WINTON EXPERIMENTAL AREA.

Southland Times, Issue 20669, 15 December 1928, Page 3

WINTON EXPERIMENTAL AREA.

To the Editor. Sir, —After nearly three weeks of silence Mr Marshall attempts to reply to my letter and in doing so is neither gentlemanly nor correct. I stated that only 89 ewes had been sold, but Mr Marshall flatly accuses me of making a false statement in this connection maintaining that more had been disposed of. I challenge him on thia point and promise to hand over a substantial donation to any worthy cause if he can prove my figures wrong, on condition that he will do the same if my figures are correct. If he has the backbone to back up his own statement made to the directors of the Southland A. and P. Association and also in his letter on Saturday last, he will accept. Mr Marshall asserts that I knew why he was not at a certain meeting. I deny his assertion as I had neither word nor letter on the subject. He also insinuates that I had confided in him regarding Mr Tennant's proposals and expressing anxiety at the results. I give this my emphatic denial as I never criticized Mr Tennant’s policy with Mr Marshall or anyone else nor was I “perturbed” over it, always believing his policy to be sound and along the right lines. I have already explained that although some of the ewes were disposed of (but are still under observation) doing so does not affect the experiment, the different breeds of rams having equal chances with the two tooth ewes. As to the other questions: the average farmer can tell Mr Marshall which ewes, young or old, have the best percentage of lambs and which do best. As to my not interesting myself in procuring rams for the experiment: let me say, that it was decided in committee to leave the matter in Mr Marshall's hands, so what was the use of me butting in, I am quite sure Mr Marshall would not have been pleased had I done so. However, I have been instrumental in obtaining other stock for the farm, besides making donations of stock myself which fact is wellknown to Mr Marshall. Again Mr Marshall tries to clear himself by stating that he was on the farm when no other members were present, can he prove that he made one inspection since Mr Tennant’s scheme came into force? There is one part of Mr Marshall’s letter that I entirely agree with, that is when he says that interest in the farm was languishing. That was perfectly true and the committee was well aware of it, and it was to revive interest and carry out valueable experiments, which would be of benefit to Southland farmers, that the committee, unanimously decided to adopt Mr Tennant’s suggestions. Under the new policy there has been a decided improvement as anyone can prove by a visit to the farm. Several experiments, some entirely new to the south are under way and in a short time will not only be a credit to the district but an asset to the whole of Southland notwithstanding Mr Marshall’s criticism. I hope that the directors of the Southland A. and P. Association will find it convenient to visit the farm at an early date and see for’themselves the work that is being carried out. In conclusion let me say that as an honourable member of committee why did Mr Marshall not criticize the farm management in meeting instead of doing so through the public Press for his own aggrandisement? —I am, etc., D. H. McLEAN, Chairman, Winton Experimental Farm.