DUNEDIN FARM SCHOOL.

Otago Witness, Issue 3611, 29 May 1923, Page 13

DUNEDIN FARM SCHOOL.

A N I .W Hi HEME. EDUCATION FOR TIIE FARMERBy It. B. Tkxxkmt. Ihe Winter School for Fanners, which j wn! o[k*i. on May 29 under the directorship j of Mr A. 1!. ( txka.ne, Government Biolo-j giM, js an innovation so far as Otago and i Moutidaia* is concerned. The idea is by no ! nteens t new one. us the older countries, ! pariuMjiar!;,- ih.» l nii«\l States and Canada, j h j vo a. - epted rtie principle of short courses j lor tanners as an integral part of their | r”.ril educational system. In die former: comilrv as many as 3000 farmers attended Ohio l_ niversity <‘oiiege for u short course of instr ; in one year, while at lowa Siate College of Agriculture, 2469 attended. During die students’ winter vacation at Ilawkesßury Agricrultural ('oiiege, New South Wales, a school for farmers has been most conducted for many years. Professor A. K. V. Richardson, superintended- of Agriculture for Victoria, who recently visited New Zealand, states: “The interest taken by the people of the United States in higher education ami particularly in agricultural education is shown in many ways '} he magnificent building's, the large number of students attending high schools, colleges, and universities per thousand of their population, am] the willingness of the people to tax themselves for the support of these institutions is evidence of their interest.’* Bach country controls its own educational system, and when one country lias initiated a successful movement it is soon tested and followed by other local communities. This is the position of the winter sohooi for farmers in New Zealand. For several years at liuakura and for two years at the Central Development Farm, Weraroa. courses of this kind have been conductod with great success. So popular have these schools become and so taxed has been the accommodation available that applicants tor enrolment have had to be refused. Eighty farmers attended the school which terminated at Weraroa recently, and many others failed to secure quarters at the farm. East week at Ashburton a farm school was held for Canterbury farmers, and Large numbers attended the different lecturer, the course proving an unqualified success. There 3eems to be no reason why the j Dunedin School for farmers should not prose equally successful, and from the number of farmers and their sons applying for enrolment it is anticipated that a large and representative gathering will result. It must, apepar evident in a country like New Zealand, where over SO per cent, of its wealth is derived from agricultural and pastoral pursuits, that an efficient system of agricultural education is an alrsolute essential to national progress. Money spent on agricultural education and development is a wise national investment, which is repaid to the country many times over in the form ot increased material prosperity. Fortunately much attention has been given to the development of rural education in the primary, secondary, and high schools. Lincoln College has provided a much-needed advanced course of agriculture, while the Ruakura Farm of Instruction has framed cadets in vocational work. Very little so far has been done to meet the needs of the man j on the land. The Otago Expansion Teague, the Depart- ! merit of Agriculture, and the Farmers’ Union have co-operated in carrying out a series of lectures ori agricultural subjects during the past few years. That these lectures have been appreciated is evidenced j by the satisfactory attendances at all j centres. winter one officer alone de- j livered 32 lectures to 100 C farmers. The | system, however, is only efficient tip to a ! point, the' weakness being that there is j little or no continuity of discussion on I important points of farm practice. Further, | the important consideration of eo-relat-ing the various phases of farming is not j possible under the isolated lecture system j and it is in this respect that the Farm Sohooi should be very valuable. With the winter school there is ample opportunity for farmers from widely scattered districts to compare notes. With the instructor's also in attendance, subjects of specific interest can be discussed outside the classroom. Much has been sjlid of the drift of boys from the country to the town. Farming is not only a business, but a mode of life, and if it is to 'oe successful in the latter it must afford the same comforts of life as are obtainable in other occupations. Any movement which brings farmers, and more especially farmers’ sons, together for social enjoyment is a valuable adjunct to rural life. It is pleasing to note the large enrolment of younger men, and it behoves the father to give his son the opportunities of pleasure and profit which such a farm school affords. 1 he main objects of the course may be summarised as follows: 1. To give the largest amount of information in practical agri< ulture and live stock management in the shortest possible time without undue crowding. 2. I o give this information at a season of the year when farm work is least pressing. 3. To awaken the young farmers to the many interesting facts and opportunities on the faint and generally to make them better farmers and more intelligent and useful citizens. The Technical College Board has placed the King Edward Technical College at the department’s disltosal for the week of the course. Day lectures will therefore be held in the college, and in the evenings, when a large attendance of the general public is anticipated, the lectures will be held in Burt Hall. the syllabus for the forthcoming school is so arranged as to provide instructive lectures in the mornings, outdoor demonstrations in the afternoons, and popular lectures. to which the local townspeople are invited, in the evenings. The scope of the syllabus is such as to provide subjects of interest to agricultural farmers, slock owners, and dairymen, and comprises:— Farm management, control of moisture in soil, manuring, irrigation, crop growing, pastures, insect pests and crop diseases, farm gardening, sheiter belts, slock feeding, veterinary

lectures and demonstrations, sheen breed- f ing and management, herd testing, agricul- ! rural education, and the economic situation, j The lecturers ire well-known authorities in '■ aie subjects with which they will deal, and) a course of practical instruction is assured. It is gratifying to note the excellenteo- | operation that has been forthcoming from j organisations interested i.i rural development. ■ Should mis school prove the success it pro- i miser to be, there is every possibility of ! similar school* being held in other centres j tn subsequent years.