STATE FARMS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume CXVII, Issue 17280, 22 September 1916, Page 5

STATE FARMS.

PROPOSALS -BY BOARD OF

AGRICULTURE

MINISTER AGAINST LAND

SELLING.

FARM POLICY IN PREPARATION.

[From Our Correspondent.] WELLINGTON, September 21

Tho Board of Agriculture recently submitted to the Minister of Agriculture a comprehensive 'report' on tho Stato Experimental Farms, during the courso of which it was' recommended that some parts of tho North Island farms should he sold, and the money devoted to the purchase of areas for experimental farms in the South Island, which is deficient in these valuablo *aids to scientific farming. The Hon W. D. $. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, has since visited tho farms, and he differs from the Board of Agriculture iu regard to the saie of. any part of the Stato property. Provision win be made for South island needs, hut not by sacrmcing tno North island farms. * u I have given every consideration to the recommendations of tho Board of Agriculture in regard to the sale of parts of the farms,” remarked the Minister in reply to questions from a representative of the “Lyttelton, Times,” and I have personally looked into the matter at tile farms, but I do not see my way to give'effect •to that part of the report. The different State farms aro carrying tin extremely valuable' experimental work. At Ruakura, they have been very successful in breeding the t Australian Shorthorn strain of milkers, and readily sell all the* young bulls at high prices. In addition to the cattle, 1 they Jiavo gone in. for breeding stud rams and Southdowns, which are purchased by the farmers. The pig breeding is so successful that there are hundreds or orders unfulfilled. I. am strongly of opinion that" in connection with experimental work in fodder it is necessary to have a.fair amount of stock to oat down certain paddocks, and find out the feeding value. This is being done in a very careful manner at ltuakura farm. They have the ordinary flock , sheep, and fatten cattle, and there is no question that this is a very paying proposition for tho State. Wo have r at Ruakura ten learners, who are anxious to get a knowledge, not only of general agricultural work, hut of the care of cattle, sheep and horses. Therefore it is absolutely necessary to hrfve a farm of reasonable area if we are going to give these young men the proper experience. The manager at Ruakura is very well pleased with the work the boys- are doing, and if the Government will provide the resources ho is keen to double the number of learners on the, farm.

SCIENTIFIC WORK AT WERAROA. “The other. North Island farms are working on tho same lines. I inspected the Moumahaki farm very carefully, and could not see my way to interfere -with the area under cultivation. At the Weraroa farm, the head of f-he Division is‘ plotting out places for a good many experiments, and. 1 hope in a few weeks to be able to givo a detailed report on what is tho intention of the Department. We propose to station some of onr scientific men at tjio farm, so as to be able to give proper demonstrations' with the soil in connection with certain experi.ments. I think that anybody who is sceptical about tho advantage and benefit to the Dominion of these farms would only re,quire to go to these places for a- few days to find out the great interest the farming community is taking in their work. The managor and experts are being constantly called up on the telephone, and written to. in regard 'to manures, soils, breeding strains of cattle, sheep and horses.” PLANS FOR THE SOUTH.

The Minister indicated his intention to make 'a completo statement of the Government’s experimental farm policy in the course of the next two months, after tho investigations are. complete. Meantime, his experts are looking into the position of the South Island requirements with a view to selecting a site for an experimental farm, probably in Southland. It is also intended to start one on the West Coast this year “ Notwithstanding the fact that owing to the war we are short-handed in tho horticultural and fields division,” concluded tho Minister, “there has been great activity in experimental work. I must compliment my officers •upon their keenness and energy in many classes of sciontific work and investigation. I have received many complimentary letters from farmers in both islands in connection with the State farm exhibits at tho shows, and 1 have' heard very few uncomplimentary, remarks about the Agricultui ai Department’s staff as a whole.”