EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7865, 29 July 1911, Page 17

EXPERIMENTAL FARMS

Major Lusk (Auckland) moved— That consideration bo given to the methods under which experiments are carried -out on the Government experimental farms, and that the advisory committee be requested to consult tho Minister of Agriculture upon the subject after making tho necessary inquiries. Tho mover said tho methods formerly adopted were unsatisfactory, the farms costing a great deal more than they were worth. The Minister of Agriculture had told the Auckland provincial executive that ho was endeavouring to improve matters. Auckland favoured, in place of farms, experimental plots and an agricultural college. Officers had been placed in charge of farms who knew very little about tho work they were supposed to carry out. Mr J. B. Makgill (Auckland), in seconding the motion, said the farmers had lost confidence in the farms on account of some of the experiments having turned out useless. He gave instances in support of the Contention. The farms were not run on practical lines. Tho president suggested that Auckland

should appoint a subcommittee to report upon the farms. Tho remit was carried.