A PROMISING PROPOSAL

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 263, 2 August 1919, Page 6

A PROMISING PROPOSAL

Since its rural industries overshadow all others in importance and are likely to for a very long time to come, this country has everything to gain from fostering an intelligent interest in agriculpursuits and promoting a practical knowledge of intensive farming. Corresponding interest attaches to an experiment in agricultural _ competitions for country hoys which has been set on foot on a' modest scale by the Otago Expansion League. The lines followed .in the competition arc described by Mr. W. Stuart Wilson, in an interview which appears in another-column, and it is possible to concur heartily in his suggestion that similar competitions might with great advantage be established throughout the Dominion and on a national basis. The scheme as it is outlined and as it has been put into practice in Otago has _ particular merit in being readily adaptable to existing circumstances. Any farmer can easily allow his son the use of an eighth of an acre of land, and most country lads would gladly take part in a competition which offers them interesting occupation, some pecuniary profit, and the prospect of a prize. Yet with so much assured it would be a comparatively simple matter to develop such; an organisation as would soon make a competent acquaintance with methods of intensive cultivation, much more general than it is at' present. Apart from its appeal to the lads whom itis primarily intended to benefit, the movement ought to commend itself alike to practical farmers and to those engaged in the work of agricultural education as offering results of great practical valuer Great difficulty is often experienced at present in giving agricultural education the practical trend that is desirable, and probably no better way eonld.be devised of overcoming the difficulty than that_ of giving each individual pupil an area- to cultivate on his own_ account and in conditions offering full scope for his own industry, ability, and "capacity for imbibing instruction. In view of what has been accomplished in Otago and of the example afforded in America of a similar scheme developed on a national basis with the 1110.4 successful results, the assistance from the Government and. other bodies for which Mr. Wjlso.v appeals in order that competitions may be organised and maintained throughout the Dominion ought to |be readily forthcoming. There is no doubt that if the proposal were taken up on proper lines any outlay involved would be much more '•ban balanced by compensating benefits, and that these would be far-reaching. As Mr,. Wilson observes, the benefits of the movement would not be confined to competitors. The boys, chiefly farmers' sons, would work under the eyes of their fathers and their neighbours, and besides discussing their work and the expert advice they had received would give a practical demonstration of how to increase production on the home farm. The movement would make, in an ini•portant degree for the more effective us? of land and increased production from given areas, and would serve its_ not least valuable purpose in-giving the sons of farmers and other country lads' a greatly increased incentive to devote themselves to rural pursuits instead nf drifting into the towns. On all grounds such a movement is manifestly entitled to national recognition and to all reasonable support and encouraeement.