Northern Star (Lismore, NSW : 1876 - 1954), Wednesday 13 August 1924, page 10


NOVEL IDEA

VICTORIAN PRODUCERS

BENEFIT

"BETTER FARMING"

A novel idea, but one with far reaching

possibilities is now being put into operation in Victoria, where the Railway Commissioners are fitting up a demonstration strain for the Department of Agriculture.

The train will commence running in Oc-tober next, and will be the first demonstra-tion train to operate in Australia. It will give the farmer an opportunity of discuss-ing, practically at his own door, the problems of his vocation.

This Better Farming Train will be com-posed of 12 trucks and carriages, containing exhibits of live stock, selected farm produce, dairy fittings and appliances, fodders and fer-tilisers, plans of farm buildings, and many other items essential to a comprehensive agricultural display. Experts are busy fit-

ting this train, and make it attractive, as well as highly instructive. It will interest the farmer's wife and his growing family equally as much as it will the farmer him-self.

It will first travel the dairying districts of [the State, and then, with some alterations

in the exhibits, it will also visit the wheat and sheep farming and fruit growing centres.

EXPERT ADVICE

At each stop experts will give concise and readily understandable information on all farming matters. They will be on the train specially for this purpose. By this means it is hoped to assist farmers to make their work in the various branches of agri-culture much more profitable. To everyone on the land this Better Farming Train should prove a most valuable innovation.

With the Better Farming Train there will also be a carriage specially fitted up for in-struction in domestic affairs —a real practical housewives' section. Expert instructors will be in attendance to advise farmers' wives and daughters in many lines of household

work.

In the past some of these same demon-strations have been given occasionally at agricultural shows, but there they have reached too few people.

WIDE APPEAL

At the ordinary show the time which the farmer and his wife have at their disposal is much too short to see everything. par-ticularly if they are exhibitors in any sec-tion. And the most go-ahead families are nearly always exhibitors. It is they who make the local show.

However, here on the Demonstration Train there will be little crowding, and the whole time of those who come to see the exhibits will be given thereto. The demonstrations and lectures will take place at set hours during the day or evening. Everyone in-terested in any particular section will be able to devote his or her time solely to that, if they so desire, or they may examine

the whole of the exhibits in due course. To the farmer and his wife, and his boys

and girls, the Better Farming Train will

prove the most interesting and instructive demonstration that has yet reached that par-

ticular district. It is expected to start out in October, and all stationmasters will have

full information as to when and where it will call, and how long it will stay.