AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 17712, 25 August 1919, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL CLUBS

DR REAKES APPROVES.

1 J l, kAIS a vei 7 E: 00 * 1 scheme inTrZ V. S V d the Dlreot °r of Agriculture U->r O. J. Roakcs), when asked for an opinion α-egarding tho proposal, already discussed by many authorities to arrange agricultural competiiions for bovs throughout New Zealand. " The Agricultural Department v ould be only too pleased to assist the originators of the scheme in any practicable way possible and so arrange tot its field inspection officers to co-operato 11: carrying it out" Competitions of the kind suggested have been arranged already in Otago by the Otago Expansion Leagne. ]> Re.rkes mentioned that the department had arranged to send to Dunedin for the purnose of carrying out work in Otago and" Southland a fcjghly-traiiK-d agricultural inspector, who ocro bined scientifio attainments with good practical knowledge. This officer would bo taking up his duties in the south within tlio next two months, and his assistance would prove of considerable vakie in that part of the country. Other officers would t-e available elsewhere, and their service?, a.uld be used, under tho direction of the department, in providing competitors with advice and information.

There can be no doubt at all that tho application of .approved scientific facts and practical scientific methods to agriculture is of the utmost valuo to the fanner " said Dr Reakes. "A general application ot scientific methods would go far to increase production in this country. It is well known at present that our farmers are not all good farmers, that even the good farmers are not always doing tho best possible with their land, and that in some of the most favoured districts of the dominion the standard of farming is not as high as in districts where the producers have to contend with great natural difficulties Any scheme that will improve pgnoultural methods and disseminate sound information is to be encouraged. The department is at present making inquiries with the object of still further strengthening the staff, and so enabling it to be of further assistance to farmers."

Dr Reakos said that tho judging of national agricultural competitions would present difficulty, owing to -variations in conditions. He thought the only way to SRcuro a fair test as between boys working ir different districts would be to place the judging in the hands of committees cont.'iinincr mop. who had practical knowledge of farming conditions and vho could assess the value of the work done on the various plots. _ The nature of the soil and the climatic conditions would have to be taken into account. Bui those were practical rliffioultios that, could bo overcome, as they appeared to havo been overcome in "fhe Uirtefl States, where similar competitions undoubtedly had been highly successful