BETTER FARMING.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 12 February 1927, Page 14

BETTER FARMING.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. The Department of Agriculture m Victoria is engaged in organising a “tetter farming” train for an educational tour of the State. The movement has its origin as a political stunt that was hurriedly decided upon recently when a general election appcareared to lie looming in the near future. The idea, of course, is merely an emulation of Victoria’s work in this sphere, which has had some warm '.ommendation here. There is a good deal of diversity of opinion, nevertheless, as to its real value, and whether the actual educational influence and oractical results will compensate . for the financial outlay. For one thing, ere is a much greater extent of country to cover, and settlement is more scattered in New South Wales than •in Victoria. While the Farmers and Settlers’ Association Conference, in August last, advocated the adoption >f the Victorian Letter Farming train scheme a. similar proposal when considered bv the advisory council of the Agricultural Bureau was rejected on the ground that the money that would be involved could be much better used in ext ending the work of field instruction. As a matter of fact the chioi officers of the Department of Agriculture were unanimous, in opposing the touring train proposal on those same grounds, hut they were over-ruled by the Premier. The position is that the (invernment, in straining lor economics, has cut down the year’s allocation for the held service of the Department of Agriculture, when provision should have been made for continued expansion. The extensive,. though as vet inadequate, field stall has done wonderfully effective work in reaching the farmer on his farm with tangible results in undoubted improvement in methods in all sections of farming and r.t.j k-keeping. It is really legrettable that this admirable work is i.:nv to bo . starved while thousands of pounds are I expended upon a doubtful experiment.