DIGNITY OF AGRICULTURE.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXV, Issue 2185, 14 September 1907, Page 2 (Supplement)

DIGNITY OF AGRICULTURE.

(Sydney “Mail”.) There are yet tonic people'who believe that 1 1 rainy people are"wasted in the avenues of production. .”. By a parity of laxiYoiling it is ai'guetl that, no young man should go upon the land who gives promise of success in professional or mercantile pursuits. Such short-sighted folk aro deserving of sympathy. At ono timo, it is admitted, tho industries of tlie soil wore regarded as callings lacking dignity, which partly accounts for tho lingering fallacy. Although tho unspeakable foolishness is rapidly passing away, there yeti remains a tendency to regard rural pursuits as only fit for tho young moil who fail to pass muster at. somo educational test. At onco tho claim must bo sot up that agronomy is tho most honorable, tho most dignified, and tho most independent of all callings. It stands as the foundation of tlio world’s progress, tlio koystono of all secondary industries, tho rock upon which tho empirebuilders base their plans. It is tho world’s oldest occupation, and the one upon which every nation depends directly, or indirectly, for itß existence. And all the world over tlio yeomanry aro prosperous and contented, with brighter prospects to-day than appeared before thorn ol’ thoir forefathers. It is admitted in tlio past tho brightest youths have generally chosen the professions, bocaus© these fields scorned to beckon tihem. Yet in the older countries many of the cleverest have chosen tho open lives the country offers, and have fully justified their choice. Agriculture offers a great field to the scientist as well as to the worker. It is an inexhaustible mine to tlie inquirer bent on unravelling the mysteries of production and investigating the hundreds of unsolved problems. There is not in it the same self-satisfying attractions to the man u’liose look is narrowed by selfishness as in the case of 'tho entrant to tho recognised professions—nor, perhaps, tho extent) of tho remuneration—but tho thoughtful does not necessarily take that view, and oven if tho monetary aspect actuated him ill his choice, ho has the knowledge that his possibilities aro great. As years roll on agriculture must become more of a science than it ri to-day. And as successes aro certain these will tend to remove many elements of risk now present. Perhaps it was because of tho frequent losses through floods and droughts that agriculture was out of favor a docaile or so ago. But the results achieved by irrigation and food conservation aro daily improving agricultural, conditions and althoughttlie farmer is at a loss when water becomes the master, thero is scarcely a district in this State which -will not got these flood dangers mitigated by the construction of irrigation works. The youth who selects tho calling of agriculture when ho has tho chance to choose others is pretty sure to succeed. He need not fear b3 T the action he will throw any dignity to the winds, or that ho wiill waste either brains or energy. Tlio question which puzzles tlio smartest of our farmers—and there are somo amongst them not easily stopped by ordinary problems—is how to make the best use of the talents they possess. On the farm, in tlie dair3’, amongst the flocks and herds, tliero arc countless points of interest, to attract, and to puzzle, in which the mastery of ono generally helps lit ©■ clear tho way for the next conquest. And so the progressive, farmer finds liis calling of increased interest and greater profit. The trained mail who has as a basis for the superstructure a sound theoretical and practical rural education, must eventually distance tlie uneducated in the race. He has learned the value of system and ideals, and in following up the lines of a well-defined policy illustrates clearly tho value of scientific education. For this reason the State can take credit to itself that it has devoted considerable attention to the establishment of a farm college and experimental stations. Tho value of those cannot be over-estimat-ed. But it cannot rest upon its laurels. It must play to win more in a riskless game, which means increased facilities for tlie acquirement b3’ the rising generation of the elemental’ lcnoivledge so necesary in building up a great 1 army of primary prilucers.