H,— 29.

particularly true of farming knowledge. Possibly an explanation of this has been the difficulty of disseminating knowledge among the farmers. Fortunately, however, this difficulty is being minimized by the influence of better facilities for social contact — e.g., motor-cars, better roads, and radio. Hence, in the future, the translation of knowledge into practice, which it is a task of the Department of Agriculture to foster and facilitate, may bring about increases in farmproduction more quickly than the rate of development in production of the past would lead one to expect. Young Farmers' Clubs. There is much evidence that an agency of mueh value to the Department in its advisory and instructional work is available in the Young Farmers' Clubs, the work of which has greatly extended since the initial clubs were founded in Otago in 1932. At the end of the year under review there were thirty clubs in the North Island and fifty-six clubs in the South Island, with a total membership of approximately 2,000, and the clubs are so rapidly growing in popularity that the time seems not far distant when there will be a chain of clubs throughout the Dominion located at most farming centres of sufficient population to have the social activities of typical up-to-date small rural communities. The Department proposes to stimulate the work of clubs by arranging for officers of the Fields Division to act as organizers and for departmental officers generally to assist the clubs as far as possible in respect to lectures, field days, &c. The clubs, which are self-supporting and which open their membership to those between sixteen and twentyfive years of age, hold monthly meetings regularly, and engage in a wide range of social and educational activities. They are receiving considerable enthusiastic support of adult business and farming communities. Publications and Publicity. The New Zealand Journal of Agriculture served usefully as the official medium for recording the investigational work of the Department of Agriculture and of kindred organizations which undertake the task of increasing the store of knowledge about means of improving farming. The Journal of Agriculture also fulfilled a purely advisory service in disseminating information not necessarily original, based on our accumulated store of knowledge, about farming practice. Hence the Journal of Agriculture generally has been composed of a blend of articles of technical and popular subject-matter. As occasion arose, bulletins and other publications or statements were issued as in the past to supplement the Journal. The national series of weekly radio lecturettes from Station '2 YA Wellington was discontinued, but radio addresses by departmental officers were given at other centres. Miscellaneous. As usual, the Department has undertaken a good deal of work resulting from governmental 'measures connected with farming. The arrangement made in 1931 whereby the Fields Division purchased seeds and manures required by Government Departments has been continued and operated usefully during the year. For the year purchases of seed of the value of £21,745 were authorized. Many hundreds of individual lines were considered on the basis of purity, germination, and estimated unit values, and 1,656 lines representing 350 tons of seed were purchased. There is no doubt that the basing of purchases on a comparison of known values in this way has been advantageous. Other matters relative to which the Dopp.rtment has carried out work are the railage subsidies on lime and fertilizers, concessions on railway transport of primary produce, the arrangements with the manufacturers of superphosphate, the relief of producers subjected to abnormal storm-damage, and the financing of improved facilities in dairying. The Department has been in close touch with the Executive Commission of Agriculture, the Dairy Board, and the Meat Board relative to various matters affecting farming. Conclusion. I desire to record my appreciation of the assistance I have had from the Secretary, the Directors of the Divisions, the officers in charge of other units, together with members of the staff generally who, during the year, have endeavoured to the full extent of their ability, to have the responsibilities of the Department met as efficiently as possible. On the Ist May, 1936, Dr. C. J. Reakes relinquished his duties as Director-General, a position he had held since 1918. All members of the staff join with me in recording our very deep appreciation of the manifold services he has rendered his department. A. H. Cockayne, Director-General.

3—H. 29.

17