OF INTEREST TO SOLDIERS.

Digger (Invercargill RSA), Issue 19, 23 July 1920, Page 15

OF INTEREST TO SOLDIERS.

REPATRIATION. INSTRUCTION IN SEED RAISING AND FARMING ON THE MOA SEED FARM. Towards the close of 1919 the Repatriation Department was authorised to proceed with their scheme for establishment of a commercial seed raising farm. About 450 acres have been selected and secured in the Roxburgh district and it is considered that the land and the climatic conditions a»'e the most suitable in New Zealand for seed raising purposes. During the past nine months the land has been prepared, and by August or September seed raising will be in full swing. The Repatriation Department announces that Mr J. W. Hadfield has been appointed manager, and will assume duties early in July. Mr Hadfield comes to this district with high qualifications. He holds a diploma in agriculture and for some years was instructor to the llawkesbury Agricultural College, New South Wales, and in that position made a speciality of plant breeding. Mr Hadfield has latterly been in charge of agricultural instruction to the Seddon Memorial Technical College, Auckland, and leaves that position for his present post. It is admitted that seed raising has been much neglected in New Zealand, and the establishment of the Moa Seed Farm fills a much neoded want, both from the national and repatriation point of view. New Zealand has been a large importer of agricTiltural and horticultural seeds and tbere is a big future a waitiri g those who take up this indutsry on scientific lines, and under the auspices of the Moa Seed Farm. In addition to commercial seed raising a certain amount of experimental work will be done, the management will at all times be prepared to give advice and assistance to any growers in the district. A course of lectures will be undertaken and these will be open to both students and tra.inees on the property as well as to any settlers in the district. Mr A. H. Cockayne, who has recently returned from America, whei'e he made a special study of seed raising is very enthusiastic about the prospects, and, in conjunction with other experts, is of opinion that seed raising will be more beneficial and productive to settlers in the Roxburgh district than fruit growing. The principal advantages to a settler are that a small outlay of capital is needed and early returns are assured, while the occupation is a healthy and congenial one. Tlre work for the coming season includes 7 g acres of main vegetables, and 2 J,- acres of a wide range of flowers in addition to general farm crops of potatoes, peas, lucerae, barley, etc., for seed purposes. A course in gen.eral farming as well as seed raising will be given to all the students, and the ministerial board of the Repatriation Department has authorised the expenditure of the necessary funds to put the buildings in thorough order and to supply the new buildings necessary. ti the meantime returned soldiers only are eligible for training on this farm, and they will be comfortably housed, with regard given to the social side. The opportunity is an excellent one for those dcsirous of instruction as outlined, as no fees will be charged and all trainees accepted for the farm will be paid at the rate of £2 10s per week, less £1 per week for board. All agricultural colleges of instruction in New Zealand are full and there is a waiting list. As, how.ever, the Moa Seed Farm is now ready to accept trainees there is room for a limited number of students, and early application should be made by those desirous of taking advantage of the training offered. The course of instruction will cover from four to twelve months, aird trainees can dctermino whether their instruction will be in agricultural or horticultural seeds, or both. The Repatriation Department will assist students who have completed the course to obtain land suitable for seed raising, and the object of the Department in taking such a large area as 450 acres is to enable the Department to cut up a section of the farm for settlers if it is found desirable. Applications for admission to the farm should be addressed to the. secretary, Repatriation Department, Invercargill, and trainees will be admitted to the farm in rotation to their application.