DISTRICT NEWS.

Taranaki Daily News, 31 July 1918, Page 3

DISTRICT NEWS.

AGRICULTURAL INSTRUCTION. Writes onr Durfiam Road correspondent.:—At Durham Roa/1 recently, Mr. R. Browne, agricultural expert, delivered an interesting address relative to top<iro3<tin<j, various manures for different plants, the value of lime as assistant to •ither manures, and, last, but not least, the benefits that would accrue to the district and individuals by the keeping oi records of milk production and particular of causes for lessening and methods for increasing same. This portion of the addres s was specially interesting, and the diagrams prepared by children at various schools showing tho rise of the milk yield and tests and how weather affected same and the benefits received by the judicious feeding of green fodder crops, showed how a mass of valuable information can be put in a concise fonn. There can be no gainsaying the fact that such work can lie enormously improved upon, and ue of extreme value. Our country children should bo encouraged by all means possible to persevere it it. The Department should see to it that diagrams such as were exhibited and explained are printed and distributed amongst farmers (exhibits per medium of annual s hows are not conducive to close I study), and also that a system of reward should be initiated both by the Department and the various agricultural societies in order that the utmost keenness be devoted by the growing routn in the keeping of such valuable data. For many rc-asons. whieh need not be elaborated here, a close study of weather conditions as cffcsling farming should be encouraged, and the diagram system mentioned, winch, I understand, wa.s originated by Mr. Browne, seems to fill the bill in every way. I trust something solid will be done towards furthering the work mentioned, and hope that I have said enough to arouse prompt action.