H—29

Linseed and Linen-flax. —In North Canterbury linseed crops suffered on account of dry weather, but further south crops were generally good. Linen-flax growing is now confined to one district in South Canterbury and one in Southland and from both these areas high yielding crops of fairly good quality were obtained. Extension Services The Division still has vacancies for instructional and research staff which require filling before it can provide a full extension service to the farming community. The recruitment of sufficient men suitably trained in the science and practice of farming has long been a difficulty for the Division, but the training and recruitment plans outlined in last year's report should eventually supply the staff required. Unfortunately, last year no suitable applicants offered themselves for the bursaries in agricultural science leading to service in the Extension Division. During the year close attention has been paid to improving the efficiency of extension officers, and short courses have been arranged for selected officers for special instruction in farm machinery, drainage, soil testing, plant diseases, seed certification, and experimental work. With increased mechanization of tillage, drainage, and harvesting operations the need has arisen for more Instructors with special knowledge in these fields, and courses for Farm Machinery Instructors have been arranged with Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln, and in drainage with Massey College. The Division's plans for widening extension work for hill country and other marginal-land improvement have been advanced and Instructors have been giving increased attention to hill-country top-dressing, oversowing of clovers, and grazingmanagement methods. Instructors have nearly completed a broad survey of the potential increases in carrying-capacity in the North Island which might be expected from the general adoption of proved land-improvement practices. Lectures, Field-Days, and Farm Schools The Division carried out its usual programme of lectures, field-days, and farm schools and was assisted in the farm-school work by officers of other Divisions and Departments and by lecturers from the agricultural colleges. Sixty-five farm schools were held, the Division organized 262 field-days, and Instructors delivered 547 special lectures. Weekly radio talks were continued from Auckland, sessions were inaugurated from Dunedin, and divisional officers assisted with the broadcasts from Palmerston North, Wellington, Christchurch, and Invercargill. A special travelling farm school based on the Department's show exhibit was conducted in North Auckland during February and March. Lectures were provided for country women as well as for farmers and the attendances at .these schools, which were confined to small centres, were very good. The Division's Visual Aids Section has now been provided with permanent workroom accommodation and facilities are available to allow of the adequate provision of slides and film-strips for extension lectures. During the year the Visual Aids Officer took 800 photographs of farming subjects for use in illustrating departmental publications, for the preparation of lantern-slides, and for general publicity. Flock House Farm op Instruction The scope of the farm-training course for youths at Flock House was considerably expanded during the past year. More up-to-date accommodation and facilities have been provided for the 45 trainees in residence, while practical training has been supplemented by lectures from staff and departmental specialist officers as well as by demonstrations and visits to various farms in the district. The trainees have been active in the

11