KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

Press, Volume XXIII, Issue 3058, 10 June 1875, Page 3

KAIAPOI FARMERS' CLUB.

A special meeting was held at the Kaikanni hotel on Monday evening. Thirtyfive members were present. Mr 0. Dudley was elected to preside. Mr J. Birnie opened the question for debate, by reading a paper qn the disadvantages of "false cut" in ploughing. He strongly advocated the holding of ploughing competitions; pointing out the advisability of adopting at the matches a system of judging by points. He argued that, if each ploughman's number was entered in a book, made for the purpose of recording the points in proper columns, the judges would be assisted in their duties, and competitors might have a better opportunity of learning in what respects they had excelled or might be deficient, the marks explaining in each respect the opinion of the judges at each stage of the ploughing. He alluded to the proposal to start a northern, central, and southern match in the province, doing away with the large number of local matches, in regard to which, he could not see that any benefit would result, as the matches would fail, in consequence of local prejudices. He concluded his remarks by referring in high terms to the success of the Kaiapoi ploughing matches, attributable mainly to the classes being open to all comers, and as an instance of their prosperity stated the number of entries for the last eleven years had gradually increased, and Bhowed an average of 22.8 teams each year. A lively discussion followed, which was taken part in by Messrs G. Coup, E. Wilson, Parnham, Lorrimer, Kerr, Stanton, Beharrell, Walls, Ross, and others, all corroborating the statements that crops were not successful on land where the ploughing had been '< false cut," as the land was not fairly tilled, but left shallow. Some difference of opinion was manifested witb regard to " high cut" and the "fair square honest work." The question of judging by points commended itself to all but general favor, the club decided, however, to come to no resolution with reference to its introduction at present. On the motion of Mr Stanton, seconded by Mr E. Wilson, it was resolved—"That the system of • false cut' is injurious to farming, as land so ploughed is made incapable of producing a good crop, and in the opinion of the club the 'false cut' should be discountenanced at ploughing matches generally." A cordial vote of thanks was passed to Mr Birnie for his paper and suggestions. With the usual complimentary vote to the chairman, the meeting terminated.