WEALTH FROM FARMS.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 August 1922, Page 8

WEALTH FROM FARMS.

IMPORTANCE OF EFFICIENCY. ENCOURAGING YOUNG MEN. ADDRESS BY DR. REAKES. Before a representative gathering of about 60 farmers, Dr. Reakes (Director of Agriculture) gave an instructive address on ‘ Agricultural Instruction" in the Soldiers’ Club, New Plymouth, last night. In introducing the speaker, Mr. W. B. Grant (who presided) stressed the need for more expert advice to farmers along modern lines. He also advocated a closer relationship between the boys’ and girls’ clubs and their future dealings with the department. Dr. Reakes said his subject was a big one and highly important to a country like New Zealand, which depended almost entirely upon agricultural and pastoral industries. Much more was being done than most people realised by the Government covering the whole range of these important industries. At the same time there’ 1 was a great deal yet to be accomplished, and much depended in keeping and encouraging young men on the land, rather than letting them drift into towns. In order to give inducement, it was necessary to make country life more attractive by getting young men interested in the healthy outdoor life of the farmer. A large rural population was necessary to establish financial stability and to develop the country to produce material from which wealth is obtained. Many were first-class farmers and many were not, but with the help of’departmental instruction, those who were not first-class farmers gain a more thorough knowledge of practical farming. Dr. Reakes said he was glad to have had the opportunity of presenting prizes to the winners in the boys’ and girls’ club competitions. A gratifying feature was the keenness shown and the satisfactory results obtained. If only the farmers, parents of these children, could attain to i the same standard a worthy result would • indeed be achieved. /As the chairman had i indicated, there was a missing link between ’j these clubs and farmers on the land. It ! was not such a simple matter to give inj struction to all young fellows leaving school. Often a youth was compelled to earn his own living, but the department had the problem in hand. One method of meeting it was through farm schools, but these 'cost money and just at present the State was too hard up. Practical illustration by the aid of competent agricultural instructors covering all such industries was needed. The dominant side of the industry in Taranak; was dairying, which, despite difficulties, had steadily advanced, but room was still open for more development. I VALUE OF HERD-TESTING. / ■ There were two ways to impart instrucI tion, continued the lecturer. One was by ! a deep scientific knowledge and the other i was by sound practical information; but a ; better way was to combine both, and to base the practical knowledge upon a scientific ‘basis and adapt it to everyday, conditions, ! depending upon different classes of soils, ijtlere an instructor had great scope in do--1 ing good work. For instance, the milk [ yield of cows was far lower than it ought to be. The industry had developed, but it was impossible to produce an animal in one year.

Herd-testing of ordinary milking herds was a valuable form of instructon. This year, in Taranaki, 13,725 cows had been tested, against 9727 last season. Of these 9500 had been done by Government testing officers and the balance by co-opera-tive dairy companies. The average of 262 lb of fat had been attained, which, it was pointed out, was much higher than had hitherto been believed possible. Last year the Government had tested 6634 cows, returning an average of 229 lb of fat. The season had been an exceptional one for dairy produce, so perhaps the large increase in butter-fat per cow was to be regarded as exceptional also. However, the whole average for the Dominion was a high one. namely, 240 lb of fat per tested cow. A reasonable charge of 2s per cow was all testing associations ins posed, and the speaker hoped for a great increase in this department as time went on. This would be of much benefit, but what of the discovered cows giving poor returns? He was afraid many simply went to sales. Another point stressed by Dr. Reakes was the good work yet to be done in the matter of providing sufficient feed. To get a regular return, a cow must be fed consistently, not gorged at one period and starved at another. A great advance had been made in this respect, and Mr. Deepi and his colleagues would be always willing to give advice and assistance. All departmental facilities were at the disposal of farmers. Touching upon the health of live stock, the speaker mentioned that prevention was always better than cure, but to go into details would require a much longer space of time than he had allowed himself. Much good work in this respect was being done by lectures given by veterinary gentlemen and officers of the district. A great change had come over Government inspection, went on Dr. Reakes. Once the officers confined their activities to inspection alone, but. by a process of evolution they were now looked upon as advisers as well, and he sincerely hoped that this important branch would continue to develop along those lines, because by educating farmers the work of inspection had been materially reduced, thus giving the officers more time to devote to other duties.

PROBLEM OF WEEDS. This applied also to noxious weeds. In many instances farmers took too little notice of their weeds, particularly Californian thistle, which was very prevalent in some parts of this district. One weed which always required attention and inspection was the persistent blackberry, and it had been found a difficult problem to deal with, more especially on rough and unploughable land. Taranaki had derived much of instructional value in the institution of field competitions. This was a matter that should extend extensively, and should go a long way to bring about a better understanding between farmers. Another important item emphasised was that ail should strive, and be directed to strive, to bring about better farming methods, thereby placing the community on a stronger financial footing. This could easily be done by thoughtful application and careful thinking over soil and climatic conditions. A farmer who thought soundly was a man who always got on. It meant hard work, but there was great scope for further development and great opportunities for those in a position to give advice or instruction. In conclusion, Dr. Reakes expressed the hope that he would live long enough to see New Zealand rise to a plane of the highest development. Following the lecture, an interesting discussion took place. Mr. O. Johnson asked if the department had given any attention to bridging the gap between a boy leaving school and his ultiSSEUt wtw ft« * farowr. Dr. Reakes re-

plied that much had been done, but the whole matter required to be organised upon a larger scale. The chief obstacle was, of course, finance; but, indirectly, technical schools, in co-operation with the department, were doing a lot. Mr. Sampson did not quite agree with a remark concerning production. He contended that the cow which gave the,, greatest economical return, and not the most butter-fat, was the most useful animal. Returns per acre, and not returns per cow, should be the slogan of the farmer. Mr. N. Fulton was glad Dr. Reakes had touched upon testing and feeding, fdr undoubtedly there was a sad want of competent instructors. There seemed to be a dearth of organisation. Dairy companies should combine to keep at least one man between three or four factory areas, and he was certain that in the long run it would handsomely repay. He wanted Dr.: Reakes to know that there were competent men wio could take up testing in this district at present out of employment. Dr. Reakes replied that to a great extent this matter rested' with the. farmers concerned and hardly came under Government supervision, but it was very satisfactory to know that there was a demand among the farmers to get testing done. Mr. Burke asked for information regarding the gradual running out of pasture on good land, and was informed that the cheapest and most convenient method was to apply suitable manures. Farmers often threw money away on unsuitable fertilisers, and this was another means in which instruction would be of benefit. A further suggestion from Mr. Burke was to the effect that a list of good, practical farmers might materially assist prospective land purchasers, in that by working for them a boy or young man could gain an excellent grounding in the essentials of agriculture. Asked for information about the grass grub, Dr. Reakes called upon Mr. Deem, who gave a short but instructive address upon the habits and life of the grub, which he regretted could not be economically eradicated. In answer to a question, Dr. Reakes gave some interesting particulars regarding the supply of phosphates from Nauru Island, which, he said, had been an important factor in regulating prices. Practically all New Zealand phosphates and basic super had Nauru phosphates for their basis, but when used alone it was advisable to, add about 30 per cent, of super to ensure quick growth. The price had dropped to £2 12s 3d per ton. Mr. Godupp inquired the best time to manure. Mr. Deem replied that the time, if using Nauru phosphates alone, would be early in winter; but if a quick-acting manure was used, it should not be applied till later. It was much better to manure a little each year than to apply a large quantity periodically. If lime were to be used it was advisable to obtain the carbonate and put in on thre or four months before the dressing with super. Dr. Reakes said the department was at present experimenting with dry rot and club-root, but so far no definite conclusion had been arrived dt. *

Mr. Hunter asked for information regarding mammitis in dairy cows. In reply, Dr. Reakes divided the disease into two classes—contagious and non-contagious, due to inflammation of the udder. These conditions often arise through using too high a pressure on milking machines. As it was difficult to determine when the dispase was contagious, it was advisable to- regard all cases as a possible source of infection. Tn this matter the department was also experimenting, and published leaflets are in circulation.