AGRICULTURAL LESSIONS

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume XXXV, Issue 4778, 19 November 1924, Page 1

AGRICULTURAL LESSIONS

THE “BETTER-FARMING” TRAINNOVEL AND SUCCESSFUL MEANS. Both South Africa and Australia have adopted a novel system of agricultural education, namely, the “Bet-ter-farming ’’Train. This train has been designed and fitted out by the Department of Agriculture, and is in the first place intended to demonstrate the valuable work done by this department. The better-farming train that steamed out of the Spencer Street station, Melbourne, a few days ago. was such an unqualified success that even the greatest sceptic must be convinced of its outstanding educational value. It is being looked upon as the most effective means of conveying to producers the result and lessons taught by the work which .the Department of Agriculture has been doing on its experimental farms and testing plots in various parts of the State,

In order to demonstrate the advantages of the improved methods jf crop production and animal husbandry, the train carries a large number of exhibits relating to- soiling, manuring, top-dressing, etc., as well as a fine display of purebred stock from the various Government farms. Tn addition to this a number of experts of the various departments accompany the train, giving lectures and demonstrations at the numerous wayside stations. At each of the places visited during the ten days’ tour, says an Australian exchange, remarkable enthusiasm was displayed by the farmers, many of whom travelled long distances over vile roads to learn all that the train and its company had to teach. AU of those men displayed a keen interest in the purebred stock aboard the train, in its instructive dairying and top-dressing exhibits, and in the remarks of the experts, who gave demonstrations. At Mirboo North several thousands visited the train and listened to the lectures on agriculture and stock-breeding problems.

Over 1000 people had assembled at Maffra when the train arrived at that progressive centre, end eager gatherings welcomed it at all other towns visited.

Now' that the great practical value of the train for educational purposes has been so emphatically demonstrted, concludes thie paper, every effort should be made to keep it running, to improve the scope of it® usefulness, and to maintain the deep interest now taken in it, until all parts of the State have been visited.

The next trip of the bain will probably be made to South Gippsland districts early in November. Afterwards portions of the (Western districts will be visited. It may be added that the experiment made by the South African Government in the same direction about nine months ago proved equally successful, and is being looked upon as a permanent periodical feature. Many complaints have been made of late years that the experimental work carried on at'the several New Zealand farms lost much of its value through lacking systematic dissemination of the results and experience obtained. This no doubt has been felt by agricultural departments of other countries, the “ better farming ” train evidently being the result. The periodical demonstrations given by some of our experimental farms, although greatly appreciated by the few enthusiasts who find it convenient or worth their while to attend, can by no means be considered an adequate return for the large sums of money spent. The knowledge and experience gained at these various farms can neither be doubled nor over-valued, arid every endeavour should be made to disseminate that knowledge to the fullest etxent, Without adequate means of distributing this knowledge the object of these fams is only partly achieved, and much of the money is spent ip vail. The department should, therefore, link in the present chain of rural and means of providing the missing look around for the necessary ways agricultural educaiton, and if a farm-ing-train can be adapted to local conditions it should not allow its novelty to stand in, the way of its adoption.