FARM AND DAIRY.

Taranaki Daily News, 27 January 1917, Page 3

FARM AND DAIRY.

A CHAXCE FOR OUR TECHNICAL COLLEGE, KUDZO, THE GREAT FODDER. "Tahi Ilereni' 1 writes:—A letter published in the Xcws of Wednesday, 17th inst., under the above heading, contained statements that should be of interest to everyone living oil tne land in Taranaki. The writer, B. Harrison, FK.H.S., claims for Kudzo qualities that show it to be equal if not superior to that kind of fodder plants, lucerne, and states that it is a native of Japan and is highly commended by American authorities. But tilie letter is a short' one, and much more information would be desirable before a private individual would feel justified in going into any extensive experiment in the cultivation of the plant. It must be well known to most people that Japanese .plants as a rule do remarkably well in Taranaki, so it should be worth a trial. A trial to bo of real value to the community ought to be made as thoroughly as possible, and, if feasible, by some officially recognised authority and with the very utmost possible publicity, and, in the writer's opinion, here is an opportunity for the agricultural branch of the Taranaki Technical College to add another to the already recognised proofs of its usefulness.

Mr. H. G. Sergei lias already done good work with liis class and amongst the farmers. Experiments eould not be in better hands than his and correspondence with the author of the letter referred to bearing the oflWiftl stamp of a .public institution like the Technical College 'would carry more weight than from a private source. If such a course were followed it would give tho public a striking illustration of tHie practical value of the College, would catch the attention of farmers and others more than ever, and tend to increase the support the College at present receives.