STATE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LIII, Issue 264, 17 March 1911, Page 5

STATE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

CRITICISED IN AUCKLAND. A GOOD WORD FOR MOUMAHAKL. By Telegraph.—Press Association. Auckland, Last Night. The Government experimental farms as a whole were criticised in somewhat severe terms at the meeting of the Auckland executive of the Fanners' Union to-day. Members considered that in many eases they were of no practical use to the farmers, and were carried out in a manner that could never have good results. Major Lusk admitted that ho was afraid a good deal of what had just been said was true, and he mentioned a case where they couldn't tell the difference between rye-grass seed and cocksfoot. This started members retailing experiences, and one stated that he once visited a. farm and saw a calf being led round on a silver chain. He inquired, and found out that the calf was being experimented on as a maize-fed animal. It was then weighed, and the man declared that the calf had gained 2 cwt. in a week. A good word for the farms was put in by Mr. .T. Boddie, who, after five or six visits to Mouninhaki, believed that good work was being done. Mr. J. E. Makgill moved, "That the union ascertain the opinion of other provincial executives as to whether a commission of recognised practical fanners, to enquire into the management and practical benefit derived from the Government experimental farms, should not be set up. i The motion was seconded by Capt. Colbeck, and carried.