STATE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

Evening Post, Volume LXXV, Issue 24, 29 January 1908, Page 3

STATE EXPERIMENTAL FARMS.

INTENTIONS OF THE GOVERNMENT. [Bt Telegraph. — Special to The Post.J -AUCKLAND, Thjs Day. On being interviewed during his visit to the Waikato, the Hon. fi. M'Nab, Minister for Agriculture, gave a Herald reporter some information regarding tho future policy of tho Government in regard to the- State Experimental Farms. PROVISION FOR CADETS. Provision foi' cadets — one of the latest directions in which"^ the educative influence of 'these farms is being turned — 13 to be provided at Ruakura. The sum of £1000 was voted for this 'purpose last session, and it is expected that the to-, total cost will be about £1250. The buildI ing will afford accommodation for about I 12 cadets, with which it is hoped to 1 mako a start in the initiation of this now feature of tha wosk. "We are continnally," said Mr. M'Nab, "being approached by farmeru who desire that thoir sons should havo an opportunity of seeing farming of a high class carried on. There are also the* other young fellows who come to tho Dominion from Home, and who desire to get an idea of farming conditions in New Zealand before they take up land on their own account. We will be able to cater for these classes of students." The cadets would be able to gain a practical knowledge of the work, but although a few lectures would of course be given the object aimed at was not the establishment of an agricultural school in the ordinary/ sense of the word: He hoped to have similar provisions made at the other State farms as thay pot further forward. The Ruakura building would bo ready for occupation next summer. A USEFUL MODEL, "Do you consider that the Ruakuva farm is satisfactorily fulfilling tho object for which it was established?" the Minister was asked. "Yes," was the icpiy. "I do. From all I can hear it is proving a useful model for the whole of the Waikato. Wo have, of course, to remember that the longer these farms arc in existence the more complete they must be made. They must be kept up to date, or else they leso their 1 power as an examplo for good." "What of tho results from a financial ficint of view?" "We do not, of course, expect the farms which exist, not for commercial but for experimental purposes to pay their way with a mixed general farm like that at Ruakura. We think that we are doing satisfactorily if we ran bring our .yearly receipts within £2500 to £3000 of tho expenditure." The Minister stated that whilst "experiment" "will always be the watchword in respect to the* management of these farms, everything produced in connection with these experiments would be turned to the fullest advantage. "Hitherto," he added, "we have been too inclined to pay heed to the -cry that in Selling tho products of our farms wo are competing with private enterprise, but henceforth, whilst preserving the primary aim of experimental work,, we incoiid to sell everything available, and thus assist in making the farms as remunerativo as possible." SUPPLYING EGGS. As an instance of what is being done in this direction, Mr. M'Nab referred to tha Government Poultry Farm at Milton (Otngo), from which for some time eggs have been supplied to tho Dunedin market. These eggs, he said, usually brought from id to Id per dozen more than other eggs, as buyers appeared to regard State production as a guarantee of freshness. It was intended to extend tho fawn by raising the number of laying hens for regular sale supply to a thousand. Asked whether there was any outcry of undue competition with 'private enterprise in. connection with this farm, tho Minister said that there was none, and that the small farmers, as a matter of fact, often availed themselves, of the existence of the State institution as an opportunity for gaining useful advice. AT WAERENGA. At Waerenga considerable attention is being paid to the fruit section, and liter on, when the orchards are in full bearing, it is proposed to lease some of them in areas of, say, twenty-five acres. The fiist orchard available for leasing would probabJy be ready in about twelve months' tiia^ v