DEMONSTRATION FARM.

Taranaki Daily News, 12 November 1921, Page 7

DEMONSTRATION FARM.

FOR NORTH TARANAKI. FARMERS FAVOR PROPOSAL. INITIAL STEPS TAKEN. There was a very representative gathering of farmers at New Plymouth yesterday, when the proposal to establish a demonstration farm in North Taranaki was discussed. Those present recognised the importance of such an institution to the district, and a resolution was passed affirming the desirability of establishing such a farm in the district, a strong committee being set up to go into the matter pf finance, etc., and investigate as to suitable site*. The meeting was convened by Mr. W. B. Grant, -president of the Taranaki Agricultural Society, on behalf of the society, and. among those present were Mr. J. W. Deem (fields supervisor to the Agricultural Department.) and Mr. Glasson (of the Agricultural Department). Mr. W. B. Grant, who presided, first expressed gratification at the large and representative attendance. He considered it was desirable in the interests of the district that a State experimental and demonstration farm should be established. Some few weeks ago he had met Mr. Deem, who had willingly promised to give them all the information and advice he possibly could. The speaker added that Messrs. Deem and Glasson were connected with several such demonstration plots, each of which was practically paying its way. In prosperous times every one was a good farmer, but in adverse times they found that things did not turn out as they expected. This was the time when farmers wanted advice. Every member of the Board of Agriculture was of opinion that, these farms were of more , benefit that State farms, as farmers could visit them, see what was done, talk the matter over among themselves, and 1 criticise and obtain advice. A district so closely settled, and where there was so much intense cultivation, should certainly be able to support such a farm. As far as finance was concerned he admitted the time was not opportune, but it was now the farmers wanted advice. VALUE OF SMALL FARMS. Mr. J. W. Deem made it clear that he was not present to advocate starting a demonstration farm in the district. The policy of the department was only to establish one where the people in the district expressed a strong desire to have one. and showed this by their efforts. Then there was no doubt th* department would assist them. There was no doubt in his mind that the policy of having a small denjpnstration farm in any district was much better than having four large experimental farms throughout the Dominion. The former scheme dealt with the same climatic, soil and general conditions, and moreover they had the greater advantage that farmers were able to get together and discuss farming problems. This latter was an excellent idea, as the good firmer was able to disseminate his knowledge among the learners. He detailed what had been done in Stratford and Manaia. At Stratford they had taken up 143 acres of Maori lease, of which they had later acquired the freehold. The whole money for the land, stock and capital expenditure was found by a bank overdraft of £7BOO, guaranteed by gentlemen in the district. They had a properly incorporated Strat ford Model Dairy Farm Society with members paying 5/- per year, though they did not look to this for revenue. The committee consisted of seven—viz., three elected by the guarantors, three by the members, and one appointed by the Government as chairman. The Government was giving them a subsidy of £3OO per annum, and finding all seeds and manures for seven years. At the end of seven years it was hoped it would be self-supporting, but if it were doing good work no doubt a portion of the subsidy would be continued by the department. At Manaia the Government had leased 90 acres of reserve to the Wai mate County Council for 21 years with the right of renewal for another 21 years, with full compensation for improvements. There were no buildings on the property. The Government also granted them a subsidy of £2OO per an num for three years. The committee consisted of the members of the counci’ with two additional elected by the council, and one appointed by the Government. These gentlemen had guaranteed an overdraft >of £3200 at the bank. He pointed out that Stratford was worked with two men and a boy, wages amounting to £540 per annum, whilst Manaia was worked with two men at a cost of £468 per annum. At Stratford 50 cows produced 12.668 lbs of fat last year, whilst at Manaia 46 produced 12,500 lbs. On both farms a lot of fencing and buildings, costing about £•2000, had to be erected. Showing the advantage, he pointed out that the Stratford farm produced 6300 lbs of fat the first year, as against 12.668 lbs the fourth year.

LESSONS TO FARMERS.

Replying to questions, Mr. Deem said that the first year the cows averaged 197 lbs, the second 210. and the fourth 259 lbs. They were just reaching the stage when they were deriving the benefit from the improvement of their pastures, and of course the improvement of their herd, as they were members of the association. Their main idea was to show the value of improving th-e pastures, etc. The herd, was just an ordinary one; they had not gone n for any particular breed of cattle. He deprecated going in for purebred cattle on such a farm, owing to the difficulty of having them properly looked after. They had shown that by improving the pastures and cultivation they had been enabled to carry more stock—at least 30 per cent—and had more than doubled the butter-fat production. For this district he would advocate a demonstration farm cf, say, 50 or 60 acres, which one man could work, although possibly about 100 acres could be got more conveniently. The farm should be central and easily accessible, as it was important that a demonstration plot should be where people could see it and so be induced to visit it. They had experimented with fodders up to a certain point, but their funds were limited. Mt. E. Jackson pointed out that in securing the Stratford farm first consideration was given to having the site as convenient as possible to the High School, so that pupils could use it. Replying to Mr. Sampson, Mr. Deem said there was no doubt at all that the farms in the districts around these demonstration farms were improving, farmers following the lines of cultivation, particularly in regard to the succession of crops. Replying to another question, Mr. Deem said that last year the Strafford

farm had shown a profit of £3O or £4O, but he pointed out that they had a lot of expenses on demonstration farms that they did not have on ordinary farms. PROPOSAL SUPPORTED. Mr. J. S. Connett said that there were no two opinions but that the establishment of a demonstration farm in this district would be a great advantage. He knew that farmers in the other districts took a great interest in their demonstration. farms. The first difficulty would be finance. He moved: “That in the opinion of this meeting it is desirable that ft demonstration farm be established in the district, and that a committee be set up to select a site and get further information regarding finance.” Mr. J}. Todd seconded. Mr. P, J. H. White said that he rose with diffidence to address a mebting of farmers. From his position as chairman of the Education Board he knew, by coming in contact with farmers in various parts of Taranaki, the general opinion held in regard to these demonstration plots. There were no two opinions regarding the matter. The need for such a farm had long been felt in North Taranaki, and he could assure them that they would get considerable support from townspeople. The resolution was carried, and the ! following committee was set up: Messrs. W. B. GraJit, J. S. Connett, E. Jackson, J. A. Kurth, L. De Launay, O. Penwarden and W. C. Weston. A hearty vote of thanks was accorded Mr. Deem. At a subsequent meeting of the committee Mr. W. B. Grant was elected chairman .and Mr. W. P. Okey secretary pro tem. It was decided to invite applications through the Press for suitable farms, from 50 to 100 acres, applications to close with the secretary of the Taranaki A. and P. Society on Thursday, November 24, 1921. It was also decided that Messrs. Grant and W. C. Weston wait iipof the Public Trustee to see if he has any likely properties available.