MORE INTEREST WANTED

Taranaki Daily News, 15 October 1934, Page 11

MORE INTEREST WANTED

VALUE OF DEMONSTRATION FARM. An appeal to all farmers to become members of the Stratford Demonstration Farm Society was made by Mr. J. M. Smith in speaking at the close of a field day at the farm yesterday afternoon. “I would, like every fanner in this district to join as a member of the society,” he said, “not because of the 2s 6d we will receive in subscription, but because once a farmer begins to take an interest in our work, he is likely to visit the farm and consider the results of our experiments. Later he will be able to apply his new knowledge to his own farm.” Further, Mr. Smith continued, membership of the society would entitle anyone to receive the annual reports and the statement of farm accounts which in themselves provided an interesting study to one similarly engaged. Recently it was found advisable to approach the Agricultural Department for financial assistance in connection with an experiment that was contemplated, blit the c6mtnittee received a setback when the comparatively small list of members was pointed to as an indication that farmers of the district lacked interest in the activities of the farm. Actually such was far from the real position, as the large attendance that afternoon and on other occasions when a field day was held showed. ’ \ ' “I would like to stress this point with the greatest emphasis,” said Mr. J. B. Richards in supporting Mr. Smith’s appeal. “The farm is your farm if you like to pay a small subscription of 2s 6d. He added that it was his firm conviction that tile operations of the farm had resulted in the saving of many hundreds of pounds to dairymen of Central Taranaki. Any problem could be brought before the committee, and, if of importance, would be investigated under practical conditions. Farmers should remember experiments were made under the personal supervision of Mr. Smith, a thoroughly qualified and experienced fields officer of the Agricultural Department. Before the meeting ended a number of visiting farmers became members.