SCIENCE AS AID TO FARMER

Hawke's Bay Herald-Tribune, Volume 81, Issue 76, 22 December 1937, Page 14

SCIENCE AS AID TO FARMER

More Research Work Is Advocated LINCOLN COLLEGE ADDRESS Greater attentiou to agricultural research work as an aid to the farmer in reducing losses and costs of production was urged by Mr. Norton Francis, a member of the Massey Agricultural College Council. in speaking at the di-ploma-day ceremony at Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, recently. Mr. Francis hoped that good results would come from the recent decision to

set up a council to co-ordmate tlie wora of the two agricultural colleges. "Of the necessity, in addition to the degree course, to provide in these difiicult farming days a suitably diploma course at agricultural colleges for all students who are going to take up a farm life, all must surely agree," said Mr. Francis. -"When we remember that sheep losses alone, from deaths mainly cau'sed by preventible diseases, cost New Zealand, according to Mr. A. Leslis 's estimate, not less than £2.000,000 a year, surely we must educate our young farmers in the latest scientific methods and encourage increased research work to minimise this gigantic loss. "Science has done .much for the farmer in recent years and4 with a little more monetary encouragement, can much increase its activities through the brains of the staff at our agricultural colleges and various research stations. Every farmer, indeed everyone in New Zealand — for our prosperity is dependent on that of the farmer — should insist on more agricultural research work being undertaken. Anything to reduce the existing sheep death-rate, to improve production, and to reduce working costs, is of great value, indeed, almost a necessity, when this Dominion has to compete witn other Dominions exporting similar products to the United Kingdom. "Ninety per cent. of our annual exports come from our grass lands: is not improved pasture management necessary?" asked Mr. Francis. "Let us all see that every faeility is afforded to our agricultural colleges to do their full share of this work," Mr. Francis concluded. "Lincoln College is well situated for such activities; let us hope that nnder the new council it will be encouraged to extend them. I wish the college authorities all success in their efforts to achieve this object."