FARMERS OF FUTURE

Shannon News, 13 April 1928, Page 2

FARMERS OF FUTURE

SCIENCE IN AGRICULTURE

NECESSITY FOR EDUCATION

The need of high educational qualifications in those who contemplate engaging in farming was emphasised to students of the Auckland Training College by Mr. T. H. Patterson, senior instructor of the Fields Divisiori of the Department of Agriculture in Auckland.

The farmer of the future, he said, should have a liberal education, to include agricultural science, if he was to be thoroughly equipped for his work. A good business training, a knowledge of world affairs and a clear insight into market conditions were needed no less than skill in farm operations and physical fitness. "Agriculture is the oldest art, but practically the newest science,” he said. "As an art it must be learnt by practice; as a science it must be studied like other sciences.”

The prejudice against agriculture which existed in the high schools, and to a lesser degree th secondary schools, could probably be traced back to the ancient idea that culture and industry were mutually exclusive. Considering the extent to which the pursuit of culture was dependent on «fchose engaged in the agricultural industry of the country it was only right and proper that the farming community should receive full benefit from the schools and universities, which were only made possible by the efforts of the farmers. . “A great responsibility rests with teachers and those in high places who have control of the young idea,” said Mr. Patterson. "An equal responsibility rests upon the people of Domin ion, whose duty it is to support them in their efforts to stem the tide of population toward the towns and cities and divert it to the country. Agriculture provides a suitable field for the higher intelligence of cultivated minds. An increasingly educated rural community will prove to be the sheet-an-chor of national strength and of the future prosperity of New Zealand.”