WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3017, 10 January 1912, Page 17

WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

I am glad to be able to report some im-

Tho W ailicr.

provoment in the climatic conditions. The high winds have not been so persistent nor has the rain been so

heavy; but there has been little sun to brighten the spirits of these on the land. But “dogged does it,” and' everyone is endeavouring to got the season’s work through by getting to work whenever the weather allows. In such a season there would be little progress if notice were taken of stated hours, either with regard to shearing or harvesting, and some wore commandeering the “day of rest” last Sunday—in fact, on that day, having occasion to drive about 30 miles, I was surprised to note the number that wore taking advantage of the fine day by windrowing, cocking, and canting hay. As a Scot I was brought up to respect and keep the Sabbath, and a long experience under various conditions has taught me that one day of rest per week is a necessity, and that no curtailment should bo lightly entertained except in cases of necessity or mercy. Was the haymaking done last Sunday a work of that nature? Discussing the point with a very religious old settler, who knows intimately the condition of the people in the district referred to, we came to the conclusion that in some instances at least they were justified in preserving their hay. Taking last winter as an object-lesson, a large percentage of their cows suffered great hardship through want of fodder. If by working on Sunday this cruelty to animals ie averted, it was a case of mercy. The plea could be made that other methods or means could be adopted to provide fodder in place of what was being destroyed by the weather, which in some cases is correct; but in others the dairyman's financial position would prohibit him from replacing the last hay by purchase, even if it were likely to c>o available after such a season as this. However, this is not the page for discussing the dcs'cration of the Sabbath, and I will only add that there are always various aspects to all subjects on which wo can agree to differ.

At the beginning of another year it is usual for newispapar scribes to

Agricultural Education.

look back on the past, in the hope of finding a text.

and following this practice with regard to agricultural education, I think there is oa.u e for gratification over the improvement that has taken place during the last few years in this district, at well iais throughout tho Dominion. Ten years ago the few who were endeavouring to inculcate tho noces ity of teaching agriculture in schools, and initiating school gardens for that end, wore looked upon ad well-meaning faddists that were do'mg no harm, but at the same time little goed, and they received scant encouragement. - To-day it has become fashionable for leading farmers to take a.n interest in the cause, and vying with each other as to who can do most bo help agricultural education. Ten years ago tho one who proposed that more attention should be given to the preparation of the clip had no supnort. To-day a largo percentage of farmers have attended tho wool-class.ng clashes, and can bo hoard talking authoritatively about the “counts” their wcol will produce. Still, with all tho improvements effected, New Zealand Lags behind other countries, so that there is plenty of scope for all tho enthusiasm that can bo engendered among the well-to-do and somewhat leisured class ot farmers— not only farmers, but all who have an interest in tho future of this fair land. It is the fertility of our soil and our equable climate— although the climate lias been nothing to brag about of late that have beea the cause of our being behind less-favoured countries in agricultural education. If the Dominion is to keep m tho van as a producer, for which she has every natural facility- scientific methods must bo learned and adopted. Tho Wanganui Education Board <P serves every credit for what has already been accomplished, and it is to ha hoped it will bo loyally supported m an ambitious proposal put forward at the Foilding Technical School social the other week. Mr F. Pirani, the chairman of the Education Board, announced that the board has a proposal afoot to engage an agricultural expert a« director of the Feildmg Technical Sdhool. Two men at the Hawkesburv Agricultural Co.lege, how South Wales, had been singled out, and it was hoped to get one of them-who was one of the beet ext ents obtainable. The board bad a covetous eve on a piece of land in close touch with Feildmg on which to put up a building for an Agricultural College, which could also bo utilised in other nwpects. This would put Foilding far ahead of other districts In respect to the teaching of agrioalturo. Tho groat handicap on the board woe that the votes of money for doing tlie necessary work were rot large enough. But he was pleased at the way in which tho local bodies rendered si stance. This was the only educational d strict in New Zealand where every 'oral body contributed something towards the work. Mr Pirani said ho was positive that those who made

their preparations ahead would find that i the community would not bo lacking in | helping on tho work. I‘he appointing oi | an agricult-urifft as head of tno technical , schools in country towns like Fei_d.ingj * where agricultural products arc of chief interest, is a step in tho right direction. For : some timo Mr It. A. S. Browne nas been I in charge of th-e Eavr£r& Technical School. J It will bo of interest to maaiy in Otago | to mention that Mr Browns was former.y ; a school teacher in that district, and came ; up north some few years ago on joining ! the staff of tho Wanganui Education Board j as agricultural instructor in tho southern division. Last month Mr Biowne was as- i sedated with Mr Lethbridge judging tho : school gardens for the Feikiing A. and P. ; Association’s prizes, but the awards are not yet made public. Mr Lethbridge, who has , been one of the judges of school gardens from tho first, said of Mr Browne the other day : “ It was a pleasure to work with him. He had an abundance of energy. He was , up in the morning, and hiked to Kangiwiahia (40 miles) to judge the gardens, ana j noxit day he hiked tio Rewa and baCK by , noon. He was a useful man everywhere, j and it was a pity ho was taken from the | Feikiing district. Ae a judge of the gardens ho was batter than any- professional man, and by way of oxpe'ienco he grew i Kitatoe> for pleasure.” W.th regard to o proposal to engage an agricultural expert from Australia, it is a good sign, in that it shows that talent is beginning to be Appr*eciattß'cl. In tihe pa&t lias taken a number of experts from New Zealand,wiho could bo badly spared; but it seems ; now the tables are to bo turned, and pos- I sibly we may get back with interest what j has been lent.

Tho General Ormmitteo of the Feilding A. ami P. Association some FeiMing time ago sent out their Show. schedule for the annual show, which will be held on February 6 and 7. As formerly, donations have oomo in freely, and having a good credit balance and increasing membership, tlho association can afford to offer a most tempting prize-list. Feilding is already recognised os tiho fait lamb show in tho north, if not of the Dominion, and anpearancos indicate that it will shortly bo m the van also as regards breeding stock, surrounded as it is by stud farms, sheep, cattle, and horses. ANTIQUA OVIS.