AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

Dominion, Volume 12, Issue 271, 12 August 1919, Page 10

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

' DR. REAKES APPROVES. "I think it is a ve,ry good scheme indee<l," said the Director of Agriculture (Dr.,-C. J. Realccs) when asked for ail opinion regarding the proposal, already discussed by many authorities in the columns of Tiie Dominion, to arrange agricultural competitions for boys throughout. Now' Zealand. "The Agricultural Department would be only too pleased to assist the originators of the scheme in any practicable way possible and to arTango' for its field inspection officers to co-operate in carrying it oyt." Competitions 'of the kind suggested have been, arranged already in Otago by the Otago Expansion League. Dr. Reakes mentioned that tho Department had arranged to sond to Dunediu for tho purpose of. carrying out work in Otago and Southland a highly-trained agricultural inspector, who combined scientific attainments witti good practical knowledge. Thi3 officer would bo takin; up his du-ties-in tho south within the nest two months, and his assistance would prove of considerable value in the effective operation of the scheme in that part of the country. Other officors would be available elsewhere, and their services oould be used, under tho direction of the Department, in providing competitors with advice and information.

"There can bo no doubt at all that the application of proved scientific facts and practical scientific methods to agriculture is of the utmost value to the farmer," said Dr. Reakes. "A"general application of scientific methods would go far to increase production in this country. It is well known at present that our farmers are not all good farmers, that even the good farmers are not always doing the best possible with their land,, ant! that in some of the most favoured districts of tho Dominion the standard'of .farming is not as high as in districts,{whore tho producers hoyo to con--1 end;. Tilth '.great natural difficulties. Any schomo' that will improve agricultural methods and-disseminate sound information, is. to , bo. enconriwed. The Department is at present making inquiries with the objpet of still further strengthening the staff, and so enabling it to be of further, assistance to farmers." .

Dr. Reakes said that the judging of national agricultural competitions would present difficulty." owing to variations in conditions. - He thought the only way to socure p. fni.r test as between boys working in different districts would be to place the judging in the hands of committees containing men who liad practical -knowledge of farming conditions and' "who could assess the value of the work "done on the various nlot.s. Tho nature of the soil and the. climatic conditions would have to be taken into account.' 'But -these were practical difficulties that-could be overcome, as they appeared to have been overcome in the United States, - whero similar competitions.'undoubtedly had been, highly sue'cessful.