FARMERS FROM OVERSEAS

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21686, 21 January 1936, Page 10

FARMERS FROM OVERSEAS

SOUTH AUSTRALIAN DELEGATION INSPECTION OF WHEAT CROPS The South Australian farmers who arrived in Christchurch on Sunday evening had their knowledge of farming conditions and practices in Canterbury pleasurably extended by yesterday's programme. Most of the visitors' time in the up with trips to the scenic and yesterday was the first day in which an inspection of farming was the major part of the programme. The party had seen enough of the wheat crops of South and Mid-Canterbury on their trip from the south, to give them some idea of the productivity of the province, and an indication of what they might expect to see on closer examination. The party is under the leadership of Mr R. C. Scott, a member of the staff of the Agricultural Department of South Australia. In the morning the party, which numbers about 15, visited the works at Belfast of the Canterbury Frozen Meat Company, where they saw the processes of the slaughtering and freezing of stock carried out on the most modern lines. The staff of the company showed the visitors around the various departments and gave full information to the interested enquiries of the visitors. The latter were much impressed by the good quality of the lambs being slaughtered, and by the "chain" system of killing. The industry in their own state is making steady progress, and is being specially catered for by breeders who are importing Down breeds of sheep to meet what is confidently believed will grow into an important industry in South Australia. The completeness of the works at Belfast was favourably commented upon, and as the weather was ideal for the outing a very pleasant morning was spent. Visit to Lincoln College In the afternoon the visitors went out to the Canterbury Agricultural College, where they were met by the act-ing-director, Dr. F. W. Hilgendorf, who took them to the wheat plots of the Wheat Research Institute, and explained the policy and objects of tho institute. The visitors were impressed with the system of financing the organisation, in which farmers, millers, and bakers voluntarily contribute the funds, which were assisted by a Government subsidy. The broad lines of the work and the objects were explained by the acting-director, and Dr. O. H. Frankel. plant geneticist for the institute, explained in detail the work in progress with the ultimate object

of breeding better strains of wheat—for yield, resistance to pests, and improving baking quality. The splendid crops which have been grown this year in the experimental area were the cause of comment by the visitors. The wheat is practically all ready for cutting, and this work was in progress during the visit. The visitors remarked on the similarity of the Lincoln country to some of their own districts in South Australia. There the rainfall averaged from 25 to 26 inches annuallv, a few inches more than the average fall in Canterbury. Some of tho visitors are wheat growers, and they displayed a keen interest in the methods employed at the plots in regard to fallowing and fertilising, and several of them took numerous notes of the information given them. Crops and Grasses After about an hour's inspection of the institute's plots, the crops on the college farm—in stook and standingwere inspected, and here the visitors saw wheat growing under normal commercial conditions. Most of them expressed surprise at the prospective yields of the crops of both wheat and oats.. The experiments in pasture grasses were inspected by them and were described by Mr J. W. Calder. After a break for afternoon tea, at which a welcome was extended by Dr. Hilgendorf, and replied to by Mr Scott, an inspection of the stud flocks and stock was h«ld. The Border Leicesters and Southdowns created a good deal of interest, since these breeds are coming into favour in South Australia. A few of the implements used at the college were new to the party, not-

ably the combined grain and manure drill and the hay filter. The visitors were free seekers of knowledge on agricultural practices and expressed pleasure at the information given. Valuable Information Messrs L. A. de Garis and D. Powell, who have pastoral interests in the lower south-east of South Australia, said that the country in Canterbury was very like that in their home district. Mr Powell said it was particularly interesting that the Canterbury plains were formerly covered with al-

most valueless tussock grass, but that they were now nearly a producers' paradise. Mr de Garis said that the south-east of South Australia, where white tussocks were similarly found, could be •converted into rich, mixed farming country/ Its present range of production and type of stock was much the same, but it was capable of vast extension and improvement. Undoubtedly Canterbury had much to show the visitors, and valuable lessons could be taught in the conversion of a big area of second or third-class land into rich districts. Mr Scott was also impressed. He said that the visit to the college was the most instructive the party had yet enjoyed. Canterbury's production and wonderful fertility were exceptional. The most valuable feature was that South Australia possessed a big area of land where the lessons the party was learning could be applied, as seasonal and soil conditions were reasonably alike. To-day the party will divide into two. «One will be taken to inspect stud flocks and the other to see general farming conditions within easy access of Christchurch. The latter group could not have had a more favourable period than the present, as harvesting is in progress on most of the farms in the district. They will travel by tonight's steamer express to Wellington, where the North Island tour will commence, the delegation leaving for Australia on February 4.