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of imported seeds during the war period have already turned the attention of a few farmers to this production. The soil and climate of New Zealand are, in the opinion of those who have had experience in this industry, very suitable for the production of seeds of high quality —quite equal to the best imported. The Committee is of opinion that to establish this industry on sound lines an expert should be engaged to instruct farmers who are desirous of carrying on this branch of production in the best methods to secure a first-grade product, true to type and of the highest possible germination. If this is done many thousands of pounds of money which at present goes out of the country for seeds will be spent amongst our own farmers. There is also a field for the establishment of a payable industry in the production of horticultural seeds, which is worthy of careful consideration. Experimental Farms. As the methods employed in agriculture are becoming more and more scientific it behoves the Dominion, if it wishes to keep in the forefront as a producing country, to see that its farmers are equipped with scientific knowledge. The value of experimental work in connection with agriculture and stock-raising is being recognized more and more by the farming community, and there is a strong demand in the country districts for the extension of this policy by the Department of Agriculture. The present experimental farms are giving satisfactory results in this respect, but they have their limitations and cannot possibly cover the whole field of work. In the opinion of the Committee these farms can be increased in number to the advantage of agricultural knowledge and education. Owing to the great diversities of soil and climate in the different districts of New Zealand it is necessary to have an experimental farm situated, or experimental work carried on, in at least each provincial district. At present there is not an experimental farm in the South Island, but there is provision on the estimates for one in Westland. This, we believe, will be of great value to settlement in that district. Utilization of Lincoln College. In Canterbury the Lincoln College is doing good service in providing an agricultural education for youths, and as this portion of its work requires the whole of its revenue it is able to carry out experiments on a limited scale only ; but if its revenue were strengthened the College staff would be enabled to carry out much experimental work in the way of plant-breeding, &c, which would be of the greatest assistance to the agricultural industry of Canterbury and Otago. The Committee is of opinion that a desirable arrangement could be made if the Department of Agriculture were to co-operate with the College in this work, and recommends that the Government liberally subsidize that institution to meet the added expense. Dairy School. Your Committee has carefully considered the question of the establishment of a dairy school or college, where the operatives and managers engaged in the factories should be trained on up-to-date scientific lines. The present method of obtaining knowledge of the work is altogether too crude, and cannot but be detrimental to this important branch of the country's business. The probable early development of the manufacture of rennet, casein, dried milk, condensed milk, and sugar of milk makes the immediate consideration of this question imperative, owing to the fact that few skilled operatives and managers are available in New Zealand. The Training of Managers and Assistants. We recommend that a dairy school be opened for the scientific training of factory-managers and assistants, who shall be granted certificates according to the standard of proficiency achieved. These certificates should not be the exclusive right of students attending the school, but should be available to all who can attain to the standard of knowledge and proficiency set for the school examinations. The site of the school is of no material consequence, and it is possible that it could be
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