THE COLONIST. Published Daily-(Mornings). Nelson, Monday, Feb. 10, 1908. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,

Colonist, Volume L, Issue 12162, 10 February 1908, Page 2

THE COLONIST. Published Daily-(Mornings). Nelson, Monday, Feb. 10, 1908. AGRICULTURAL EDUCATION,

In different parts of the dominion the experimental forms established by the Department of Agrieulturo are doing invaluable work in assisting the agricultural con..n*un.ty to gain a practical insight into the best methods of modern farming, and in keeping it abreast of tbo times generally. The benefits of such wo^k aro felt particularly in ihoSe districts *'n which large areas of lands, both Crown and privatoly owned, have been opened for close settlement, and have been taken up by selectors whose previous experience of their avocation^; has heen gained in other' districts where methods were followed which were inapplicable in their new surroundings, or who, perhaps, came from other walks of life, and had little or no practical experience on the land. Such people have been enabled to avoid many pitfalls that always await the inexperienced by studying the practice 1 ? pursued on tha State farms* find by taking advantage of the. practical demonstrations regularly conducted by such institutions. In the present Minister for Agriculture, tbe HonoumVle Robert McNab, we have a man who, thoroughly practical and progressive himself, aims at placing the agricultural community of New Zealand in as favourable circumstances as it lies in his power to : do\ to reach higher *c-VBis than it hag i yet doiie in the practice of the industries associated with the land. And to accomplish this purpose he has naturally turned to the experimental farm as a powerful educational factor. Mr McNab some time ago projected, and is now carrying out, at the Rualuu'a experimental farm, Waikato, an innovation providing'for the training of cadets, for whom accommodation is found at the farm. The total Co3t of the departure at Ruakura will be about £1250, providing accommodation for at least twelve students, and a suitable officer has been appointed as instructor. Speaking on the subject recently, the Minister Sai.- lie was continually being npproa&hed by farmers who desired that iheir sons should have an opportunity ot seeing farming of a high class order carried on, and there were also other young fellows who came to the Dominion from Home, and who desired to get an idea of farming conditions in New Zealand before they took up land on their own account. They would be able to cater for these classes of students. The cadets, he said, would bo able to gain a practical knowledge of the work, but although a few lectures would, of course, be given, the object aimed at was not the establishing of an agricultural school in the ordinary sense of tho word. He hopod to have similar provisions made at the other State farms as they got further forward. The Ruakura building would be ready for occupation/next summer. The progressive policy followed by Mr McNab in this direction will not, it is to be hoped, stop at Ruakura. The success of that experimental station has been ho great tbat it has surely demonstrated . the benefits similar institutions must confer upon other district?. There is a great held in this province* for au experimental farm run upon up-to date lines. Nelson satisfies all the requirements laid down by the*Govemment when establishing the farms originally, and it is difficult to see Jiow the claims of tha province could have been overlooked. With the vast amount of Crown lands now being thrown open for selection here, and the brisk exchange of properties which is going on, there is naturally an influx of agriculturists from elsewhere, and these would derive inestimable benefit from access to a well equipped State farm. Nelson also offers peculiar advantages as the location ot a training school for young farmers, on the same principle aa that initiated at Ruakura. Strong representations have before been "made to the Government on the subject by the various institutions interested in the advancement of tbe province, but so far without result. We hope, however, that tbose7wno took the matter up will bear in mind that Nelson never yet received consideration in these mat tars' from the Government without persistent agitation, aud that the cold response made to their claims will not deter tbem from further efforts to push them to a satisfactory conclusion.