AID OF SCIENCE.

Taranaki Daily News, 7 February 1920, Page 5

AID OF SCIENCE.

WHAT THE FARMER NEEDS. }«|

Palmerston North, Feb. 4, A number of judges at the Feilding Show, together with the Hon. D.' H. Guthrie (Minister of Lands), paid a visit at the invitation of Mr. K. Short to the arorangi Kstate, and took the opportunity of inspecting the Romney and Hereford studs. They were afterwards hospitably entertained at the homestead. In responding to the toast of his health, Mr. Short said that, seeing that they had the Minister present, he would like to make a suggestion. It was that the- Department of Agriculture should get the best scientist available to test soils and .teach farmers how best to treat for results. He had had visitors from America and other parts of the world inspecting the stock, and he was sometimes told to put plenty of bone into his stock. Breeders were told, to gne plenty of bone and constitution to stud stock. How were they to do it? fn his paddocks he had lots of small sandstone pebbles. How was he to treat land to get the best out of it? They in New Zealand had the best country in thfc world, but wanted to know how to make the best use of it. The Department of Agriculture should engage the best, scientist in the world for the workIt would not matter if it cost £SOOO a year. It would pay the country. The farmers themselves would pav for n n*an, if necessary, if lie were procured. They were struggling away with their manures trying to find out what was best. There was Mr. Perry, who had fiecn liininr his land and getting good results, but t.he Government ought to do the experimenting. It was time tlie Board of Agriculture did something. Mr. Perrv said he was glad that Mr. .Short had mentioned the matter. He had been experimenting on his farm with good results, and farming was now a pleasure to him. Hoarding the Board of Agriculture, he had been a member, and hj" had to say that there had been difficulties in the way of the Board doing what Mr. Short'suggested. They had had the war and other things in the way. but now the Board might liave the opportunity of acting as Mr. Short suggested was necessary. Thev needed so to fertilise their lands as to make the produce treble crops. If thev did that, there need be no worry about meeting (he interest bill on the country's huge debt. The Hon- Mr. fiitthrie said that he had. made a note of the suggestion, and wouM oonrjy jfc to t?10