FARMERS' SYMPOSIUMS.

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 1994, 27 February 1914, Page 10

FARMERS' SYMPOSIUMS.

'~-,... AN .'AMERICAN IDEA. Farming in the United States /and farming .-in Now-Zealand ate two : very different propositions, because 'of-'-, the difference in'climatic conditions,' soil fertility, and .farming sentiment, but ther,e are features connected .with'fafm' life in tho .United' States that could, with somo modifications, bo transplanted in New Zealand with to the farming community of the Dominion, anil one ot these features is tho farmers' symposiums. They are called -"chautauquas" in the States, and. they are literally schools for farmers. The mode of operation in.the States may be .briefly given. : -Each symposium 10 o'clock on Sunday morning, that the entire day may be given over to talks on the rural church, the rural Sunday school, and the resident rural pastor. The/ remaining three days are devoted to. tho-activities that'interest'farmers.Here, for instance, is the programme assigned to-a single day:— Morning.—Homo nursing; agriculture in the rural school, 'the price of inefficiency,, growing alfalfa. Afternoon—Vitalising the schools, tuberculosis, woodlawn farm. Evening—Boys' Corn Club,, consolidated schools, rural school's in threoo States.

During the intermissions, when the crowd is about the ground, demonstrations of • all kinds are held in small detached tents..- Farmers are shown exactly how to caponise their cockerels, how to bud and graft, how to inoculate pigs with serum to prevent cholera,.how to test soils, etc. The Agricultural Department, the schools, tho Universities, commercial clubs, and tho Health Department all co-operate. . One 'of tho most. important factors in the success of these symposiums is that they are held hv the country—far out'in the country, away from town arid city, no matter how small and rural in its tendency. Every effort is made to .-keep them strictly neighbourhood affairs,, rural affairs, at thoir very best; a place to enjoy picnic luncheons \ under the trees; a place to meet'old friends and new; a place to get acquainted-with experts; a place to,realise;that the Agricultural Department exists .'to help farmers.- No entqrtainm'ent or musical programme is provided,- oxceptwhat'tho farmers and their families can provide. Tho Farmers' Symposium is viewed as a serious matter. , It is an -institute, a question box, a deinohstrationj all rolled together, and duly seasoned with the sauce of social intercourse. ~'