THE VALUE OF RESEARCH.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 August 1932, Page 4

THE VALUE OF RESEARCH.

The report of the chairman of the committee which controls the Stratford ■Demonstration Farm, Mr. J. M. Smith, for the past year is interesting and illuminating. Mr. Smith’s qualifications as a judge of farming methods and results are beyond question, and- when he maintains that the Demonstration Farm has given value for more than it has cost it is a conclusion that can be accepted by all concerned. It is satisfactory to note that the results of the research work carried out there are at the disposal of every settler, and as many of the experiments have been in pasture management and improvement it is rather surprising that more interest has not been shown by other parts of the province in the work carried out. It is not surprising that the institution could not make ends mcM in la&t year’s finances. The excess of expenditure over receipts was not heavy, economies were introduced wherever possible, and the loss entailed was more than compensated for by the value of the experimental work. Apart from research work, the demonstration - area is administered much as would be expected of any well-organised farm, And the Demonstration Farm suffered like all other holdings from the drop in prices for butterfat and livestock'last year. The institution has now to face the withdrawal of the State grant towards the cost of maintenance, and it is pleasing to note that the committee has not been daunted by this circumstance but intends to “carry oh.” The value of the experimental work is undoubted, it is being carried out on economical lines, and the support of the farming community for such efforts may be sought with every confidence. Mopey devoted to well-organ-ised farm experiments is a sound investment for anyone whose livelihood is derived from the soil. ,