RESEARCH AND THE FARMER

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21511, 28 June 1935, Page 23

RESEARCH AND THE FARMER

TO THB EDITOB o» TUB PHES3 Sir—Your correspondent "Practical" cays that vciy few of those who speak of research have any idea of what it means. Well, if I have not I am no worse than he is, for he confuses experimental farming and efficient methods with research itself. My idea of a research worker is a specialist, highly trained in one branch of study. He may be a chemist, entomologist, botanist, or any other scientist, but he should not be required to know much of general farm work. The ex* perimentalist, on the other hand, is the connecting link between the research worker and the farmer, and though he, top, should be a specialised worker, the more he knows 'of'practical farming in the branch that'ha is engaged in, the better will his wocjt be. The farmer -who tries experiments on his own farm must soon realise that his work is mostly wasted. Experiments are often most contradictory and every detail has to be considered, while the longer they are sustained the more value they have. I fail to share the enthusiasm that j-our correspondent shows for the experimental work of the Department of Agriculture. The department has had a great chance and has run many experimental farms in its day, with all the help and money required, but the results have been consistently disappointing. Moumahaki, with its wheat plots, Weraroa, Ruakura, and many smaller ones have left very little to show for their work. I believe the improved efficiency of the department to-day is due to a great extent to the fine example of Lincoln College, which has a long list of definite results to its credit, but there seems to have been too much overlapping and duplication of work between the two bodies. No doubt the Department of Agriculture lis ideally fitted to be the directing body, but it should be content with what work it can manage, and should hand over a fair share to the other agricultural institutions, according to their capacity and suitability. These are in a position to undertake more research and experimental work, but are being starved for want of the work and the moivv. This letter is not meant to belittle the work of the many efficient and energetic officers in the various branches of the department, but the department itself often appears to be badly organised ar.d badly led. — Yours, etc., T.A.S. June 26, 1935.