DOMINION AGRICULTURE

Poverty Bay Herald, Volume LV, Issue 16914, 1 April 1929, Page 2

DOMINION AGRICULTURE

PRAISE FOR RESULTS VISITOR FROM QUEENSLAND "It has been a revelation to mo to not how much New Zealand farmers take off tlieir land and I consider New Zealand methods of farming compare favorably with those in any other part of the world," said Mr. Ernest Baynes, president of the Royal National Agricultural Association of Queensland, and a member of the Commonwealth Board of Trade, who is visiting Auckland. Mr. Baynes has spent three months in the North and South Islands, and has carefully inspected the Dominion's methods of agriculture. Mr. Baynes said that at one time he went in extensively for the breeding of horses, sheep and other stock, both in Queensland and in New South Wales. While in the Dominion he had interested himself particularly in Clydesdale horses. This breed was coming into more favor in Queensland and while there wero many fine stallions there was a shortage of mares. He had obtained an option on some fine New Zealand Clydesdale mares, and it was possible than arrangements would be completed for their shipment to Queensland.

AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION. The visitor is surprised that more is not done in New Zealand in the way of the agricultural education of the young. Education in this direction had progressed wonderfully in Queensland, and there were several fine agricultural high schools in the State. In this matter his association gave all the assistance it could, aiming to ot the higliesi educational value to the intending farmer and the man already on the land. "We are in close touch with the agricultural high schools," Mr. Baynes said. "The biggest' of these is at Gatton, 70 miles from Brisbane, and when shows are held every facility is placed at the disposal of the boys to visit them. They are detailed to the various livestock sections and act as stewards and after awards are made they are encouraged to question the judges concerning tho rerisons for their decisions. We feel it is. a fine thing to show those hoys the ihest stock we have, for they can tin hi form their own opinions of the best class of stock (to deai with."

j In addition, the association conducted young judges' competitions, pupils of tho high schools being the judges. Their papers were- examined bv tho association's judges. "The inauguration of the agricultural high school system is one of the finest things we have achieved," Mr. Baynes added. '"Tho benefits are already being felt. In. addition to fulltime tuition w© have what is known as short-time courses, in which young men may take up a course during" tin. slack season.

"I would like to remove the impression, apparently current in New Zealand, (hut Queensland is a dry and I droughty State," Hr. Baynes said. "In what id known as the granite belt, a large area in C'ie south of tho State at an altitude of 3COoft., all manner of stone fruits are grown, in addition to pears and apples." This area had a rainfall of from 35in. to 40in., while thero was a. plentiful yearly rainfall on the 1600 miles of coastal land from the border to Cairns. Mr. Baynes is making his first visit

to tlu> Dominion, ant! lie lias been tielighted with everything ho has seen. Discussing the Wheat areas, particularly of Canterbury, be said he was inclined to think that many of them would be better utilised as slieep country. Cheaper and better wheat was grown in the Riverina and in Western Australia: and this could bo imported in larger quantities.—Auckland Herald.