RUAKURA STATE FARM.

King Country Chronicle, Volume V, Issue 368, 10 June 1911, Page 5

RUAKURA STATE FARM.

UNINTERESTED FARMERS

On Wednesday last, the officials of the Waikato Winter Show took visitors for a drive to the Ruakura State Farm. Among those present were a number of ladies, and Mr Jennings, M.P.

After a drive of inspection had been made, the party returned to the homestead, where they were entertained. Colonel Bell, in proposing the health of the Agricultural Department, made reference to the fine work being done by State farms. Ruakura was well known to people of the Waikato, and those that had witnessed the splendid work done knew what the transformation had been. There was one thing, however, continued the speaker, and that was farmers did not lake sufficient interest in the experimental work going on at the farm. Farmers should make an endeavour to utilise the knowledge ascertained by such institutions. It was in their own interests, for after all the farm really belonged to them -the people. Mr W. T. Jenning3, M.P., in reply referred to the unfortunate absence of Mr H. Greenslade, M.P. The work being done on these farms under the control of the Hon. T. Mackenzie was good and was for the benefit of all. He was surprised to learn that farmers in the district did not take more keen interest in the experimental farm. It was the other way about in Taranaki. Farmers were continually visiting Moumahaki, with the result that they were gaining experience on good solid lines. Only a short time ago, he was aware of about twenty Taranaki farmers having visited the farm.

Mr Clinton, Director of State Experimental Farms, said that the Department was only too glad to welcome farmers to witness their experiments. There was nothing that would please him better than to see farmers seeking for knowledge, especially those engaged in the work of breaking-in new country. Perhaps the reason for so little interest being taken in the work was that farmers at present were too prosperous. There were some people who thought that there was too much money being spent on this farm. It might be costly work experimenting, but in the case of Ruakura it had justified itself. People had only to think for a minute and remember what the farm cost the Department in the first instance, and then think of the presnt-day value. He hoped to have a dozen trainees on the farm within a few months time. It was only a matter of a little time, and Kuakura would be an argicultural college. It was working that way, and must eventually come.