The Waikatu Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, O: whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1891.

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2908, 5 March 1891, Page 2

The Waikatu Times AND THAMES VALLEY GAZETTE. Equal and exact justice to all men, O: whatsoever state or persuasion, religious or political. THURSDAY, MARCH 5, 1891.

With the advance o! civiii/alion. ami iucmiso of goacral Icnowludgo, imiiortauciuouilicsitioiisliiive become necessary in tho conduct of our business. This applio-s to all branches of human industry, but particularly so toayricultmv. Tho old \v:iy of farining by riilo of thumb, by which it almost, of necessity followed that ho who had tho best laud was tho best farmer, is beiuy rapidly broken up. and supercoded by modern systems, themselves tho outcome of longthy oxperiouceand careful investigation undor suiontilic guidance. Instances aro to be seen on all sides and in every land, which go far to show, that with increased scientific knowledge, improved implements, and a better understanding oi the wants of particular soils and crops, general fariniug (iucludiug fruit growing) is being raised from tho ranks of a laborious and often unprofitable occupation, to that of a steady and attractivo business, giving undor fair conditious, a substantial roturn for tho capital and labour oxpeuded; and at the samo tiuio is becoming a source of wealth aud permanent security to the Stato.

Towards this increased agricultural knowledge, perhaps nothing has assisted so materially aa tho establishment, citlior \yholly or in part by tho State, of agricultural schools and experimental farms. Thoso havo at ouco tho double advantage, of demonstrating to students, and it may be added, the goneral public, the theory and practico of soientilic, what many of us term} high-class farming. Their great value in this respect is fully understood in older countries, where agricultural schools and exporimcntiil stations arc studded over the land. Slowly, but surely, their beneficial influence is bcinir recognised in the colonies. The immense losses inflicted by a want of proper ngneultural knowledge, and the increasing pressure of worldwide competition, is opening the eyes of all to the fact that farming is no fool's business. .If our sous arc to become successful agriculturists, they must know considerably more than merely how to turn a straight furrow with the plough. The single effort, so far made in New Zealand to teach high-class farming, as, at the Lincoln College in Canterbury, has not been altogether a success. Several reasons have been assigned for this, the principal one perhaps being the usual mistake of sinking a far larger sum than was iw, all necessary, in land and buildings, thus crippling the enterprise ut the start. Then again, charging a fee of JC 10 a year for the three years' course, placed its advantages out of the reach of farmers' sous of only modern , e means. Tho authorities of the College apparently overlooked the important point, that the real benefit arising' from the diffused agricultural knowledge, though obtained first hand by the students, is ultimately enjoyed by the whole State. The primary object should have been to fix tho fee so as to prevout actual loss. Wo observe that the course- of instruction has been changed, to one of two years, with an annual foe of sixty five pounds. Our readers will judge whether this übaiige is calculated to iucreaso the popularity of. tho institution, and bring together an iuercased number of students, of the class which most i.ecd such instruction, namely farmers' sons, and others who look forward agriculture as a means of livelihood. Wr> fear not-, greater exolii.sivencss, and restricted influence will be the result.

But with all its shortcomings, it is unquestionable that the Lincoln Collfgc has clone useful service for f,ho .State. Soils and manures from all parts of the colony have been tested free of rest to the sender. We know of instances where adulteration has 1/ceii detected, and consequent loss avoided, and where information has been given, largely inllucuehii,' the future, action of the landowners. The value of these services, scattered and piece-meal though they seem to be, can scarcely be estimated, for it must be remembered, that a loss to the farmer, is in reality a loss to the Stale Wo belii've. unsuccessful in some respects though the l-iuuulu College may b<. 1 , it ha*, in ii quiet way. been a valuable in-'tiUUiou b> Iho eolouy. and this will 1)0 admitted liun-e freely, in future than it has been in the pabt. I '".it tlie question still remains, whether an airni-iiHural -(•liool and model larm • ••_■'lllL not be mado buH'-supp'Htiii-' m well as a ij'jitroe ul' iiimieii .' valiii: !'J the >juh;ii\. in L'lh'-i" - d iii:-tuad of !jeiLr.\ a e'jiiliiiu.al drain iiiioii llio public purse, it nii-ht be made k>

pay it? way. To answer this all important problem, wo must turn u> kinJrod institutions rlswhi'i'f'. The most I'Otivoiiioni for our purnoso many of tin" Mil-rounding rii'on:n*(ancr>N bcinj.' .similar to our nwn) i- iho Dooli'io Agricultural Collogo and Model .Farm, in Victoria, a description of which vvr> shall g'ivf in another issue.

I'm; .l;nm:iry number of tli , ; (Jon

:,niri.ir,irv Review contains nil :iriicl('liv Or. .\ ii-SiTsnii. on '■ ."Moritli'y liy A«;L (if I'jriiauicnL ' 1 1<: allsuls to the iuiM|ii.iliiy 'it HfiitciicesTjnssotl l>y .hull's m.il .Ma-i.iir;i(fs. nixl lie lii.U ■' in nil "I'iliniiry ciiscm tin- .-n.-- i;-<;<l, on iuliiiiitiiif,' hi.-j i;ijilt, Ik' allowed ;it oiicu to draw his" ;-c!il"lii'<: out of ;i b;i;,'. Tile n-.-iiil v.ijiiid tiol Iμ: lo any very -l:i! decree dill'i:rt'iit from tlmt wiik'li iK-rpl<!A("' Lliu expert."' Tin; l>;i--..iL'i' of anus lietwee.n Mr Colter, tli" .solicitor. -\llll Sir W. Fox. the other day, in tin: Auckland Police Court did not arise from any tincerUintv as to wlnt the Hcntenee would oo on the jjuolican it' he was guilty, but tho convictions that the higlnst possible penalty would be inflicted. It is impossible not to appreciate) tho L'uniestuess with which Sir \V. Fox carries on tho crusade against Iho K.iiiov'.raflL'.-, ami so long as liis strong feelings on tho matter are only given vviif to ou temperance platforms »" Tins a right to complain, bin. Sir W. Fox has dealt out sentences on sdmo of tho victims of the liquor systems which woro out of all proportion to those which are considered adequate by agoueral uousensus;of opinion, of his brother magistrates. lie has thus brought about tho inequality of sentences which Dr. Anderson points out is such a glaring evil, yir W. Fox, when dealing with unfortunate drunkards, should remember that it is equally his duty to award a suitablo sentence, as it is to weigh the evidence before him as to tho guilt or otherwise of the prisoner.