THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1913. EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Wairarapa Age, Volume XXV, Issue 10713, 14 June 1913, Page 4

THE Wairarapa Age MORNING DAILY. SATURDAY, JUNE 14, 1913. EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Some doubt has been expressed as to whether the experimental farms in New Zealand are returning to the Dominion full value for the money expended upon them. Indeed, it has been openly asserted by the Press and by Parliamentarians, that these farms do not produce the results expected of them. In Canada they appear to work their experimental farms on more systematic and efficient lines. The annual report for 1912 has been criticised by the Ohristchurch Press, which says it is a voluminous work,' and contains the reports of the director and acting Dominion agriculturalist, Dominion hortioulturalist, cerealist, chemist, entomologist, botanist, and poultry manager, and, also reports from the auperintendoate of ten branch experimental .stations. The Dominion officers are connected with a central station, and their reports cover a wide field of work, the results of wkich are set out in careful detail. The experiments relating directly to agriculture and_ stock are, worked out to a conclusion to show the actual fwaneial results. The work of lie fiorticulburaliat «is not confined to fruit-growing, but includes 1 the cultivation of forest and ornaI mental trees, and even of flowers. • In tibia connection it may be mentioned tfcat experiments Irate been rofldo

to ascertain what. trees, vegetables and flowers will grow in the newlyopened lands in the far west. In a grain-growing country like Canada the Dominion cerealiat has plenty of work before him in selecting oereaVand facommending the most suitable varieties, and extensive tables are published showing the results of various testa. The Dominion chemist gets j through a large amount of valuable J work, and in addition to discharging the usual duties of an agricultural ' chemist, he concerns himself with such matters as the water supply. As Canadian farmers usually depend upon shallow wells of 10 feet to 30 feet in depth, the danger of an infected supply is obvious. The report of the Dominion Entomologist shw» that Canada has its share of insect pests, and in administering the Destructive Insect and Pest Act, a good deal of work is entailed in inspecting and fumigating imported nursery stock. Diseases of plants aa-e also fairly troublesome, as the report of the Dominion botanist indicates. Poultry raising is rapidly developing in the Dominion, according to the report of the-poultry manager, the reasons given being the rapidly increasing home market for new-laid eggs, the better quality of poultry and the prospects of higher rather than lower prices. The reports of the Superintendent of the branch experimental farms and stations cover the wholes area from the east coast of Canada to British Columbia. Most of the work reported upon relates almost .entirely to growing grain, roots, fruit, etc., for few farms carry sheep, which indeed, are. an insignificant factor in the agricultural economy of Canada. One gathers from the reports of the Dominion's officers that the work they undertake is extending. More experimental stations are being formed, and it is stated that the increasing correspondence on agricultural, horticultural, and similar subjects, indicates that Canadian farmers are awakening to the need for reliable assistance in the many problems and difficulties that confront them in their work. The Dominion officers visit the branch farms and stations, and advise the superintendents, and attend farmers' conventions and deliver addresses. The report on experimental farms is said to have been reduced in size from previous years, and is to be further reduced in future in favour of timely bulletins, or seasonal supplementary reports.