CORRESPONDENCE.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9601, 22 September 1909, Page 5

CORRESPONDENCE.

To the Editor. Sir,—l have read with interest your correspondent's letter in this j morning's issue, who under the nom- j de plume of "Suggestion" makes 3ome very practical hints in refer• ence to the offer recently made by Mr Buchanan of some £6,000 towards the establishment of an experimental farm in the Wairarapa. In the assertion that the present experimental farms are a failure, and of very little practical value to the farmlag community I must, to a certain extent, disagree with your correspondent. In the first place experimental farms were never expected to be a success from a financial standpoint, and they certainly have proved an educative object lesson to those who have been interested enough to visit the farms, or failing which to read the results therefrom. in the various pamphlets dealing with these experiments issued by the Agricultural Department from time to .time, and which are incorporated in that admirable production, "The Annual Report of the Department of Agriculture." But I am of the opinion, Sir, that the pamphlets on th? report reterred to are not very widely read, and I make bold the assertion that not more than 10 per cent, of the farmers of the Wairar apa are very familiar with either, and this is doubtless the weak point in connection with the Government farms. Your correspondent is correct in saying that the experiments conducted by the Government for the farmer are not productive of the best results that should accrue, due perhaps partly to the farmers' apathy in the matter. Judging from the reports of experiments in turnip, swede and mangel growing, recently appearing in your widely circulated paper, as conducted by the Masterton A. and P Association last year, and for two or three years past, the committee of the Association have evidently recognised the fact that joj must encourage the farnw to individually experiment, or in other words, to think and act for himself. I With a view of ascertaining the best breed of cow or the best cross for dairy or factory purposes, the Wairarapa P. and A. Society alsoconducted some admirable experiments last year. In encouraging or conducting these experiments the two Societies were really only doing their duty to the farmer, but it was nevertheless highly commendatory. I am led to believe that the' two would only be too willing to extend their operations if funds would permit, but it is a regrettable fact that, after paying cut prize money and working expenses incidental to the conduct of the annual shows, very little surplus cash remains. Your correspondent's suggestion that Mr Buchanan be prevailed upon to donate the £6,000 now under offer to the Government to the two Wairarapa A. and P. Societies, or invest tha amount and divide the interest between them, conditionally that the money is disposed of under proper supervision, is a happy one, and I am confident will appeal most forcibly to that gentleman. Mr Buchanan is one ot whom the Wairarapa is justifiably proud. The donation of the amount named would indeed serve as a living munument to one of the Dominion's most worthy men.—l am, etc., WAIRARAPA. "DRINK." To the Editor. Sir,—l paid a brief visit to the Town Hall last evening, and without wishing in any way to discuss the merits of the series of scenes of degradation presented to what, 1 should take to be a healthy minded and pleasure bving audience, it struck me as being a rather humorous feature that Virginie, the chief "devil" of the play—if you can call such a thinga play—was a teetotaller! Surely someone has been guilty of an oversight. Mr T. E. Taylor should make the necessary correction without delay, otherwise "the moral effect of the drama" may be productive of laughter instead of tears.—l am, etc., AMUSED.