AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 2550, 13 November 1888, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION.

TO THE EDITOR. Sill,—The consideration of thte important subject has for somo considerable time past claimed your attention in a series of articles from time to time, to be found in the issues of your valuable paper. Your article in last Saturday's issue upon tho proper training of the rising generation in our public schools is of the greatest interest to our country and rural districts, and of which more may be said hereafter. But as some considerable time must elapse before those receiving instruction in our schools can bring the knowledge they could acquire into use, are there not thoso of older years to whom instruction could be imparted? They could at oncu put their knowledge into practice when acquired, to their own profit, and thus add to the general welfare and prosperity of the community at large. It is quite certain that the subject of agricultural education is little understood, and lers appreciated by the tillers of the soil than it should be, and whilst the nations of the continent, by steadily keeping this branch of technical education to the front, have been able t>supply large quantities of produce of all kinds for the food supply of the people of Great Britain, we, as u colony, have not yet done that which we ought and might have done. We have despised in this, as in other matters, the "day of small things ; therefore we are suffering from poverty— the word is ugly, no doubt, but is true. In the future we must look to ourselves, and not to our Government, in these matters. A gentleman in Waikato, who is wellknown for his agricultural knowledge acquired by technical training long ago in the Old Land, has been able to grow between 30 and 40 bushels of wheat to the acre upon ground which under other conditions would grow but little at all. He was also, through his knowledge of chemistry, in the early days of the manufacture of artificial manures able to make his own superphosphate and other fertilisers, and by their application upon the land of his farm in Yorkshire, converted a comparative barren holding into a most profitable and rich-growing wheat land. The same land would not keep at one time one cow in full milk, but when this gentleman left for New Zealand there were on it 20 animals, fat and sleek, and producing an abundance of milk and butter. Thus t.or technical kuowledge well applied. The markets of England are at our feet. Now, for the laying hold of our present opportunities. Could not something of the kind be attempted, whilst our Government are negotiating for the services of Professor Long ? (whose able articles in the Yorkshire Post have been my delight for some time). Let our excellent paper The Waikato Times publish in its columns a series of agricultural lesson*, beginning perhaps with agricultural chemistry or other portions of the subject ; and after a time let examination papers bo issued to committees formed in various centres, and prizes given for the best results obtained. Our young man would then have an opportunity of receiving instruction, and become interested in a subject which to them and us is of the greatest importance.—l am, &c. Settler. Raglan, November 4th, 1888.