A FARMER'S TRIP TO CANTERBURY.

Mataura Ensign, Issue 1414, 22 November 1904, Page 3

A FARMER'S TRIP TO CANTERBURY.

(By Soutblandcr.) Having journeyed to Christchiirch by the southern express to see the recent show of the Canterbury A. and P. Association, I venture to record a few impressions. Arriving in Christchurch on Tuesday night, I was unfortunately 'too late for tho first day's meeting of the Farmers' Union Conference, but was present during the second day's proceedings, which lasted only about two hours. Tho discussions were interesting, and I was surprised that only two or three members outside tire various Executives availed themselves of the invitation of the President to be present. Many erroneous impressions and prejudices would bo removed if members generally attended such meetings, and the Union would bo brought into a more healthy condition. I found that in tho North it is as difficult to collect subscriptions as it is iu Southland, and as is the case here also, a number of those who arc large landowners appear to have the least interest in the success of the Union. It is only when there arc wrongs to be redressed that some people will take an interest in movements set a-going for tho general welfare of the community : but as we cannot be organising o'prv now and again we should all strive to make the splendid organisation which has been at work during tho last three years vigorous and effective. It is probable that if farmers generally knew the aims of some socialists and the influence they are exerting iu the world they would appraise the Farmers' Union at its true value. When Henry George's famous book. "Progress and Poverty," was lirst published twenty-five years ago he was congratulated by a big lando'.vuer on his splendid scheme for the amelioration of the human race. This may seem strange, seeing that Jlcny George preaches practically confiscation of landed property, but the big landowner deemed the scheme Utopian and impossible of realisation, and therefore enjoyed the piquancy of it. He would not have been so complacent to-day, when George's works are actually influencing legislation in regard to land and land taxation throughout the English speaking world, and particularly in New Zealand. lam afraid that there are a considerable number of farmers uist as complacent with regard to proposals regarding land tenure and land taxation as the landowner who congratulated Henry Georoe. but they may find that their indifference will prove detrimental t<» their interests. Hut this is a digression. After the Conference was over, Messrs Leadlcy, O'Jlalloran and other members of the Canterbury Executive made arrangements for a visit to the Lincoln Agricultural College. A party of ten drove out. and fourteen miles' drive occupying an hour and ahalf. We were welcomed on arrival by the director. Ah- I.owrie. After enjoying a cup of tea. we proceeded to inspect the school, farm buildings find farm. The buildings are elaborate and substantial, and well lilted for the purpose for which they are intended. There are forty-four students

in attendance at present, which is about the average of recent years. The rooms in which veterinary science and agricultural chemistry are taught are very interesting indeed, and a casual inspection of the veterinary instruments and chemical apparatus is of some educational value. We next strolled through a number of large paddocks on the. farm, which comprises about seven hundred acres, ininspecting the live stock and crops. The afternoon was pleasantly -pent. and we. left Lincoln about (i p.m.. after giving three hearty cheers to the director for his kindness. Residents of both town and country hold a variety of opinions regarding the value of agricultural schools, and I think that the concensus of opinion is unfavorable. I am inclined, however, to look favorably upon them, and I should like to see' every youth wlio intends a farmer getting the valuable instruction in veterinary and agricultural science which is imparted at the Lincoln school of agriculture. A fanner <(■ es not iri'l t; be an agricultural clicm-ist-he would not have the time (■> make the analyses even if he v i re competent to do so—but it would he useful to him to understand the chemical notation and know the value of the chemical constituents of manures. Jt is, of course, also unnecessary for a farmer to be a veterinary surgeon, but a fair knowledge of the veterinary art would prove of good value. Thousands of pounds sterling are lost annually in this country liecause so many owners of animals have not an elementary knowledge of anatomy. physiology and general pathology. I don't think, howe.er. that boys need to go to an agricultural school to learn practical farm work : probably work on a win would be of more practical value-. If farmers only eared to encourage their sons to acquire valuable scientific knowledge it would soon be brought to their doors, h was tried last year in Southland by the Farmers' i T _nion acting in conjunction with the Education Board and High Schools Board, but the; attendance at the splendid lectures was small, and this year it was disappointing in the extreme. I really think now that we will have to give sixth standard boys a taste for agricultural science in the sch xils. seeing that the present generation of farmers seems to be unaware that there is a valuable field unexplo'od. Their condition seems to be that of a blind man who never had sig-M, ] am not asserting that farmers generally are not well up to their busiivss. On the contrary. T think they understand farming just as well as -.ny other section oi the community understands its own business, but I i nhesitatingly assert that farmers Ibid a fair knowledge of veterinary science of great value to them, and a smattering of agricultural chemistry at least interesting. The show was interesting, but <he entries 'were so numerous in many clasr.es of live stock that anyone desirous of learning much would find it an advantage to be present during the three days of the exhibition. The quality of the stock was verv li'gh indeed. Many farmers would have liked to see the agricultural motor at work, but were disappointed. T learned that first-class land in Canterbury had risen in price £1 or €5 per acre during the last twenty years, and that the price of secondclass land had increased to a greiter extent. Sheep land on the Port hills

was said to be selling at £7 per acre. Hesidents in Southland wonder how three or four times the value of land here can be paid in Canterbury, but when one sees the amount of pasture and crops produced where the climate is more favorable and the population denser one's wonder lessens. It ivas asserted that potatoes paid well tit £2 per ton, but they will not jay here at a good deal more than that price. The pasture was abundant, and the crops so far advanced that the soil was hidden from view. A word iu conclusion regarding the train service and hotel accommodation. It is a great advantage to travellers to get to Christchiirch in one day, and the journey did not. appear to be wearisome to any*>ic. Two meals in the train and oeca-u ->nal stoppagts at stations afforded sufficient- variety combined with reading card playing and conversation. Travelling at holiday time lias its disadvantages, however, as it is very difficult to get accommodation. Fortunately my party made arrangements beforehand. .Some of those who end not- done so wisely stayed tho first night at townships (his side of their destination, thus being enabled to look for accommodation in the daytime.