FARMERS’ CLUB SCHEME.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20060, 29 March 1927, Page 4

FARMERS’ CLUB SCHEME.

GREAT SUCCESS IN ENGLAND. The farming industry is less attractive than it used to bo to ambitions men and , women. Kadi census shows a migration of population from the country to the cities. Wc may account for this partly by tho increased uso of labour-saving equipment, but many people have left tho farm because they have been dissatisfied with its opportunities or its social and economic conditions. 'the Young Farmers’ Club movement in Kngland, when thoroughly understood, may prove to bo one of tho most potential forces in ..overcoming this state of affairs. Membership is open to boys and girls up to 20 years of age. Club work teaches the general principles of thrift, accuracy, application ami self-confidence. In conducting their own meetings members learn the value of public speaking and debuting, and they are encouraged to take an interest in the communal life of their district. They arc I taught simple i o-t-aeeoimting and bookkeeping on simple commercial lines, and learn how to keep methodical records in : connection with the. livestock which they | themselves handle, ’lnstruction is given ! to members in modem dairy farming and 'beef product inn, in the breeding and management of pigs, sheep, goats, poultry. | rabbits and bees, and in horticulture. Field I experiments are carried out with artificial land other manures; modern and lahour--1 saving methods are demonstrated. Persons over 20 years of age in a district may j become honorary members of a club, and i experience lias shown bow valuable an asset this movement can be in eonneetion w : tb country schemes of ngricu'tnral education. in (Jrent Hrilain 26 counties have started clubs and the membership is about 2000. i In Sussex, calf clubs have been successful in baby beef production. In 1924, calves were bought at £lO or £ll a head, looked after for 12 months, entirely by the members (16 boys and girls of 12-17 years of age) and sold by public auction, making a net profit of over £l7 each. Past year the margin of profit was not so high, but I members seldom fail to make a profit on calves. j In Fa.-f I’-sex alone there are over 30 1 poultry clubs, and it is anticipated that tire pullets belonging to the members will produce upwards of 520.C00 eggs by March, 1927. In Middlesex, Clonee-ter and Hertford. for example, members of borhenl--1 tural clubs lime made ) rnlit- from lltcir small garden plots ranging front 10- to over £2. i Fqttally encouraging are the pro-pects of members of rabbit clubs- x'bo ate breeding animals for fur and wool, • At: Kingsdere. Haul-- the Calf and Pig Club runs Its own in-uranee society: also a live slock improvement society, uilit two pedigree bulls and a prd'gree bear. I In Fast, Fssex a scheme lias been ; started for chib members to entry out liehl tiials tinder the direction ol the I County Agricultural Staff. Half-acre plots will be selected and the informa- ! tion gained will be of value to farmers j throughout the comity. Similar experit incuts have been successfully conducted by clubs in Scotland, miller the guidance ' of the North of Scotland College of Agrii culture at Aberdeen. At Hayward's Heath, in Sussex, a feeding experiment with maize meal has been conducted by the Calf Club, at the request of the South .African Farmers' Union, i A contest in dairy cattle judging is j held annually at the Hairy Show in Lon--1 don, for the silver challenge clip, presented by The Fainter and Stockbreeder., and Agricultural (Jazotte, and lor silver ‘ and bronze medals presented by (lie Hritish Dairy Farmers' Association. | Tim dubs are not philanthropic, but educational, aril are run on sound commercial lines. They provide a healthy

recreational Lobby and make life happier and more interesting. The movement, so far, has not cost the country a penny, apart from the salary and expenses of the organiser, who is charged by the Ministry of Agriculture with its development; but the time has come when local authorities might usefully consider the cappointmont of additional staff to deal with this important branch of rural education. The Ministry is prepared to make a grant of two-thirds of the salary of the person so appointed to deal with the club work, and with the agricultural education extension work for boys and girls. To start a chib, a small initial capital is needed, and this has usually been loaned for a year without interest by the National Farmers’ Union or other organisation, or by groups of fanners or private individuals. At the end of the year, after the club show and sale, repayment has been made without fail. The success of the Young Farmers’ Club movement depends largely on each club having a good club leader, who understands young people and knows something about the stock which the members will keep. Once a club is started, it is hoped that the county organiser and his staff will assist it. In at least one county the agricultural organiser is a club loader. The Young Farmers’ Club movement develops initiative, personality, observation, and character; it gives boys and girls a lasting interest in country life, and under the guidance of keen club leaders, will go far to encourage them to take up agricultural pursuits and remain on the land. Wherever they may go the lessons which they learn as club members will make them useful citizens. CLIPPING THE HORSE.