TE AWAMUTU.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 2587, 9 February 1889, Page 2

TE AWAMUTU.

Harvkstin'G.— Harvesting is now in full •swing, reapers and binders going day and night, for when darkness sets in lamps are used and the machines worked all night through. This is absolutely necessary, in view of the fact that the late very warm weather ripened all the crops at once. ICven wheat sown late, and which it was thought would not ripen as soon as the early spring and winter sown grain, has ripened just as soon. The result is that, notwithstanding the increased number of machines purchased in order to meet the requirements of the increased acreage, it is found that even continuous worn is not sufficient to meet the demands upon them. Another reason is because many of the machines have been stopped by breakages, involving the loss ~f a half and sometimes a whole day. It remains to be seen whether these breakages are the result of faulty construction or of tinforseen accidents. If the former, then the new machines do not possess all that was claimed for them. Throughout the district the oat crop will not be up to the usual average, but the yield of wheat will be satisfactory. Potatoes. — The latest quotations from Sydney state that the price is from £15 to tIS a ton, yet buyers are only offering from £4 to £4 10s here for them. Home one mu-t be making a big profit, and these, quotations show that it is not the grower. Of course tl would give a h tudsome prolit on a fair crop, but it is out of all i>ro|i->ition to the Sydney quotations. In sending potatoes to an Auckland agent for transmisdon to Sydney, he must in turn employ an a»ent there who, of course will also charge a commission for his work, ;uid so the farmer has to pay two commissions instead of one. If eoiiio reputable agent in Sydney were written to he could receive consignments direct, and if one farmer's lot was too sm-tll to send he could combine with one or other farmers, putting distinctive marks on the bags containing the different lots, and so make up a consignment sufficiently large to send over, thus avoiding an extra commission. The late

rains have been favourable to the growth of this crop, but it is impossible as yet to predict with any accuracy the ap,iro>:iiti'ito yield. Many paddocks promise well but until they are taken up, the quantity is mare guess work. It is to be hoped for the farmer's sake that the returns will be Rood, for there is this year a good chance of improving the condition of the settlers. School M.vitkiw. — A meeting of the school committee was held on Monday evening, only one of the seven members being absent. The Chairman read the circulars from candidates for seats 011 the Hoard of Education, when it was decided to vote for Professor Thomas and Mr Luke. These two were decided on, as at the time it was thought oniy two were required, but since the meeting the chairman, Mr .1. L. Mandono, received a circular from the Board to the effect that three members were required, so that the committee will have to decide who is to be the third. Professor Thomas having stated that, if elected, he would endeavour to have instruction in agricultural chemistry made part of the curriculum, naturally recommended himself to the committee. In his circular lie said that lie recognised the fact that agriculture was the basis of .all prosperity', and therefore the subject mentioned should roeeivo more attention than it at present receives.

Mr Luke, coming as he does, from a country district may reasonably ho expected'to give his support to any measure which tends to give a knowledge of agricultural chemistry a prominent place in the system of education. There are many who say that chemistry as applied to farming is only nonsense, and that any farmer knows more about his business than these " college men " who never farmed an aero m their lives. That may be true enough as regards the practical part, but not the theoretical. Unless a man knows something of the constituents of the soil on his farm, ho might as well, perhaps, put sand on for guano, for it is only guesswork in such cases. If it suits it is all right, but if it does not he blames the manure; but if he knew j how to analyse his soil he could tell exactly the sort of manure it wanted, and there would therefore be 110 more of the element of chanco which exists so inuch at present. Any candidate therefore who will assist in imparting scientific knowledge in this important matter deserves the support of all country committees Instruction in agricultural chemistry however has not by any nv'ans been neglected in the To Awamutu school ns'Colonei Smith has been for some time in the habit of imparting instruction in this valuable branch as far as the limited number of text books at his command would admit. Somo of the standard subjects might with advantage bo left out, and replaced, in country districts at any rate, with one so much more important. The Inspector's report of the last exrmination was road by the Chairman of the Committee, and was most satisfactory. The Inspector considered the result in the face of the fact that the school had been closed for so many weeks during the epidemic of dipthcria, very good. Discipline and behaviour satisfactory. Dr. Riouahoson's Temperance Book. — The householders will shortly be called on to say whether they will have lessons in tiie above given in the various schools. Temperance very nat-nrally com nends itself to every right minded person, but the people can hardly be expected to give an intelligent opinion as to the merits or otherwise of this work unless they are acquainted with it. A suggestion was made by someone in Auckland that the city papers should publish it in weekly chapters in their columns so as to make the people acquainted with it. Now, as The Waikato Times has a much larger circulation in these districts than the city papers, it would be a good idea to publish a_ portion of the work in each Saturday's issue, by this means every householder would be able to exercise his jugdment on this important matter. According to Professor Aldis—ill tho Herald—children are told that it is quite right that they should know tho reason for obeying the commands of their parents before yielding obedience. If such is the caso wo may ail expect our children to ask the why and wherefore of everything wo tell them to do, thus sapping the foundation of discipline, for ready obedience is the basis of all discipline. It is the absence of homo discipline that fills our streets with larrikins and ruffians. If Professor Alflis's statement be correct, parents will do well to be careful as to how they vole on such an important matter. Many will, no doubt, bo influenced by their total abstinence principles, but there is something more than mere temperance or teetotalism tube taken into consideration if the Professor's statement be true. I cannot any personally whether it is or not having never read the hook, but as the teetotal section of the Board aro anxious to introduce the work, it would be only fair to let the public have an opportunity of judging for themselves.