THE BIBLE

Wairarapa Times-Age, 22 March 1939, Page 7

THE BIBLE

AN AGRICULTURAL GUIDE.

INTERESTING ADDRESS BY MAJOR BARROWS.

Possessing an interesting personality and a pleasing voice, Major E. E. Barrows commanded an attentive hearing from a large gathering of the public at the Social Hall, Municipal Buildings, Masterton, last night, when he gave an interesting lecture under the auspices of the Masterton branch of the British Israel World Federation. The speaker was introduced by the chairman (Mr Duncan McGregor). Taking as the first part of his address, the Bible and our land laws, Ma'jor Barrows gave an informative survey of the Bible as an agricultural guide, and in a most interesting manner showed how such practices as hybridisation and kindred applications were not in accordance with the teachings of the Bible. Dealing with a question of vital importance to the farmer today—land deterioration— Major Barrows quoted from a communication which had passed between the Sheepowners’ Federation and the Prime Minister in which the gravity of the matter was stressed. "How can we expect to feed ‘live’ soil with dead minerals, and then expect the soil to produce more?” asked the speaker. “The most common natural fertiliser provided for us is the earth-worm, and I ask any farmer to find a single worm where fertiliser has been applied for a period of time. The problem can be rectified by the simple expedient of ‘resting the soil’ for a period, as we learn from the Bible. This has been definitely proved and today we have one European country which has applied this method to its pastures, with success.” He referred to other aspects of existing farming practices of the day. As the second part of his address, Major Barrows gave an excellent insight into the situation in Palestine, acquired by personal experience. The causes of the trouble there were outlined briefly and clearly. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclamation to Major Barrows for his excellent address.