THE FARM.

Colonist, Volume LVII, Issue 13745, 7 April 1915, Page 8

THE FARM.

AGIMCULTUIUL EDUCATION

It Viiis recently my good iort-une to got iniio contact with a farmer who had passed through an agricultural college, ■taking a dey-ec there (stat-es a contributor to the "Tirnaru Herald"). He was entirely wrapped up in his profession, and I envied him his wide and intimate knowledge of plant life in all its forms; his insight; into the science of manuring the soil and hi.» oxtensive acquaintance with all classes of stock. I don't think he is any the worse as a farmer- for knowing the inside of his profession as he docs, and certainly he views his work in a way that few farmers can, through lack of the training he lias received. It was also my pleasure some time ago to listen to a speech by Mr E. Newman, M.P., a practical farmer, who has become obsessed with the idea that farmers shou!I.] he taught how to apply science to their farm operations. He is very keen, in fact', on agricultural education, and was sent by the Government some years ago to inspect and report upon the H.awkesbury College in New South Wales. I notice that he has again quite recently been lecturing .on the same college, and among other things, he pointed out that much of the teaching was intensely practical.

Its management of horses, for instance did not stop short at feeding, cleaning, and the administration of simple medicines, but included the making of the greater part of the harness. So that- a man who had received instruction at Hawkesbury was able to effect repairs without the loss of time it would require to carry the article to the nearest town. The same thoroughness was adopted in the instruction in dairying; and in respect to pigs, the boys were not only taught to feed, "but to kill, and to cure the hacon. They were instructed in the use of steam, oil, gaa, and electricallydriven engines, taught carpentering and blacksmithing; and obtained a thorough knowledge of the working of the trades closely allied to farming. The Hawkesbury students demonstrated so well the practical value of the education they had received, after having taken to farming on their own account., that the farmere in the neighbourhood in which they had settled, instead of calling them book-le-amed farmers, as they were at first inclined to do : now sought their advice, particularly in regard to the best treatment for the animal ailments. As a consequence of such practical education the college had now to s-oma extent an international reputation, as was shown by the presence of studentsfrom different countries, including boys from one of the leading Boer families of South Africa. . In respect to the instruction'needed to make, a man a successful farmer, tho speaker ■expressed his desire that it should be .special and thorough: but, in addition, he believed' that agricultural education should be given in all high schools by experts who had a love for the work, ■particularly as a stimulation to Nat'jro-study and to give our youngpeople a higher appreciation of- country life.