EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 23 April 1913, Page 2

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

The kttcivii'oni.a district farmer on the question of "farm training yfor' ; boys, which ■ w^,piiblished '-in our last issue, directed attention to a matter of paramount importance in a* country where agrioidtural interests so largely preponderate. It is now widely recognised that the farming' industiy is the'basis of the country's prosperity, and; "that being the case it is "quite"" obviously a JriationaDdhiy to foster agricul--taral-affairs, With reference to the many attempts made to provide the facilities for tramming'in the various branches of faj;]n ; work, /there lias of necessity been nluch in the way of experiment to "enable;the author- ;; ifies-to; find'.but' the 'best system .. t^'. /:2PjQi^si°Jis no I surprise to find that the; results I ha ye notr always been icrowncd j with success, ihe State farms, ! hewever, have proved useful in ; demonstrating to farmers, "how ; things should be done" ; ''and it must be conceded that these . institutions, although- expensive have exercised an educative influence and justified tlicir introduction. It is now proposed to follow up they useful, work recorded by State farms by the appointmenc of.. ,a lioard. of Agriculture (a suggestion by the Premier, the Hon. "W. P. Massey). The idea will doubtless be warmly welcomed amoiiq those responsible fi-r advancing primary interests, for much couid Ijh done by such a body in the interests of farmers generally. Another proposal is to ! establish advisory committees of local men in each district, who would'be iua position to supply . information us to local conditions ,and..; the!, demonstrations desirable, and thus add greatly ,to the vaineol the-.expeviments.,, .If the: 'idcils "outlined'are given" effect there can-Joe no doubt as;-. to the ; gaiii to ; farming.•couimunity and to the Dbiliinioh, for the benefits 'that ; "wbiild"Tpil6wi.7ai^"~too tobvidus : for elaborations : : \ '-:' -■'■

Our""coiTesp6'MeDt p'diht'ed out that the for Agricnltuie,' in:4ast vyear's: report,1 recommends the establishment of a number of training farms, where the sons'of farmers '-could attend for special instruction on

different branches of farm work and on lines particularly adapted to their .requirements. y^Tlje scheme, briefly,ds the estajblislif ing of about twenty^enioEstnatKttv farms throughout the Dominion,^which should each specialise bn one M theyfoHoW^" ingjhrec kinds olrarrnihg;:j(l) > J^ismgiileisjt^ (3) growing.;" plants.: .'.'^cereals, ;fod.ders; fruits, •etcV^:The report:; deal's ""extensively"" with the"re-" qinrements ofvftheihdustf j'~4nd>. J.S._fulL ..of .....pregnant ....suggestion.. fox development and progress. There is ninch;that the Hohi l; Minister .fprJ Agriculture be well aavised 'to adopt from thel.Secretary's proposals-, >#s: w& 'iconsider ithey latter has,: :go,q4; grounds for stating " that' this scheme if fairly put into operation will give a mighty impulse to the development of the |-Dominion.''' ./Theycapital cost lof the scheme, however, nearly half-a-million, is yrather a serious item, and; will doubtless prove an impediment, to its adoption by tlie- responsible authorities, although? there' seems every reason to ;. believe that the scheme would veventually prove a payable one in addition to being of immense value in disseminating a know- ' ledge of agriculture.