WESTLAND WINTER SCHOOL.

Hokitika Guardian, 5 July 1923, Page 4

WESTLAND WINTER SCHOOL.

EXECUTIVE REPORT. The Winter School again promoted this vein - by the Progress League, under tin l direction of Mr A. 11. Cockayne, Director of Fields Division, Agricultural Department, and -Mr A. 11. Tucker, M.A., of Canterbury College, though encouraged by the appreciative remarks made liv the farmers at. the close of last, year's session, was not. attended as well as the promoters had reason to expect. The main factor contributing to the success of an undertaking of this kind is the enthusiastic support of those for whose sole benefit it is organised, and the promoters anti lecturers receive their encouragement from the numbers who attend and avail themselves of u hat is offered them in the knowledge of unproved methods. Scientific methods would he the aim of every farmer, scei in »■ that, the scientific method means no more than having the knowledge to do things to the best advaut-

Too high praise cannot be given ihe several lecturers, and it is questionable whether at any time more talent has been placed gratuitously at the disposal of the Westland farmer. The thanks of the League must be given unstintedly to the gentlemen who placed themselves and tht'ir talents at the disposal of the community in a generous, honorary way. The course of lectures was highly practical, and the scope ol subjects covered most oi the matters of daily inierc-i to farmers, ranging hem the actual prana ration ol tin- soil lo the final disposal ot tile product. Several i,I the speakers nointed out the I nj supplying the public demand, ami the futility of attempting to cultivate the public taste, while otic ami all agreed that with scientific methods applied, the future lor the Lima I of this country is certainly bright. Indeed, the whole trend was in show thill Westland has great possibilities as a pastoral producing country. The range of suhjeeis dealt with, each by an expel i. was as under: - Soil and Soil Fertility : Principles of Manuring. Liming, Drainage, Root and Fodder Crops, Results o| Experimental A\ or k on the West ( oast. Dairy Farm Management. The Dairy Cow, Farm Horses, Diseases <L Ilor-es, Pigs and Their Management. Sheep and Weed, The Course of Prices, The Dairy Outlook in New Zealand. The New Zealand Outlook (general). The district has been extremely fortunate in having- at its service mi excellent a stall of practical instructors in farming matters. As remarked at Hie outset, the one untoward fact was the kicking el public interest in the very useful work of the school. It is not 100 much to say that I lien* might be snuie difficulty in repeating the school next year on the late lines. 11

is for the fanners now to indicate w|iat variation might be necoplnhh'. or til all events would meet their convenience. Perhaps it would he possible tu visit some ot lbe fanning centres where the experts could imparl knowledge directly to the local communities. The League will led it its duty in Ihe interests of the farming progress of Westland to do what it can to aid and foster in ihe most, practical way (lie advancement of the pastoral interests. Here, with Ihe comparatively cheap land, am! a climate which assists fodder production, dairying must grow to a great industry. and anything which can be don • at this stage to hasten the time when the product ivii v of Westland will hin keeping with its expanse, should have the hearty support of the League. The farming community gen-

orally, through iis A. and B. .Association, Farmers’ Buion, and Dairying Companies, should indicate the course considered most desirable, when il would lie the duty, as well as tie* plea sure, of the AYesthind Branch of the Canterbury Progress League to eonform with all reasonable requests in tie effort to pu-li the pa.-I ora I pursuits ahead to tin* best advantage for communily interestx.