MOUMAHAKI FARM.

Stratford Evening Post, Volume XXXI, Issue 34, 7 September 1916, Page 3

MOUMAHAKI FARM.

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE PRO-

POSAL3.

Afc the request of the Prime Minister the Board of Agriculture, which is presided over by Sir J. C. Wilson has visited the various Government experimental farms in the Dommma and submitted a report in conm-i t on therewith. In the portion headed ‘ Heeommendations regarding Future Operations'” it deals with the Moumahaki pann in what (the Patea Press says) may be termed a retrograde manner when it suggests that more than hall the farm be disposed of. It i M not very long since the larmevs in the district who may be relied upon to know the value of the farm to tre country, were asking that - cither land adjoining the farm be acquired and the whole turned into an Agricultural College for the training of’students who were anxious to acquire a sound knowledge of up-to-date farming. The recommendations are as 101lows: — MOUM AHAKI (585 acres.) The area of this farm, is greater than is required lor experimental purposes. The homestead and22l)b 1 ) acres should be retained for Unit purpose, and the balance sold. Hero again the stud stock should he sold. The purebred Ayrshire cattle ot good class, however, might he transferred to aiiy farm which might, he established i»» il neighbourhood where this jj, v ..d is more suitable. An ordinary dairy herd should he retained. The Leicester sheep should be sold. *he sheep of the Byeland breed should he concentrated either at this farm or at Jluakura, and retained for some time lo ascertain whether they are suitable 1,,, producing fat lambs or as wool growers. The pigs are of good quality and should he retained. As the land seems to ho suitable for poi.’.toes, experiments with these tubers should lie continued. The grass seleetiim work should lie extended. There is ;; ,i immense held in this direction for an investigation; as our nm-hie Lion is practically dependent on the growth of grass, any improvement upon the existing varieties or any new grasses being made available or known must lie of great consequence t () . New Zealand. The lucerne experiments slum I 1 certainly he con tinned. It should he- ol great advantage if some demonstration plots could be grown in various localities on the west coast.