The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1914. TEACHING AGRICULTURE.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXVIII, Issue 18, 21 January 1914, Page 4

The Stratford Evening Post WITH WHICH IS INCORPORATED THE EGMONT SETTLER WEDNESDAY, JANUARY 21, 1914. TEACHING AGRICULTURE.

The need of promoting the teaching of agriculture was urged, by Sir Hubert Stout iii his address as Chancellor at the opening of the annual session of the University' Senate. He pointed out that much is already being' done in this matter in the various branches of our education system, but if we are going to keep pace with other countries there will have to be a great extension of this phase of education. The Dominion, supporting this view, says; Agriculture is the principal industry of New Zealand, uul if our rate of progress is to be increased, or even maintained, onr farmers must have all the assistance that the most up-to-date science can give them in making the best use of i heir land. r l he obsolete methods of a bygone generation must he abandoned, for New Zealand lias to compete in the world’s markets with conn-

tries ivhich are making use of the most I ■lodern methods and appliance. Our (aim must be to set up a, complete system of scientific education in agriculture which will enable, a young man j ,vho intends to make his living on | he land to be thoroughly equipped [for his work. This is being done in j ,ther countries, such as Canada, and the results which are being attained show that no form of public expenditure is more profitable than that devoted to agricultural instruction. Sir Robert Stout has done well to call attention to this matter, and Ids hope that at no distant date there will be 8 -hairs of agriculture in all the 1 nij versify Colleges will receive general ; 'ndorseinenf. This, combined with igricultural scholarships and other act hods of litting our voting peopie or life on the land, will help them ,) realise that in future there will be"as great a career possible in agri- \ 'l'lturo as in any of tic professions. ,'he whole standard of country life , v j|i thus ho raiso.l : and the npplica•j„„ „f t'n,. host scientific methods ol fanning will tend to make it more ':,[tractive to the most active and encvprising minds, by showing them ■; i; ,f agriculture can provide profit,i,|,, occupation lor brains as well as 'muds. A step in advance has already ieen made by the decision to set up , I'.oard of Agriculture, and the Prime .Minister lias more than once ■ xiM'essed his intention of increasing flu", facilities for agricultural education in New Zealand.