FARM METHODS

Waipa Post, Volume XXIV, Issue 1607, 14 February 1925, Page 6

FARM METHODS

AND AN OFFICIAL REJOINDER,

Officials of the Department of Agriculture are by no means satisfied with the relevancy or fairness of the criticism of New Zealand’s farming methods indulged in by Mr Breakwell, principal of the Yanco (N.S.W.) Agricultural High School, on his return to Sydney. Mr Breakwell’s criticism, that cropping was not satisfactorily carried out, and that there was a lack of co-op-eration between the farmer and the Agricultural Department, especially in the matter of experimental plots, led to a rejoinder from a senior officer of the Department. “Mr Breakwell,” he said, “is reported to have been in the farming districts of the North Island. The North Island is not quoted for cropping, the farming practised being almost entirely the grass-farming type. The 'South Island is the part of New Zealand where cropping is much to the fore. Had he visited that island he would have found much of interest and also seen that agriculture is carried out on the most modern lines. At least he would have learnt that it was carried out on lines that resulted in crop yield averages far in excess of those obtained in New South Wales. “ So far as co-operation between the ordinary farmer and the Department of Agriculture., in the matter of experimental plots, is concerned, much has been accomplished, but except in cereal and root-crop growing the experimental plot system is not altogether satisfactory owing to the tenure of the ground not always being secure enough, due, of course, mainly to the farms changing hands. The co-oper-ative experimental plot has, in recent years, been replaced by (1) small experimental or demonstration areas in selected districts, the results obtained being applicable to considerable areas of the surrounding country; and (2) by the appointment of travelling instructors in agriculture. Further than this,, the co-operative experimental plot has in some districts been replaced by farmers’ field competitions, particularly in regard to the growing of fodder crops, and with regard to that type of co-operative work that may be described as crop demonstration work. In the South Island, that is, in the cropping belt, co-operative experimentation is still largely undertaken, and on the most modern and improved lines. The main point of interest in North Island agriculture is the skilful manipulation and utilisation of grass land. New Zealand grass land farming is on a plane far above that of other countries, and in top-dressing, pasture, maintenance, and pasture renewal New Zealand offers a type of farming that could well be copied in many other parts of the world.” This view was also expressed quite recently by the agricultural delegation from Wisconsin University that visited the Dominion.