AGRICULTURE AND THE STATE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2370, 3 August 1899, Page 4

AGRICULTURE AND THE STATE.

Commercial competition is so keen in every department of human industry nowadays that those who hope to win in the race for life while holding fast to obsolete methods will find themselves left behind. Not only does this appty to manufacturers generally, but also to the work of the farmer. Recognising this, those countries that are striving hardest for the commercial lead train the sons of tlie soil for their important work just as carefully as they do the captains of industry in other walks of life. Experimental farms and agricultural colleges are part of the stock-in-trade of every up-to-date country, and such countries a? neglect these important adjuncts to the agricultural industry will suffer speedily from agricultural depression, no matte*? how well-favoured by Nature in the matter of soil and climate. In a young country such as ours, while as yeL the pristine -fertility of the soil remains unexhausted, the average farme: may jog along comfortably enough for a time, but in the end, rest assured, swift retribution will follow bad farming. The soil is like the farmer's bank account, and in accordance with the balance between receipts and expenditure, so will his prosperity continue. Every bushel of grain and every pound of roots grown upon the farm represent sc much drawn out of the bank reserve, in the shape lof soil fertility or plant food. Clearly, the proce&s of drawing upon the bank account cannot go on indefinitely, and unless a corresponding amount is paid in nothing but bankruptcy can be looked for. Yet the paying in of this corresponding amount is precisely what a great many farmers are not doing, because of their want of scientific training in the relation between plant food and soil fertility. New Zealand has been splendidly endowed by Nature in soil and climate, but some of tlie best soils that have been under cultivation for a number of years are showing signs of rapid deterioration. Exhausted soils are generally allowed to recuperate by either laying them down in grass for a few "years or letting them lie fallow for a year. By either method in soluble elements of plant food undergo certain changes which liberate them for the use of the succeeding crop, but clearly such a process is making a -direct draw upon the reserve of soil fertility without doing anything to replace what is taken out. Were the individual farmer able to make a rough analysis of his soil, he would soon find whtit essential elements were becoming exhausted, and would be in a better position for replacing them accordingly. This is one important matter that would be taught in an agricultural college —i& taught as a matter of fact at Lincoln College, in Canterbury, but that institution, unfortunately, does not reach all parts of the colony. Practical soil analysis might quite well be taught, however, in the public schools in agricultural districts, and thus bring the required knowledge within reach of the people most in need of it. But over and above that, experimental farms and associated agricultural colleges are required if we are to keep abreast of the times in matters agricultural. At least one experimental farm, with experimental school attached, is needed for each island. Many people are under the impression that the' Levin State Farm is, an experimental, or model State farm, where students of agriculture may learn Lhe best up-to-date methods of farming, dairying, etc., but it now transpires that such is not the case. The Levin State Farm is merely a dumping ground for the unemployed, and where men unaccustomed to hard toil may become inured to manual labour, in order to take their place in the ranks of casual hibour. Although that is the li.'-c to which the Stale farm is being put, the general public have held quite a different opinion. Parliament would hardly have voted public money for such an object l.ad the real purpose of the State farm been disclof-ed. Jf many have Iw'd cause to bless the sheltering hiven affoicied them at the Levin State Farm in the past, as indicated by the secretary of the Deflaxtmeiit of

Labour, the time has now arrived when a State farm of quite a different type ought to be set up. It is the duty of the State to afford equality of opportunity to those who follow agricultural pursuits with those" who follow trades or professions. At a model farm students would be taught both the science and practice of agriculture. . Those who actually participate in the work of tilling the soil, applying the manure, sowing the seed, and gathering the crop will have a better appreciation of the true significance of each separate operation than any amount of theory will give. Students who have had, a thorough practical training at an experimental farm will be better fitted for conducting experiments with manure, etc., on their own farms in after life, and after all this is one of the most important functions of the farmer, for different classes of soil require different treatment. Drainage, cultivation, manuring, and. all the essential principles of- successful agriculture would- be taught and practically demonstrated on a model State farm. Not only is it a duty the farmer owes to himself to maintain and increase the fertility of the soil on his farm, but a duty to the State as a worthy citizen to leave a good reserve of fertility for the benefit erf posterity. It will pay to manure freely and generally employ a system of high cultivation. All experience proves that the farmer who makes two blades of grass grow where only one grew before is a benefactor of his race. He is at the same time a benefactor on his- own behalf, for it pays much better to grow 50 bushels of wheat to tho acre than 25 bushels, from whatever standpoint the matter is viewed. The history of agriculture in New Zealand discloses the fact that the land has been occupied by all sorts and conditions of men, and that farming has therefore ]*een conducted on the reverse of either practical or scientific principles. This false start tho Stote can rectify in the future by setting up one or more thoroughly equipped modei experimental farms, where agriculture, dairying, etc., may be taught in accordance with the best known principles.