Relating to Agriculture. 125 



manure, other than that partly grown in the shape of 

 turf and partly acquired from the atmosphere by 

 natural ' means ; but there is still enough land left 

 which might be cultivated on the old system so as to 

 form a comparison with the new system adopted. 

 The farm consists of 1,250 acres, and the high land 

 portion of it would be valuable for experimenting as 

 to the improvements that might be effected on such 

 mountain grazings. The Government, it is true, might 

 acquire similar land elsewhere, but before the required 

 comparison between the old and the proposed system 

 could be instituted many years would be required to 

 pass by — at least from 10 to 12 — before the farmer could 

 be able to judge as to the respective merits of the two 

 systems. The Board of Agriculture sent an experienced 

 official to report on the project, and he did so favourably, 

 and I know that, besides, it was approved of by a 

 prominent member of the Department ; but nothing was 

 done in the matter, which I now think is fortunate, as 

 unless the farm were managed by a practical and skilful 

 agriculturist, who had acquired the moderate knowledge 

 of chemistry sufficient for the purpose, it could never be 

 of the value it might become to the agricultural interests' 

 of these islands. I must not, however, be surprised at 

 this want of action on the part of the Government in 

 matters relating to agriculture, as its general policy 

 seems to be to report, and do nothing but report. A 

 (3ommittee, as I have elsewhere shown, advised that a 

 central seed testing station should be established where 

 farmers could, for a small fee, get their seeds tested. 

 This is a point of the greatest importance, and, indeed, 

 absolutely essential to the system of farming I have 

 initiated. The recommendation of the Committee was 

 made in 1900, but so far nothing seems to have been 

 done to carry it into effect. Nor, I fear, will anything be 

 done which will aid in at once saving the agricultural 

 situation, and arresting the decline in the numbers of 

 our rural population, till a statesman can be found 



