FARMERS OF THE FUTURE.

Wanganui Chronicle, Issue 12856, 29 October 1912, Page 7

FARMERS OF THE FUTURE.

GATHERING AT MARTON SCHOOL FARM. VISIT OF FARMERS' UNION PRESIDENT. TRIBUTE 10 WANGANUI BOARD OF EDUCATION. ADVANCE OF SCIENTIFIC FARMING. (From our Travelling Reporter.) MARTON, Oct. 28. The boys attending the Marion School farm were favoured with glorious weather to-day for operations on the farm, which comprises about five acres, at Marton Junction, and was a, distinct change to the wretched (Mondays so usual lately. "While tlie boys were engaged in ploughing and other work, the farm was visited by Mr J. GWilson, president of the New Zealand Farmers' Union. Mr Grant, agricultural instructor, introduced Mr Wilson to the lads, and in doing so he said that not only were the scholars indebted to the distinguished visitor for the use of the ground, which they were cultivating and experimenting on, but he had also most generously allowed them the use- of tho farm implements and the horses. Mr. Wilson had a long experience in the most honourable of professions, namely, farming, ,and he (Mr Grant) was quite sure that the scholars would listen with interest and attention to the address Mr Wilson intended to give them.

Mr prefaced his remarks by expressing the opinion that the boys were exceedingly fortunate in being attached to the schools of the Wanganui Board of Education, because that Board was taking a more active interest in agricultural education, than -any other Board in the Dominion. They were spending money and time in pursuing a vigorous course of instruction, and as part of that scheme, the Board had provided three excellent instructors for tho southern part of the district, with a view to advancing thel scientific part of farming. Mr Br-aik, the chief inspector, was the son of a farmer and a great enthusiast; likewise Mr Grant. Mr Banner was new to the Dominion, but he was a, man of considerable capacity. Mr Wilson then said that it was a great pleasure for him to attend the farm school, and also to show to them that the Farmers' Union of Xew Zealand, which he represented that day, also took a deep and active interest in the agricultural education of to-day, which was. going to have a marked effect upon the farming of to-morrow; in other words, the boys attending the school farm werel learning the scientific side of farming, and they would learn the why and the wherefore, which would materially assist in the successful farm operations of the future.

The speaker than spoke to the boys of the great advantage of scientific farming, and tho various phases were lucidly placed before the "school in a most interesting manner. The history of agriculture was traced, and the speaker emphasised the great development which has' taken place during the latter part of the last century, ias the result of investigation and research. Sheep farming, dairy farming, fruit farming, the great advance made in agricultural implements (particularly the reaper and binder), were ;all briefly touched upon, and in the course of his remarks Mr Wilson, expressed the opinion that no matter how much the -practical farmer owes to science— including the work of the inventor, the biologist, the botanist, the chemist, the traveller, the seed grower, etc. —he never seems to think about it, nor does he realise the great achievemejits made in tho world of agriculture, because of the application of science. In conclusion he urged the boj-s to make tho best use of their opportunities in getting hold of the scientific r>art of agriculture.

Mr Grant, on behalf of the school and the Board -of Education, thnnked Mr Wilson for his interesting address, and he referred briefly to the rapid progress agricultural education, was making and the practical results being achieved.

Three cheers were given for Mr Wilson, and in thanking the boys for the compliment, he expressed the hope that before long the school building would have to be enlarged.