FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

Taranaki Daily News, 31 May 1924, Page 6

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE

SCHEME T 0 TEACH BOYS. INSTRUCTION IN TARANAKI. VALUE OF PRACTICAL KNOWLEDGE A scheme whereby it was claimed the sons of farmers would be provided with a more thorough education in agriculture was outlined to the members of the Taranaki Agricultural Society yesterday by Mr. R. G. Ridling, senior instructor in agriculture under the Taranaki Education Board. Mr. Ridling said that many sons of farmers were not getting the education in agriculture they should obtain- The Education Board felt that they had some responsibility in the matter and the farmers were now expecting them to make some move. It was proposed, said Mr. Ridling, that boys from each district, as they came from the * primary schools, should undergo a course of free agricultural education, extending for a period of about three months during the time when work on the farms was slack. HOW THE SOCIETY COULD HELP. One day a week would be set aside for the study of the numerous subjects relating to agriculture, such as analysis of the soil, crop production, farm economics. etc. Farm economics was the most important for it was imperative that the farmer of the future should have a good grounding in that subject. Mr. Ridling considered that the scheme had tremendous possibilities if it was handled in the proper manner. The scheme called for the support of the A. and P. Society, and one of the best means in which they could assist was to circularise its members urging them to enrol their Sons. This would establish a feeling of confidence between farmers and agriculture instructors. At times this confidence was inclined to be on the wane in some cases-

Another way in which the association could greatly assist was by forming an educational committee, whose work would be to arrange lectures and demonstrations. Demonstrations could be arranged on the property of a good practical farmer, as it was an impossibility to learn agriculture in a laboratory. A good practical farmer was the best demonstrator that could .be got.

THE LEPPERTON FARM. The Lepperton farm was to be incorporated in the near future, and Mr. Ridling said he would like to see it run on the lines of an agricultural school. He was sure that the agriculture department would erect a building on the farm, in which lectures could be held. It would be a very important factor in the development of Taranaki if such a school were established. The speaker stressed the vital importance of the farm having a thoroughly competent demonstrator in addition to a capable farm manager. The Board of Education had now organised a scheme for agricultural instruction in the schools of certain centres, such as Inglewood, Stratford, and Hawera, and it was the opinion of the board that the present arrangement could be run in conjunction with the scheme which Mr. Ridling had just outlined. Each centre would be required to have a building and also apparatus. Mr. Ridling said he felt the board would be prepared to find the money for these necessities.

The speaker predicted that, if adopted, the scheme would spread and become one of the most important, and far-reaching factors in the agricultural education of New ZealandAt the conclusion of the address, Mr. W. G. Grant (president of the society) stated that at a previous meeting of the executive, a remit had been brought down recommending that the general committee give their support to Mr. Ridling’? scheme, which he had already placed before them, and that a circular be issued to all members asking them to enrol their sons. On the remit being placed before the committee, it was decided that the members should give their whole-heart-ed support to the establishment of the scheme.