FARM SCHOOL.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 17032, 4 May 1923, Page 1

FARM SCHOOL.

FIRST IN NEW ZEALAND. START AT ST ANDREW’S COLLEGE. The Agricultural Department of St Andrew’s College is taking a leaf from the book of colleges in Canada, United States an-d other countries in deeming to introduce a farm school to Canterbury. This will be the first of its kind in the Dominion, and will start on Monday at 9.3 U a.m. The idea will commend itself particularly to the farming community, as the lectures to be given over the period of six days will be comprehensive and valuable. The idea, of the farm school was first brought up in the college magazine, when the following appeared:— '* it is intended that 1925 will mark the beginning of a new feature of the activities of St Andrew’s College. In Canterbury there is a great .demand by farmers lor scientific information on the various aspects of agricultural en terprise. In order to cater for farmers in this respect, the Agricultural Department of the bchool is organising a Farm School. The school will extend over a period of six days—Monday to Saturday—during which time lectures will be delivered on important aspects of farming, such as manures, cultivation, pastures, laim crops, and farm stock. The organiser, Mr N. P. Neal, has been very fortunate indeed insecuring as lecturers the most competent authorities in New Zealand on the above subjects. Mr 11. E. Alexander, Director, Mr M. J. Scott, Chemist, of the Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and Mr J.. Stafford, of the veterinary staff of the New Zealand Department of Agriculture, have promised assistance in the conduct of this farm course. The course will be held at this college, but members attending will be required to make their own arrangements as regards accommodation. I his will be the first time that anything of this kind has been attempted in Canterbury, and it is hoped that the farming community generally will avail itself ot this unique opportunity of gaining some valuable agricultural information. The country friends of this school total a very large number; some are the parents of present boys, and some are ‘ old boys.’ We trust that parents and old boys alike will come along and bring with them their farmer friends.” Mr Neal said to-day that already there had been thirty enrolments, which was very satisfactory. The work would be purely an extension of the agricultural department’s activities of the college. The Department of Agriculture had conducted classes on the same lines in the North Island, and the week after the school at St Andrew’s College closed the Department would run. one at Ashburton.