THE DIFFUSION OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE.

Waikato Times, Volume XV, Issue 1296, 19 October 1880, Page 3

THE DIFFUSION OF AGRICULTURAL KNOWLEDGE.

It is encoumgjng to find that the number of farmers', duos is gradually on the increase, and th&t the old clubs and associations are giving signs "of renewed vitality. The subjeots for discussion are generally well chosen, and such as are fikely to bring about some practical good. Several of the agricultural associations confine their work almost, if not quite, exclusively to holding an annual district exhibition. This may be a very practical way of diffusing knowledge, but we question whether it is always the most effective, as it is like exhibiting a diagram without the explanatory text. And except in a few of the more important centres, the competition is seldom large enough to produce any good result. Even in our largest shows the catalogue and prize list in some classes are' sufficiently monotonous, while m some of the shows in the country districts prizes in certain classes fall, almost as a matter of course, to the same exhibitors^ year after year. We think, therefore^ that an association which does not extend its efforts beyond an annual show falls short o* its proper functions. An association that has the energy and inteltigehcfc requisite for the organisation of a show should have no difficulty in finding useful matter for discussion at occasional meetings.' It may be indifference that withholds the result of much valuable experience from the public, but diffidence has probably more to do with it. But a man of extensive observation .should not allow himself to bo deterred from giving hi«* brother farmers the benefit of his ideas by a sense of literary deficiency. In this cose the thoughts will lose none of their value through being conveyed in homely language. Generally speaking the less ambitious the subject the greater will be its utility, .and the value of the opinons being brought forward will depend greatly upon their being drawn from every day experience. Text books on agriculture are not to be despised, but what is wanted in a new country is the knowledge that brings with it the fresh air of the field, and the weight of direct " observation. There are great principles of agriculture, and certain laws of production which are equally applicable to every country, but each country should have its own agricultural literature. Such a literature cannot be built up at the desk alone, but to' be of any value whatever must rest upon a solid substratum of f.tcts. These facts must be derived from the observation and experience of many men. No limited number of men, however industrious and painstaking they may be, can possibly build up a literature or asoience. The cultivators of a new country are very much like a party of explorers, but an explorer unless he leaves land marks behind him, takes observations, and records facts, confers little benefit upon tho-e who come after him. The chief value of his work will have been lost. Let us by all means avail ourselves to the fullest extent of the recorded experience of older countries, but do not let us fail to add our contribution to the sura total of accurate human knowledge. We have said that in order to perform good work it is not necessary that the subjects taken up by a Club or Association should cover much ground at once. The man who succeeds in introducing a new and remunerative, crop, or who leads the way to a better system of management in any department of agriculture is a greater benefactor to his species than he who gives rise to endless discussion and wide-spread agitation on subjects of importance to the whole country, but all of •which goes off in vapour. The Royal Agricultural Society of England whioh is now in the 42nd year of its career, set out with aims of the most strictly practical naturr, and the result fully justifies the action of its founders, and proves their wisdom. According 1 to the terms of its charter it was provided that there should , be "the strictest exclusion from their ' councils of every question having a poli- ■ tical tendency." Political subjects were j defined to be "those questions of debate on which the people of every individual country entertain sentiments so much at variance with each other." This ex-cluf-ion of political questions has no doubt contributed greatly to the success of the Society. It prevented the new Society from degenerating into a mere debating club, but placed uo obstruction in the way ri its petitioning the Government to take measures for defending agriculturists against the cattle plague and other common enemies. Among the chief objects of the Society, as recited in the charter, is the embodiment of huch information contained in agricultural and scientific publications as has been proved to be u&eful tothe cultivators of the soil. It was also to correspond with other Societies at home and abroad, to select from such correspondence whatevet appeared to be useful information, and to provide for testing its value by actual .experiment. Attention- was also to be given to the improvement Of farm buildings, the application of chemistry to the general purposes of agriculture, the destruction of injurious insecte, and the eradication of weeds. The society was to promote the discovery of new varieties of grain and vegetables of a useful nature. Information was to be collected bearing upon the management of woods', plantations, and fences, and measures were to be taken for the improvement of the education of those depending upon the soil for their support. Measures were to be taken for the improvement of the veterinary art, as applied to cattle, fcheep and piirs, aud by the ninth clause of the charter it was provided that improvements in agriculture should be encouraged by the distribution of prizes and by other means. It will thus be seen that the operations of tt»e Royal Society embrace every possible phase of agriculture, but its aims are all strictly practical. — Canterbury Times,