BRITISH FARMING METHODS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1944, 30 December 1913, Page 8

BRITISH FARMING METHODS.

"NOT OLD-FASHIONED." In an interesting criticism'of British Farming, contributed, .to; the "Standard," Mr. John Balsillie, of Kairanga, who recently visited the Old Country, combats tho frequent statements that British farming is old-fashioned or slow. Such statements, Jio says, aro duo to an .'entire misconception of British conditions. In our fair Dominion, he continues, whero so-called up-to-dato methods are being adopted; if we travel through the country, what do wo. see? Grain-crops choked with weeds: also turnipsand other root crops. If the season is favourable, they are good to fair, but if, on tho.other hand, the season is unfavourable ■we find moro weeds than .anything else. 1 Why? thy cause the crops arc put-in in such a way that neither horso nor hand-hoo can bo used. Our A. and P. Association gave a prize last year for the best three.acres-of swedes. What.were tho remarks of tho judge? That therp was only 0110 competitor whose crop was any good at ■ all. Others, in some cases, being choked 'with weeds or from other causes made failures. Failures aro hot found'in the Old Land from these causes, whatever tho climatic conditions may be. The'land is kept well worked and root crops are kept free from weeds. Hence failures are seldom' if ever met with.