SCHOOL FARM COURSE

Bay of Plenty Times, Volume LXVII, Issue 12825, 21 August 1939, Page 5

SCHOOL FARM COURSE

ADVISORY COMMITTEE ANNUAL MEETING GENERAL REVIEW OF ACTIVITIES The annual meeting of the Agricultural Advisory Committee of the Tauranga District High School Farm Course was held at the school on Wednesday. Mr. W. J. Stevens, Chairman of the High School Committee, presided. there were also present, Messrs. A. Alio, A. M. Shanks, A. C. Isherwood, H. J. Clarke, C. F. Hayman. S. Steele, R. J. Rendell (Secretary), and Mr A. Bell, headmaster. The minutes of the last annual meeting were read and confirmed. Coryef jjpontlCn co As a result of an application to the Education Department . for a grant in connection with the farm course, advice was received from the Department requesting further particulars. The Board forwarded a copy of the following letter on the subject as received from the Education Department regarding the grant. “With reference to your memorandum of the 11th of May, enclosing a statement of receipts and expenditure for the year ended June the 30th, 1938, 1 should be glad if a balanced statement of assets and liabilities, as at the same date, could be forwarded for the information of the Department. The Department would then be in a position to consider what contribution if any, could be made towards the equipment required for the future development of the farm. —P. C. Renyard (for Director of Education.)” The , Chairman said that Mr. Renyard for the Director of Education, had visited the school recently and inspected the farm. He was very favourably impressed with the fact that the farm course in Tauranga paid its way. The experience of the Department was that the reverse wag usually the case. Statement of Finances A statement of assets for year ending June 30, 1939, showed an increase of £ 124 10s over the previous year. The statement of receipts and payments showed a credit balance of £ 52 2s lid on the year’s working. Receipts from grazing, maize sales and interest were £57 Is Id. 1 Payments for stock ( £ 60 v 10s), manures, seed, material, rent, etc., amounted to' £ 134 3s Id. While assets had increased by £ 124 10s, the cash balance at close of accounts was down £77 Is lid. The profit for the year’s working was £ 47 8s Id. Special Report ' Mr. A. M. Shanks, master in charge of agriculture, presented the following special report on farm course activities; The members of the Agricultural Advisory Committee are Mr. W. Stevens (Chairman), Mr. A. J. Rendell (Hon. Secretary), and Messrs. H. Clarke (A. and R. Association), H. G. Lever (Education Board), S. Steele (County Council), H. S. Benjamin (Citrus Growers), A. Greig (Orchard Instructor, Dept, of Agriculture), M. W. Watt (Stock Inspector, Dept. .of Agriculture), B. P. Andrews (Ex-Chairman School Committee), and present members of the School Committee, F. B. Hartstone (Tauranga Co-op. Dairy Assn.) Mr. S. Steele is acting as honorary farm supervisor. During tlie last year much progress has- been made and with only one area on which to concentrate, we have been able to carry out our work much more effectively. Maize Variety Yield Trial. —The area which was in maize last year was again used for a variety yield trial. There were twelve varieties under test. All the maize has been picked, ; the maize under test being weighed at time of picking. The maize at present drying out an the crib, should, bring in about £ 18. Manurial Trial.—This .experiment was laid down in the spring of 1936, and consists of a study of the effects on an old. pasture of dressings of superphosphate, basic slag, potash salts, and also each with the addition of lime. This experiment is being carried over a number of years and some very interesting results are fairly obvious. Pasture Experimental Work. —In March, 1937, the paddock at the experimental area, which had contained potatoes, -was, used for the laying down of an experimental plot containing different strains and species of pasture plants. In all there are 38 plots being used .for these grass and clover trials. • In addition a clover inoculation trial with special clover culture was carried out without any marked results. Twin Cress Control Trial.—This was commenced in 1937 and consists of the application of Varying amounts of superphosphate as follows:—Superphosphate at 2 cwts. per acre, 4 cwts. per acre and 6 cwts. per acre; also superphosphate 2 cwts. per acre with blood and bone 2 cwts. per acre. , The same year a further manurial trial was laid down as follows:—All fertilisers and mixtures were sown’ at the rate of £ 1 worth per acre, including cost of transport. The following fertilisers were applied by hand: Superphosphate, basic slag, rock sulphate, Seychelles guano, blood and bone, super and lime (equal* parts), super and 30 peA cent, potash (4 to 1), ammoniated super, super and blood and bone (equal parts). These plots were again treated this autumn and will receive a further dressing in the spring. Manurial -Trial using Superphosphate, Heskett Slag, Basic Slag.— The aim of this experiment is to compare the effects of Heskett Slag

with those of Superphosphate and Basic Slag. Six plots were laid down as follows: —Super, Heskett Slag, Basic Slag; also each with the addition of Lime.

Purchase of Stock. —During the year we purchased 15 yearlings, and obtained the loan of a Guernsey bull from Mr. H. J. Clarke. One of these heifers died during the year, but so far the others are in excellent condition. One heifer has already been sold and the others, are on the market just now. The cost of the 15 head of stock was £6O 10s, and we estimate that they will realise just over £IOO. There has been a shortage of grass during the winter and the stock have been hand fed on hay, maize tops, carrots, turnips, mangolds, k'umi-kumi, etc., all products of the farm. New Pasture. —The area which was in maize has been grazed off and is ready for ploughing and working prior to the spring sowing of a certified pasture. The Hillsdene area has been levelled off in' a preparation for ploughing, and this area will be used for the maize variety yield trials, growing of root crops, etc.

Fencing.—The whole of the boundary fences have been strengthened and repaired, where necessary, by the use of iron standards. Three gates have also been readjusted to give more ready access to the various areas. All the gates have been oiled to prevent weathering. Sheds. —The new sheds which were built by the boys under the supervision of Mr. R. H. Smith, Woodwork Instructor, have been erected and painted. The old shed is in need of repairs and painting. Konaki. —The boys are about to commence the building of a konaki for use on the farm area and an axle and set of wheels have been purchased.

Sign Board. —This has been procured and will be erected as soon as possible, after which it will be necessary to have the signwriting carried out.

Shelter Belt. —The belt of lawsoniana trees has been kept clean and is growing well. Any blanks have been filled with trees donated by Mr. J. Steele. '

Water Troughs.—These have now been placed in each paddock with the exception of one paddock, and this will have to lie attended to in the near future. So far we have been able to purchase three small found ones, and one long oblong trough. - Horse. ; —If funds permit we should make arrangements for the early purchase of a mare which could be used for breeding.

Agricultural Club. —Members of your advisory committee have continued to take an interest in the Tauranga Boys’ and .Girls’ Agricultural Club, which is well established. The pupils of the school took part in the Calf Rearing competitions (15 members), and the Home Gardens competitions (50 members), and in addition pupils of. the school were exhibitors in the Agricultural Club Section at the Tauranga A. and P. Association Summer Show. The Secondary Department were successful in winning the shield for School Home Garden Courts. Barbara Carlyle, a pupil of the school, won the Burnett Challenge Cup for the Champion Calf, all breeds. Be© Keeping.—We have been fortunate in securing the services, of Mr, H. B. C. Carter, formerly* instructor to the Board of Education, London, for a series of talks and demonstrations on bee keeping. He has also kindly donated a hive of bees to the school. This work will be carried on by the pupils including both hoys and girls. Department of Agriculture.;—The Department- of Agriculture has continued to co-operate with the school and Messrs. A. Alio (Agricultural Instructor), and A. Greig (Orchard Instructor)., have made their services available at all times. Mr. A-110 lias supervised tbe manurial trials and the maize variety trials while Mr. Greig has given the boys a talk on picking and packing citrus fruits, including a visit to the Tauranga Citrus Factory. In addition a short field day held at the orchard of Mr. C. Hansen, under the guidance of Mr, Greig.. The report was discussed at length. The selection of seed etc., for the maize trials for the current season was left in the hands of Mr. Alio, who will reduce the number of varieties. . ,

On the motion of Mr. Bell, Messrs. F, W. Keam and S. Steele Were appointed a committee to purchase heifers and a horse for the farm.

The ploughing of the areas for pasture and the ploughing of the Hillsdene Area for maize and root crops has been completed. Authority was given for the completion of signwriting. Mr Smith, Technical master, w;as granted further facilities to assist pupils in concrete work. Repairs and painting to shed’ were also authorised. Accounts as scheduled, amounting, to £l4 11s 6d, were passed for payment. ,

A special meeting of the advisory committee is to be held on receipt of a reply from 1 the Education Department regarding grant.