A NOTABLE ADVANCE

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7929, 12 October 1911, Page 2

A NOTABLE ADVANCE

AGRICULTURE IN NEW ZEALAND

MINISTER’S ANNUAL REPORT,

“The successful development of primary industries being of paramount importance to the Dominion’s welfare," states the Hon. T. Mackenzie, Minister of Agriculture, in his annual report, “it is gratifying to me to be able to record tbat solid advancement is being made in all branches of agricultural activity, the increasing output from the farms of the Dominion indicating that improved methods are being adopted and that settlers on new country are rapidly making productive tho virgin lauds. 1 am pleased to know that our farmers are exhibiting a praiseworthy endeavour to second the efforts of the officers of my department to breed their stock and produce their crops on the most advanced principles. They are evidently realising the essential iact that in these days of keen market rivalry it will only pay to produce the highest class article, and it is quality rather , than quam.l iy tbat must bo moil- objective, a tact which, i have repeatedly emphasised. “The past year was one oi’ gratiiymg production, notwithstanding a dry tinnier and autumn, especially in some southern districts. Uhe diseases of louder crops, combined with, unfavourable climatic conditions lor their healthy development, seriously curtailed the suppD of special louder lor cattle and elieep, but a good mild autumn favoured tho production of green crops, which have in a largo measure made up for the shortage of routs. ‘Trices for the bulk of our staple products have been satisfactory, and tho year, on tho whole, has been one of fair production and reasonably remunerative returns.

CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENTS, A FORWARD STEP.

“I appreciate the sympathy and support farmers havo extended U) my depaiunuia ui tut* important work of initiating and carrying out local experiments on the co-operative principle |suys tile Minister;, as I realise that tho co-dperatiou of the farmer and the department in acquiring a knowledge of local conditions is of paramount importance. “The co-operative experiment not only provides a practical key to the most desirable methods of. procedure lor the ’farmers of a particular district, but brings the farmer into closer touch with tho activities of my department, while at tho same time it whets his appetite tor advanced knowledge of his calling. -During the past year many important tests have befeu conducted which can Only have a most beneficial effect on the farm x>rnctice of the districts in which tho work has been conducted. ... "The co-operative experimental work is directed by two officers of my department, one in each island, who are assisted m the layiug-out of the experiments by the chemist aud the biologist of the department, while they also have the assistance of field officers in the different districts in which they are conducted in the work of supervision/ ~ “Two special features of the co-opera-tive experiment /campaign in the JNortn Island have been the discovery of tlie best fodder for dairy cattle and the most suitable manurial dressing for .the improvement of pasturage, while in . the South Island the testing of new varieties of grain and suitable fertilisers for cereal crops in general have received principal attention/'