Wairangi Experimental Farm.

Waikato Argus, Volume XXIV, Issue 3726, 9 March 1908, Page 2

Wairangi Experimental Farm.

AN INTERESTING VISIT. On Saturday last, at the invitation of the officers of the Agricultural Department, a number of members of the Auckland Fruitgrowers' Association and others interested in viticulture and fruit growing from Waikato and Auckland, paid a visit to the Government experimential station at Wairangi. It had been anticipated that Sir J. G. Ward would have been present during the day, but other arrangements made it necessary for him to pay a hurried visit early in thb morning, and return to Papakura before the majority of the guests arrived. The Ministerial party reached Wairangi by special train 'at ten o'clock, and they were met by the Departmental officials, of whom the following were present during the day: Mr J. D. Ritchie, Secretary for Agriculture; Mr E. Clifton, chief inspector of Stock, and Director of Experimental stations; Prof.T. W. Kirk, biologist; Mr W. E. Boucher, pomologist, and horticulturist in charge of the North Island; Signor R. Bragato, viticulturist; Mr I. Hopkins, apiarist; Mr W. Rawson, manager of the Wairangi station; Mr W. Barrett, station horticulturist and Mr Jas. Andrew, station viticulturist. The following officers from the Ruakura experimnetal farm were also present during the day, viz: Messrs W. Dibble, manager, K. Cussen, poultry manager, Mr Green, horticulturist; Evans, sheep manager; and Miss Livesey, apiarist. Messrs J. Duncan and Jno. Kerr of the Stock Department were also on the ground. After the Ministerial party had inspected the grounds they were entertained at lunch, at the conclusion of which Sir J. G. Ward addressed those present. He said with regard to the great experiment being carried out at Wairangi he felt justified in stating that a few years ago misgivings and doubts existed, and indeed there were strong undercurrents of opposition to the work being clone by Mr Clifton. There was an impression that no good results were going to come of it; but any such ideas as might have been justfiable then, must be completely removed now, owing to the visible results of what had been done. Those who were formerly sceptical as to the Government being able to grow fruit at Wairangi, now held the opinion that the class of land being used there could be brought into profitable use, both to the individual and the country, if the splendid educational advantages to be found at Wairangi were availed of elsewhere in the Dominion. Speaking of the work done, Sir Joseph said that the station comprised an area of 3000 acres. The station was established in 1886 by the then existing Forestry Department to demonstrate the value of poor soil in the production of wattle bark for tanning, the area taken up being 1800 acres. After 400 acres had been planted the Forestry Department ceased operations, and in 1892 the Department of Agriculture assumed control and extended the plantation to 1500 acres, from which the annual production of bark under normal labour conditions may be estimated at 150 to 200 tons, saleable in Auckland at £7 per ton. As it was found that the bark when in stick form or in bundles, was unsuited for the local market, a wattle grinding mill was erected, and there the harvest from this plantation is prepared, as well as the bark of those of the settlers who may desire to dispose of it in its most acceptable form. The area of wattle plantations at Wairangi and at Papatoitoi is about 4000 acres. The further development has been in the direction of orchards and vineyard. After the property came under the direction of the Department of Agriculture a small orchard and a few grape vines were planted, which grew well and produced excellent fruit and grapes. It then became obvious that Wairangi land, although in popular acceptance, a synonym for utter worthlessness, could at least produce good fruit and grapes, so a larger orchard, and four acres of grape vines were planted, and as these matured good crops were obtained. With this before the Department, the late Minister for Agriculture, the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, was approached, and it was suggested that two adjoining blocks, comprising 1200 acres should be acquired for the purpose of forming a community of fruit farmers. This was approved, and the lands were purchased, 800 acres at 12s Gd an acre, and 400 acres at 10s 6d per acre. As the outcome of what had been done at the station similar land in the vicinity could not now be obtained under £3 to £3 10s per acre, and he thought this fac should go to the credit of the State epxerimental farm, as without their object lesson such good results would not have been attained. The plan for creating this community was as follows, the land is being surveyed into farms of from 30 to 40 acres, of these about one half of each will be planted in fruit trees including a small vineyard, the other half will be devoted to grazing or other agriculture purposes. The land will be cleared, ploughed, planted and continued in cultivation until the trees become productive. These farms will then be disposed of under such conditions as may be decided on. Six such farms are already planted in fruit trees, aggregating some 170 acres of orchards. As the provision of shelter is an essential in connection with orchard planting, some miles of belts consisting of many varieties of trees have been set out, afording the visitor the opportunity of selecting the trees most suitable for that purpose, and for his special requirements. The nursery where all the trees for the orchards and the shelter belts are raised, is always interesting and instructive. The propogating house at the station has fulfilled the useful purpose of preparing many of the exhibits at the various agriculture shows, and is an extension of the functions of an experimental station, which has proved most popular at these gatherings. In connection with other rural interests and associated with the agricultural and pastoral associations of Auckland and the Waikato, a series of demonstrations of the value of top dressing of grass lands, extending over a period of three years,has now been completed, the results being accepted by those societies and by their representatives, as exceedingly interesting and valuable experimental work has been undertaken to demonstrate that cereals, especially oats, can be successfully produced on these disparaged soils, and is as useful and convincing, as the already mentioned top-dressing tests. Continuing the description of the experimental work, Sir Joseph said a large number ol varieties of various classes of fruit have been propogated, and planted with the object of demonstrating the value of each variety for special or general purposes as for table use, for canning or for export. In connection with this undertaking, a cannery will be erected to deal with the fruit in the same manner, as there is already at the station, a wine making plant and cellar. A further development applying equally to the other experimental farms at Ruakura, Momahaki and Weraroa, is the association with them of the education and training of those whose lives are to be devoted to agriculture pursuits. Accommodation will be provided at these stations for a number of young men who would receive practical training on the farm, and technical education from the professional and expert officers of the Department. This is but the natural complement of the experimental station, and the Minister for Agriculture now had the matter in hand. The original land had been selected by Professor Kirk and had been for a considerable time under Mr Clifton, as director of experimental farms. He thought the evidences seen that day were very complimentary to the latter. In connection with the viticultural portion of the farm, the gentleman originally responsible for it was Mr Palmer, pomologist, who did excellent work, Then came Signor Bragato who was alßodoitig excellent wort Mr Bwitb,.

er and other officers of the Department were also referred to in eulogistic terms. They were all actuated by an honest desire to do their best for the country, and were doing most valuablo work for-the farmers—particularly for the small ones—who could go to Wairangi and see the work being done there. Sir Joseph was persuaded that the whole country was behind the Agricultural Department in this work, and aa Minister for Finance ho waH anxious in every way to help and further the work, and to enable young men to go there and acquire Information so neeesHary to them. The latter would get a general knowledge in farming there, that if Home of their forefathers could have had tin: opportunity of getting would have nuved them no end of cost and have produced valuable returns. All classes should join with the Government—and the Agricultural Department -in helping on the great work, in letting people come on to lands which had heen thought poor and have it practically demonstrated to them that they could be made productive. After complimenting Mr Ritchie on his work Sir Joseph said the producing industries of the country were the concern of all, and they all very much depended on the aggregate results. They should do everything they could in the direction of pushing on land settlement and particularly in the utilising of poor land. Later on the system of legislation which called for the expansion and utilisation of experimental farms must be improved, and they must see that these organisations were made useful in every possible way. It was intended to arrange for special railway fares to enable farmers to visit these stations and see the work being done there; but he hoped to be able to go even further, and be able to arrange for free visits to these farms. Sir Joseph's remarks were received with applause, and after thanking the officers for their courtesy, the party left by special train for Papakura. The other visitors arrived from Auckland and Waikato, and they were received by the Departmental officers. After the wine had been freely sampled, portions of the estate were visited, under the direction of the various officers, before lunch, as much opportunity being taken of the time, as very welcome rain was threatening. In the cellar a very striking display of the wines had been arranged, and, in addition, the various kinds of grapes grown on the station were displayed, each being named and described as whether suitable for wine making or table use. There was also a fine exhibit of apples, peaches, and pears, all the fruit bearing testimony to the suitability of the soil for their production. This was by no means the least instructive portion of the estate, and many took the opportunity of having the qualities and virtues of the various kinds described, with the object of planting those which seemed to them most suitable.

At half-past twelve the company, numbering over 200, sat down to an excellent lunch provided by Mr King, of the Strand Cafe, Auckland, and supervised by Mr C. Robinson, of Bellamy's. Among those present were the Hon. T. Thompson, M.L.A., Messrs J. Bollard, F. Lawry, and H. J. Greenslade, M.P.'s, J. S. Bond, Mayor of Hamilton, W. Johns, president of the Fruitgrowers' Association, Allen Bell, president Waikato Winter Show Association, and representative farmers and fruitgrowers from all portions of the province. After the toast of "The King" had been honoured, Mr Ritchie expressed his regret that Sir Joseph Ward had not been able to stay and meet them. On behalf of the Department he welcomed them to the station, and said he hoped the weather would allow them to see the work that was being done. After his inspection, the Prime Minister had expressed his high appreciation of what had been, and was being, done. The officers of the station would be glad to see visitors at any time, when they would have more time at their disposal. Hon T. Thompson said unfortunately he belonged to a branch of the Legislature which had no control of the purse, and he was of no use to the Department in furthering their interests in that direction. All who had seen the farm could arrive at but one conclusion, and that was that the experiment was one of great benefit to the producers of the Dominion. He would always do anything in his power to support the in the good work they were carrying on. It was fully appreciated, and under such a good head as Mr Ritchie he hoped it would long continue.

Mr J. Bollard said Parliament refused the grants asked for by the Agricultural Department. He had always taken the greatest interest in agricultural and horticultural matters, and had done all he could both in and out of Parliament to back up the Department. He had been brought up on a farm, and had been three years at the Royal Albert School of Agriculture, the finest school in the United Kingdom, and he realised that farmers must learn the value of science in agriculture. This was not properly understood yet; if it had been it would have saved much money in the past. The Department was doing good work at the farm, which he had visited periodically, but it did not go far enough in demonstrating the proper way to manage farms, and in providing a place where young men could learn the science of agriculture. Some fruitgrowers did not approve of the Government planting extensive orchards, but he pointed out that the Government would not come into competition with them, as these orchards would be cut up into small plots, when they had reached a payable stage, and a canning factory had been erected, and they would be available for the public to take up. It would be a great thing if they could keep in the country the thousansd'of pounds sterling annually sent out of it for canned fruits. In regard to the impression that some five or six acres of vines had been rooted out by order of the Minister for Agriculture, he thought sufficient explanation had not been forthcoming. He had made some enquiries in to the matter and found that only two acres had been taken out, and this was done so as to replant the area with vines on phylloxera-proof stocks. Some had thought the area might have been leased, but as it was in the centre of the vinery, it was not practicable to do this. The Department was planting vines on each of the small sections that will bo leased, and when the vines are at the proper stage they will be leased to private individuals. The Department had no desire to come into competition with private growers. Their object was to demonstrate what could be done in growing fruit under proper conditions. Mr Bollard urged the establishment of agricultural schools near the large centres, where they would be available for the young men of the city. Lincoln College was doing a good work for the South Island, but it was not suitable for this province, where climatic and other conditions were so different. If the Minister would only ask, and the officers of the Department were sympathetic, he thought Parliament would make a grant for a school near Auckland. He congratulated the Department on the good work they were doing, and although he was an Opposition member, he was not one of those who eould see no good in any of their actions. He was always ready to give them credit when they were right, and would always support their work in the Department of Agriculture. Mr F. Lawry expressed regret that they had not heard the Prime Minister's remarks. It was the first time Sir Joseph had visited the station, and his sentiments in regard to it were similar to those expressed by Mr Bollard. He thought the proposal to carry visitors to the farm free would be received with general satisfaction. The work of the station could not be reckoned up in £.s.d. They could not expect it to be a financial success, but the indirect advantages were innumerable, as the work done there allowed others to copy the successes attained, and avoid the failures. All must rejoice at the success of the station when they compare it with the surrounding country. Notwith-

standing Mr Bollard's explanation, he still thought it a mistake to root out the grapes, and if it were not so at Wairangi, it certainly was at Napier. He congratulated Mr Clifton on having attained his present position, which was the reward of personal merit, and paid a high compliment to his administration of the Stock Department, in which, while carrying out his duties conscientiously and with rigid impartiality, he had never come into coniflct with any of the stock-breeders in the country. He referred to the great work being done by Signor Bragato; but though many may not see eye to eye with him, any practical man must acknowledge that the end accomplished justified the means. He did notjeare two straws whether Mr Isitt believed in the Signor or not, the member for Parnell did, and would do all in his power to assist agriculture, as he believed it to be the backbone and mainstay of the country. He congratulated the Government on the appointment of Mr Rawson as manager of the station, and under him the farm would go on by leaps and bounds, and soon become the finest experimental station in Australasia. Mr H. J. Greenslade thought those who visited the station periodically must be struck with the great progress being made, and which demonstrated that thousands of acres could be successfully used if science were brought to bear on them. Wairangi was not only a vineyard, but a nursery, and many useful experiments, had been carried out there. He believed in the necessity for agricultural colleges, as the successful farmer of the future must combine agriculture with science. He did not agree with Mr Bollard that these colleges should be near the large centres. The site for the Auckland province was at Ruakura. It was the duty of the Government to get the people to visit these stations, and they should be so situated that farmers could do this. No one could fail to realise the great progress that was being made in science as applied to agriculture, and he was glad to be present and express his satisfaction at the good work being done by the Department. The rain which had been falling heavily during luncheon having eased off, the visitors spent the time prior to the trains leaving in further inspecting the grounds. Before the Auckland train left Mr W. Johns thanked the Department and the officials for the courtesy extended, and the beneficial lessons afforded by the visit. In addition to the many of the branches of work undertaken by the Department of Agriculture at the Wairangi Experimental Station, Mr I. Hopkins, Government Apiarist, is now establishing a small apiary there, which will be used as a rearing colony for Italian queens. Mr Hopkins does not feel that the majority of these bees at the present time are of a satisfactory standard, and he hopes in a short time to be able to supply much superior stock from this colony.