Experimental – Or Practical – Farms?

Northern Advocate, 16 December 1938, Page 3

Experimental - Or Practical - Farms?

Experimental farms are not viewed with any great amount of favour by some members of the Otamatea County Council.

This was made quite plain on Wednesday when the council was considering the appointment of a delegate to attend a meeting convened by the Northland Pig Council to discuss the establishment of an experimental farm as a Centennial project. From comments of councillors it was evident that the former experimental farm at Puwera was the basis for their criticism of the proposal. “There was an experimental farm at Whangarei, and it petered out,” said Mr R. Coates. “To-day they have one at Dargaville, but I have no idea how it is working.” “The farm at Whangarei was, in my opinion, mismanaged,” said Councillor T. Dodds, “and that is why it petered out. I saw them trying to bring in ti-tree covered gum land with a set of discs.

“An experimental farm is a good thing if it is carried out properly, and there is plenty of scope for one in the North,” concluded the speaker,. “The value of an experimental farm is that it shows you what not to do,” said Mr Coates. “I saw them spending pounds per acre trying to tile drain pipe clay land.” “It is far better to take people around to good farms and study the methods of sound practical farmers, who use more economical methods,’ commented Councillor T. H. C. Sneling. Councillor L. Ramsbottom was appointed the council’s delegate.