should then impress upon him that he is not on the right road for a successful foundation for his flock or herd, go he naturally looks to the right quarter for his selection. Successful exhibitors and agriculturists are doing much good by the distribution of their stock and products. They are also tho centre of observation by those who' aro on tho look-out for improvement in their stock, and tho best means of increasing their products and the general betterment of their farms, 6.—Yes, especially tho various' experiments curried out under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture. _ These experimental plots did not receive tho support from thu fanners that they deserved. The indirect benefit from the holding of these experiments is' evidenced by the number of farmers who are carrying out experiments with different seeds and manures on their own farms. 7.—No organisation. B.—No renters hero, practically all freehold. 9 and 10.—Labour' supply satisfactory and conditions good. 11.—Better roads, telephonic communication, and light railways may do-much, but the most important feature for tho betterment of country life is the training of those who are going to be our future producers. Experimental farms and agricultural colleges may do a limited amount of good towards tho distribution of better farmers throughout the country,, but they are unable to copo with the demand for youths who are seeking _ the practical knowledge that is so befitting for successful farming. The necessity for a training farm is essential not only to tho boy who has had no farm experience, but to a large number of farmers' sons, who could obtain better practical knowledgo then they could at. home. At tho present time the boy whose ambition is to become a farmer has to take his chanco when placed on a farm whose owner may bo an indifferent farmer, or has absolutely no knowledge of the essential requirements of good farming. " The dissemination of those who would go through a thorough course on a training farm throughout the country, would do much for the future, welfare of the farming community and the whole of the Dominion. This may be an indirect reply to Question 2, but there is not the least doubt that good agriculture means good settlement, and good_ settlers who will always court co-operation, and by such cooperation they will demand in reason the necessary qualities for the general bettermSnt of country life.