The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1908. TO HELP THE FARMER.

Gisborne Times, Volume XXVI, Issue 2282, 29 August 1908, Page 2

The Gisborne Times. PUBLISHED EVERY MORNING. SATURDAY, AUGUST 29, 1908. TO HELP THE FARMER.

The very pleasant function so happily arranged by local teachers as a fitting climax to the Winter School was inotablo for an imjiortant announcement made by Mr. C. A. Do Lautour, Chairman of the local Board of Governors. Mr. DoLautour stated that arrangements were to be made whereby an optional course in agriculture would be made available next yeir for tlio sons and daughters of those farmers who desired special training for the work that was to be theirs in the future. In this connection the term agriculture must he accepted on a. broad basis that will embrace all the linos of industry followed by the “man on the land,” including, ordinary farming, dairying, stock raising, and fattening. This is one of the most auspicious pronouncements that have been made locally in regard to educational matters. At the outset the now movement is likely to be of .small dimensions, so small that many of those who are now enthusiastic in its advocacy will become disappointed and dispirited. It is more than probable that the number who will take advantage of the opportunities to bo provided by tile local authorities will be few, but it will steadily grow year by year until the agricultural classes will be recognised by all as the foundation of the prosperity of the district. Farmers are notoriously hard to shift when it is suggested they should break new ground, but once they clearly soo a certain line of action is to their advantage they will follow it with a steadfast determination that is frequently lacking in town folks. The average farmer considers schools useful enough to teach his children education in tlio conventional sense, but would scorn the suggestion that bis 6on could learn farming in any botLor place than on bis own farm. He will accordingly look askance at the suggestion of a two years’ farming course for his lad just when ho had hoped to have him take uj) farm work at home, but, later on, when the results of the agricultural teaching is seen, this class of opposition will be changed to enthusiastic support. Even &o recently as ten or

fifteen years ago tho idea of tho Stale teaching farmors anything was .■moored at by the avorago “man on Ibo land,” but nowadays the vor.v great value of a properly managed agricultural department, with its stall' of travelling experts, laboratory investigators, and its experimental stations, is fully recognised throughout tho country. But this movement for providing an agricultural courso at the local technical school is an indication of a movement that is moro important tlinn all the work at present undertaken by the Agricultural Department, for it strikes at the very root of oxisting difficulties in tho fostering of farming industries. Tho various officials of that admirable institution arc hampered at every turn, when they seek to improve tho effectiveness of agriculural industry, by tho ingrained prejudices and ignorance of thoso who object to all innovations on tho ground that “what was good enough in tho Old Country is good enough for this,” and it is a heartbreaking task to endeavor to persuade such individuals that the application of scientific knowlulge can materially increase production. Tho young farmer, however, who takes a two-years’ course in a local school will afterwards enter upon farm work fortified by a scientific' knowledge of tho main principles connected with tho particular branch of farm life that he intends to pursue. Not only that, but the inclination to continually keep his wits at work seeking for fresh ideas and utilising every now discovery of laboratory exports in tho improvement of his own methods will follow him through life. In other words ho will tako up his life’s work with an inlinitcly greater prospect of success than his father ever could have hail. This, too, is particularly necessary in a country like New Zealand. Our area after all is very small, and our distanco from the world’s markets is another great handicap, and it therefore becomes necessary if wo are t 0 successfully meet the competition from other countries in tho production of farm products that every sottlor in the country shall bo so well equipped that lie will obtain the maximum of production from the fertile land ho works. It was very gratifying to learn from Mr. DoLautour Inst night that the local Board intends to make it very easy for farmers to send their sons to tho classes when formed, and those whoso parents are not in a position to pay heavy fees will nevertheless be provided with facilities to participate in this important adjunct of present day education. If the Winter School which has just closed its session had done no more than bring to a head the matter of agricultural education it would havo more than justified its establishment, but as a matter of fact, an exceedingly comprehensive programme has been carried out with gratifying results. As we predicted when the scheme was first taken up, the series of meetings have formed an opportunity for tuition of the teachers by experts and also of an interchange of ideas ■amongst themselves that is now looked upon by all who participated therein as a most valuable experience. The funds which have been expended in the arrangements have been well spent and there is little doubt the community will indirectly reap a rich harvest in the future. The Board of Governors, as well as the Board of Education, are to be congratulated upon the success of tlie School, tho various gentlemen who delivered lectures anil in other ways imparled instruction are entitled t 0 thanks for the readiness with which they came forward at considerable personal inconvenience, anil, finally, the teachers themselves can be complimented upon the enthusiasm with which they entered into the scheme, and for a brief period occupied the unaccustomed relationships of pupils to teachers. One and all indeed appear to have combined in a harmonious arrangement that has made the first Winter School a milestone in the educational advancement of Poverty Bay.