lo Mar., 1911.] Ainiual Grant fo Igri cultural Societies. 211 



(b) No person whose farm equipment of teams and implements is insuffi- 

 cient, or out of date, sliall be accepted as a proper person to conduct an 

 experiment. 



(c) The preparation of the land shall be wholly carried out by the experi- 

 menter, and. if not considered in proper order at the time of sowing, any 

 further work desired shall be done promptly. 



(d) Every Society shall appoint a sub -committee to consult with the 

 Departmental officer,' as to the class of experiment and the best means of 

 carrying out the same. 



(e) Every Society shall arrange for regular visitation of the experimental 

 plot during growth and for a "field day " and lecture upon the plot towards 

 its maturity. 



It is suggested that one or more experimental plots should be developed 

 in each district. Three main lines of investigation may be carried out ^ 

 first, the determination of the manurial requirements of the district ; second, 

 the introduction of new methods of management and of new crops ; third, 

 by introducing new varieties of crops not already grown in the district. 

 The area of land selected should be typical of the district, if anything, 

 rather on the poor side. The location of the plot should be such that 

 it can be seen by as many farmers as possible. An area adjacent to the 

 principal town, or close to the railway station of the district, is therefore 

 .suggested. The details of the experimental work carried on by the Depart- 

 ment are published from time to time in the ] oiirnal. 



C.2. — Special Prize. 



In carrying out this section, the words, " substantial prize " 

 are to be interpreted in proportion of the income and prize list 

 of the Society. It should amount to from 2\ to 5 per cent, of 

 the total amount distributed in prizes at the show. The objects aimed at 

 should be to make a distinct advance in farming methods as carried on in 

 the district, and it will therefore be advisable to state the amount of the 

 prize and the purpose for which it will be awarded several years in 

 advance. Several Societies at present award prizes for the best-managed 

 farms under and over 200 acres; others for the best farm under irriga- 

 tion. These Societies fulfil all the conditions required. Suitable subjects 

 are — {a) The best 10 acres irrigated by a private scheme; {h) The best 

 c acres of lucerne, maize, or other fodder crops grown with or without 

 irrigation ; {c) The best-managed dairy herd of ten cows or upwards : or 

 {d) The best 5-acre crop of flax or beans, &c. , &c. Two or three objects 

 should be suggested by each Society in taking up this condition. The 

 Department will, as far as possible, assist bv arranging the details of the 

 competition, give instruction as to the best methods in attaining the object 

 sought, and, if required, an officer of the Department will judge the com- 

 petition, and a full report, with criticisms and suggestions for improvement, 

 will be forwarded along with the award. 



{a) The Society .shall take steps to make the details of the competition 

 widely known, and shall fix a date upon which entries close. 



{h) Not less than three entries sliall constitute a competition. 



{c) If the entries are insufficient, the Society shall immediately notify 

 the Department, and make other arrangements at onr<> to mmplv with the 

 grant conditions. 



