THE FARMERS’ SCHOOL.

Shannon News, 8 May 1923, Page 4

THE FARMERS’ SCHOOL.

A HAPPY FINALE. During the early stages of the Farm School it was evident that the students .were capable of dev cuing themselves to the serious study of tanning on scientific and economic imes, hut it was also fully demonstrated that these same students were qui.e capable of their share of play when the time arrived. Alter the conclusion of the final lecture on Friday a few hours’ pleasant relaxation* followed. The visitors were entertained at a concert by a coterie of Levin talent assisted by several of the visitors. The Mayor, Mr T. Hobson, acted as chairman, while the following contributed to the programme: Messrs Parsons, Lemmon, Mottershead, Logan, Denton, McKenzie, Matheson and Howard Andrew. Among the visitors who assisted were Messrs Stewart. Buck, Miller and Kilgour. Mr S. Parsons played the requisite accompaniments.

After the conclusion of the concert a pleasant hour was spent round die festive board, Mr W. Domigan, of Carterton, acting as chairman. Mr Domigan expressed sorrow that owing to ill-health Mr McCulloch, the farm manager, was unable to be present, but complimented Mr Bruce upon the organisation that had enabled them to become inoculated with the bacteria of knowledge so necessary to the present day farmer. Each lecturer seemed enthusiastic over his subject and if the students bad only been capable of taking in all their instructors had desired to teach them farming generally must assume an entirely different, aspect. At the same time these instructors had endeavoured to make their lectures as simple and understandable as. possible and, any man who had been there a week and learned nothing should be supplied with a new headpiece.

Mr G. E. Alton, of Tipua, Masterton, in proposing the toast of the Agricultural Department, congratulated them upon their thoughtfulness in giving farmers such an opportunity of acquiring .Hie best information available upon subjects of sticTi vital importance to the farming community today. Everev lecture and demonstration had been greatly appreciated. Not only that, but afterwards when the instructors could be bailed up against a fence they wtere only too pleased to explain any point that had not been made clear in the lecture room. There was a great deal of difference in the farming methods of to-day to what obtained in the past. This was largely due to the 1 fact that New Zealand had become art export, country .and to keep pace with other lands it. was decenary to put our best into the farming of our lands.

Mr Bruce, in reply, modestly rd- ’ »nrked: “T took no part in the teaching. The Department has done its best and as an onlooker I must, sav th a I best has been a good one. We ail regret the absence of the Farm Manbut the fact is Mr McCulloch has been working f OO hard. You have all heard of ‘the Government stroke.’ Perhaps it, is not always what you imagined if. Take vour own case for an example: 8 a.m. till a late hour every evening is not bad going. Mr A. H. Cockayne together with Mr Brown has been responsible for-the organising work. I just, sal and looked wise, bul. at ilie seme time I now come to realise that 1 must give in io science. The 'scientific farmer now applies "•hat T had in mv time to do without and in the future you have to look to the scientific label to pull voh through.

} Mr Cockayne said there werte two I tilings he was bad at and that was shaving in the morning and replying to farmers’ toasts. (Laughter). These farmers’ schools had been started four years ago at TUiakura as an experiment. hut that stage was now successj fnllv oast. Last year was the first iime they had tried Weraroa, but the I movement was now spreading and at ! the conclusion of this School similar ones were to he held, this year at Stratford, West Coast, Dunedin and Runkuia. The Department had been practically forced into (holding these by the desire of Ihe farmers. This was surely evidence that the farmers realised iheir value when thley asked for an extension of the system. Many students had asked if it would not be possible to have the lectures printed in pamphlet form and distributed among those who had attended. Mr Cockavne said this would entail a good deal of work bid be realised its value and wo-

uld do liis best to have the request carried into effect. The Agricultural Department thoroughly realised the importance of instruction to farmers and youhg farmers especially, but one could judge the difficulties they were working under when it was known that New Zealand possessed the smallest instructional staff of anv agricultural country in the world. It would he impossible to hold classes without the strong support and co-op-eration of the staff of the Farm (hear, hear), and most of the success of the present school was due to the work of the permanent staff on the Farm, work they had to take up at practically a moment’s notice.

Mr Brown said the Department was really very modest, but at the same time therte was ample evidence at the various A. and P. Shows and in the high, standard of ou!r sports to prove the good work that was being done. “Take the value of our exports."cut out the animal products and the rest was simply a cjrop in the bucket. When we can send away our products graded to compete with the best on the markets of the world it speaks volumes for the efficiency of thei Department. With the fertility of our soil and a sound system of education this countrv has a good future before it.”

In proposing the toast of the Levin Committee and the entertainers. Mr W. .1. Ross, of Foxton, referred to the students as a class of school, children who had been turned loose that evening to play. They all appreciated the splendid concert with which they had been provided. Messrs Hobson, Matheson and Harkness replied. Mr T. Poupard, of Foxton, paid a

very glowing tribute 1o the manner in which the caterer had carried out his worlc, also to the courtesy shown by the staff who seemed to spare no effort for the comfort of those who had spent 11 ie week at the School. Mr ,1. Boyce, of Glen Oroua, could not let the occasion go past without, acknowledging the courtesy received from the lecturers and from the staff, while Mr T. Anderson, ofi Carterton, expressed his appreciation of the Levin district. The singing of the National Anthem and “Auld Dang Syne’’ brought a very happy function to a close about 11 p.m.