HELPING THE SETTLER.

Taranaki Daily News, 16 October 1930, Page 8

HELPING THE SETTLER.

At one time departmental advice and instructions were held to be too theoretic and to assume that on the ordinary farm there existed conditions, that could only apply to a State institution or to properties where expenditure did not require the inost careful watch. The expert was regarded as the man who might know all about the scientific aspect of husbandry, but who know little of its practical working, particularly by those settlers who had little financial resource. If that attitude towards the Agricultural Department were ever justified it cannot be said of the advice that it gives today. Yesterday the Taranaki Daily News published some hints on calf-rear-ing prepared by the Hawera representative of the Live Stock Division of the department for the assistance, primarily, of competitors in the boys’ and girls’ agricultural clubs. The most practical of farmers* can find no trace of impracticability in those instructions. They give concisely, and with just sufficient reason for each suggestion made, guidance in the rearing of young dairy stock, that can be made of service to all whose experience in that work has been limited or unsatisfatcroy. It goes without saying, that in the rearing of sound herds lies the future of the dairy industry. Without them all that skill in manufacture or wisdom in marketing can do will be of small avail. The existence of tnu agricultural clubs’ 'competitions in calfrearing is strong evidence that the importance of well cared for dairy stack is recognised. Nevertheless there is room for authoritative guidance and the inculcation of certain methods that are essential to success. These may be found in the department’s hints to young breeders, couched in the simplest language and applicable to almost any tarrn, however undeveloped. The issue of such information should prove of real assistance to tile farmer of the future, always provided he is willing to absorb and act upon the advise he has been given. A’- /’" ■/" ' ‘