TEN ACRE FARMS.

Press, Volume LXVIII, Issue 20543, 11 May 1932, Page 4

TEN ACRE FARMS.

AN EXPERT'S OPINION. Mr B. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent of the Department of Agriculture, informed "Straggler" yesterday that he had received several enquiries irom men anxious to take advantage of the Government scheme to establish the unemployed on small farms, and some of the enquirers, he believed, would make a success of farming, as they were fully experienced. Mr McGillivray fcaid he had discussed the matter with a number of representative farmers. In all cases they were quite sympathetic, but pointed out many difficulties in connexion with the carrying out of the scheme. Some farmers had suggested to him that the size of farms should be increased to 20 acres, and the scheme restricted to land of first-class quality only. Mr McGillivray said he considered that the small farm scheme had possibilities. As pointed out by several farmers, there would be failures, but that was the case in settlements of all kinds, and there was no reason for anyone to take up a pessimistic attitude in connexion with the suggested new typo of settlement. It would afford an opportunity to some men to get on the land. Without a scheme such as this there would be very little chance of them ever being able to get a home of their, own under conditions where they could grow most of their necessities. Possible With Irrigation. In conversation with various farmers, "Straggler" gathered that there was a general agreement that the areas should not be limited to 10 acres, unless they wore on the outskirts of a city. One farmer considered that the scheme should be confined to suburban land, as ten acres in the country would be of very little use. There might bo some doubt as to the qualifications of many applicants, but it should not be forgotten that there were now many experienced farmers out of their farms, and on the unemployed list. They have had enough experience of big properties, "monkeyed" up to the maximum, and the only way for them to get back to the land would be by a small settlement scheme on good land, perhaps with the aid of irrigation and the growing of better fodders, such as lucerne, chou mollier, etc., to enable them to run 8 or 10 cows, a few pigs, poultry, and "runner" beef, for which there is always a, good market. Exports lay it down that the maximum area for an irrigated farm is 60 acms.so that 25 acres of our lighter [and in Canterbury possess possibilities if brought under water.