2 Future of Agricultural Machinery. [april, 



Agricultural Machinery will shortly be established. The Com- 

 mittee expect that that body will be aided by any Industrial 

 Research Association that may be formed in connection there- 

 with. They advocate further the formation in this country of 

 a permanent organisation to test agricultural machinery and 

 implements, and recommend that such tests should be organised 

 and carried out by the Ministry of Agriculture, and that both 

 farmers and manufacturers should have an important share 

 in the arrangements. A Central Advisory Committee is 

 suggested, on which agriculture, agricultural engineering and 

 a small official element should be represented. In this con- 

 nection it is interesting to note that the witnesses before the 

 Committee were unanimous in suggesting the initiation of 

 such tests. 



Excellent machinery, however, is of little use, unless farmers 

 can readily acquire knowledge of it. At present they have 

 to depend upon neighbours' opinions, interested agents' 

 statements, Press notices, and awards of Agricultural Societies. 

 The Committee recommend, therefore, that the Ministry 

 should establish an Information Bureau which would collect 

 descriptions and record performances of agricultural machinery 

 and implements. A definite educational scheme is also pro- 

 posed. Under this, instruction in mechanics, theoretical 

 and applied, would be given in rural districts to youths under 

 14, while more specialised lectures would be available to 

 farmers and kindred workers. College and Farm Institutes 

 are also advised to equip themselves for practical demonstra- 

 tions in agricultural machinery. A further part of the educa- 

 tion scheme is the provision of expert advice, machinery 

 demonstrations, and lectures illustrated by the cinematograph 

 and lantern slides. Finally the Report urges that the Ministry- 

 should encourage this movement in every county or area, 

 and presses home the need for co-ordination between all 



persons intere ted. 



***** 



In evidence given before the Departmental Committee of 

 the Ministry* appointed to advise on the question of the 

 development of agricultural machinery, 

 Development of successive witnesses referred to the change 



^hinery al which the conditions produced by the War 

 have brought about in the attitude of 

 farmers in this country towards the use of machinery. While 

 the introduction of the motor tractor was clearly foremost in 



* See above. 



