FARMERS' DAY

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 48, Issue 78, 12 January 1928, Page 7

FARMERS' DAY

AT EXPERIMENTAL FARM. A PROFITABLE AFTERNOON. A large number of farmers from the County and from North and South Canterbury spent a profitable field day in Asliburton yesterday, the scheme having been organised by the Agricultural Department. In the morning lectures were given by the officials of the Department who are carrying out work at the Experimental Farm, and demonstrations were given at the Farm in the afternoon. Though the weather was threatening no rain fell. After the "Guardian" went to press yesterday demonstrations were continued. The third plot to be viewed was one containing lucerne, where experiments are being carried: out with lime and I phosphate top-dressing. Three years ago 2-cwt. of super, was applied in the winter on strips of the land, and though none has since been put clown, the effects on the growing lucerne is now very marked, those plants growing on the untreated land having only hail the growth of the- neighbouring treated land, though the vitality appeared to be equal all over. The final experiment shown was under farming conditions to determine the effect of smut- control treatments on the germination and yield of wheat. This is l an extension of Mr NeilPs work on disease control, the treatments used being .semesan, copper carbonate, bluestone, and formalin, (in dry and wet methods) together with an untreated plot. At the conclusion of the demonstrations afternoon tea was served at the manager's house, after which visitors returned to their homes by train.