MOUMAHAKI EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXXII, Issue 9666, 3 December 1909, Page 4

MOUMAHAKI EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Among other institutions of an at tractive character, the Mouma'iaki Experimental Farm is suffering from the economical blight that is sweeping the country. According to a Press Association telegram half the staff were paid off on Wednesday, leaving only a rew men to carry on this year's experiments. The telegram, which seems to be of an inspired character, further states that

mori3y spent 0:1 this year's experiments bids fair to be th'jwn a way, and that there is onsiderab'e fee-

ing 0.1 the coast over the retrenchment, which is generally considered a very short-sighted proceeding. The "Wanganui Herald" is very indignant over the affair, and declares that no sane man could expect an experimental farm to pay in a commercial sense. The contention, of course, is true enough, but it does not amount to much in the present circimstances. There is an old adage fiat "there is reason in roasting eggs," and large expenditures on experimental farms are not quite in the condition of the Government's purse at the present time. Moreover, the farmers of the Dominion are an intelligent, prosperous and progressive body of men, and are quite capable of making experiments for themselves. The experience that teaches is unquestionably the best that can be gained. Experimental farms are, no doubt, valuable institutions up to a certain point, but there has ever been too great a tendency upon the part of the Government to indulge in "spoonfeeding" generally, and to create department? which, curiously enough, provide a large number of billets. It would be interesting to know how much the successful farmers of the Dominion owe to the experimental farms, and likewise, what the GO- - has to show for the money that has been spent.