AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

Northern Advocate, 25 January 1922, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS.

GOOD RESULTS OBTAINABLE. | A crcular was received at yesterday's meeting of the Whangarei SubProvincial branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union from the Auckland provincial executive stating that the Board of Agriculture had drawn attention to the / good results that had already been obtained in the U.S.A. and Canada, also in Otago, Taranaki and other parts of New Zealand, by the establishment of boys' and girls' agricultural clubs. Attention was drawn to the admirable encouragement given to the education of the young. It was asked that they unite in their respective centres, in order that similar clubs might be formed to give prizes for the best animal or produce exhibits by the boys and girls belonging to the clubs. In Taranaki during the first year | the root-growing competitions were confined to mangolds and swedes, and the area unit to one half chain square. As a general principle it was laid down that all that area should as far as possible be on the parents' land, although there was no objection to their getting a plot on someone else's farm. The parents ploughed or otherwise prepared the land and the competitor then took charge and did all further work. The Agricultural Department undertook to supply each competitor with sufficient manure and seed to sow the plots, the seeds to be selected by the department. It had been found, that to succeed the sympathies of school teachers must be enlisted, for their opportunity of securing the boys and girls was of the greatest importance; it might be said it was unique in that respect. To make a successful start required a considerable amount of organisation and time devoted to working up enthusiasm in the district. Once a club was started, the young people would carry it along, for youth was ever ready to enter into competition. Where the clubs succeeded parents soon saw the benefit of the training, for nothing brought before the young mind in such a degree the importance of care and system" in the growth of animals or produce, and nothing was more calculated to awaken interest in country pursuits than the rearing of .1 prize animal or the raising of a crop which woutd take a prize.

Mr McKemif. said that Maungakaramon had started last season by giving prizes for the best-kept garden and the best-reared calf. There weTC H entries in the latter class, which provided a very interesting competition. If a few more clubs were started it would be well for the T'nion to offer a cup for competition amongst the various districts. Mr Cubitt said he thought it was a good scheme, especially the calf-rais-ing competition, and he would like to see the movement extend. Th' 1 chairman said he was of the same opinion, as such competition.tended to make children take more interest in farming pursuits. It was decided that it was a matter for branches to take up, and the letter was received.