LOWCLIFFE FARMERS' UNION.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XL, Issue 9292, 29 April 1920, Page 3

LOWCLIFFE FARMERS' UNION.

The Lowcliffe farmers were privileged in listening to a most interesting address given on Monday evening by Mr H. H. Allan, Agricultural Science Master of the Ashburton High School, the subject being "Kecent Experimental Work in Agriculture," The chair was occupied by Mr D. Shaw, president of the branch, who said that Mr Allan was now known to most of those present. Mi- Allan was received with hearty appl:uise, and, in responding, thanked those present for the kindly reception given him. He had., on several previous occasions, been able to address them, but on this occasion had no intention of trying to teach farmers how to run their farms, but was open to learn all that he could from practical men. ,He was deeply interested in all matters pertaining tv agriculture, and would endeavour to give them some of the results obtained on the experimental farm.

The lecturer g.-tve comparative results of potato growing for the past two years and of varieties, giving their names, and treatment. The next subject dealt with was the yields of wheat and oats, also for the last two years, with remarks on their respective merits. The growing of rape, kale, and grass mixtures was' also touched upon. Some interesting diagrams were exhibited showing the effects of smut in wheat both in the .seed and afterwards in the flower. Mr Allan pointed out that while certain formulae were effective in killing the fiinut spores, that the work was rendered comparatively valueless, if trie treated grain was afterwards returned to the bags, which were sure to be infected, and this wns also the case ivith drills in which smutty grain had been used. Mr Allan, who is a. keen observer of noxious weeds, had with him a sample of a most pernicious weed known as "The King Devil," found at Mount I Peel, and which is rapidly spreading, <ilso another weed known as "mouseoared chick weed." which has been found on the Maronan Road. These vveeds, in Mr Allan's opinion, are likely to become pests unless steps are taken for their eradication. Mr Allan spoke for nearly two hours and was attentively listened to throughout. At the conclusion, Mr Bn'uv"said that he had listened to Mr Allan's address with the keenest interest, and was thoroughly convinced of the great educational value of_ such addresses. Mr Brown, in moving a hearty vote of thanks to Mr Allan, >;aid' that he hoped the time was not far distant when agricultural scholarships would be provided to send at least one student yearly to Lincoln College, and by such means build up n fine type of scientific agricultural farmer.—The motion was carried by acclamation, Mr Allan suitably msponding. The annual meeting of the branch was held immediately afterwards, when the report .".nd balance-sheet wnv submitted. The report stated that

during the year lectures w.ere given on Farming , Topics,'? Mr Simpson; "Keeping of Farm Accounts," Mr Anderson; "Pastures," Mr Levy; "Diseases of Stock," Mr Patterson, Government Veterinary Surgeon ; "Types and Breeds of Sheep," 'Mr Harte.

Other general business has been transacted at four other ordinary meetings, and on September 12, the anniversary of the branch's inauguration, the annual social was held. The election of officers for the ensufng year was as follow:—President, Mr D. Shaw; vice-president, Mr J. J. Freeman; treasurer, Mr W. H. Price; secretary, M S. Withell; auditor, Mr W. Harding. The Secretary was instructed to send a letter of thanks to Mr Harding, with a request to again act in the same capacity. M.r J. Brown nominatedl Mr D. Shaw as delegate to the Provincial Conference.

In spite of many changes in the district, the membership is being well maintained, and two new members were welcomed.

A hearty vote of thanks was accorded to the retiring secretary for his services.