AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

Clutha Leader, Volume XX, Issue 1036, 1 June 1894, Page 5

AGRICULTURAL CONFERENCE.

The Conference resumed at 10 o'clock on Wednesday. The rules for a flock book for the colony were approved of. The question of grubs in grass and corn crops was next considered, and on the motion of Mr Pasley (Rangiora) it was decided that investigations and experiments be set on foot with a view of checking the ravages of the grass grub ; and on the. motion of Mr Barnett (Ellesmere) it was decided that Government be requested to distribute information to the agricultural aud pastoral societies upon the subject of the grass grub, with the view o ascertaining the best means of preventing its spread. The subject was discussed at great length, a large number of delegates giving their experiences of the pests. Mr Grigg (Canterbury) thought that Government should be asked to appoint an entomologist to inquire fully into the matter. Mr Williamson (Ashburton) suggested irrigation as a mean's of getting rid of the pest, and after a variety of other opinions had been expressed and suggestions made, it was agreed that the Government be earnestly requested to obtain the services of a first-class entomologist, who shall devote a'l his time to the examination of insect pests, with a view to their destruction. As regards rust in grain, the general opinion was that it was purely due to atmospheric ''conditions, and was disseminated by seed, The question of the circulation of useful information amongst farmers on all matters affecting their interests was next discussed. A paper on the " Manures and the Manure Act," by Mr G. Gray, lecturer on chemistry at Lincoln College, was read. On the motion of Mr Bradey (Wellington) it was decided — " That, in the opinion of the conference, it is desirable to collect and obtain all information possible in connection with the management and treatment of land, sheep, and stock in general within the colony ; that the various agricultural and pastoral associations assist in the above object ; that all information so obtained be submitted, to Mr Ritchie, Secre-

tary of Agriculture, with a view of having al that is considered useful advice to settlers puhlished in pamphlet form." On the motion of Mr Grigg it was decided to support any publication, in magazine form which issued subject to the supervision of the agricultural and pastoral associations, and to recommend to the different associations the the advisability of carrying on practical experiments Li the interests of the farming community. A proposal that all stock inspectors be qualified to act as veterinary surgeons "was rejected. Mr Buchanan, M.H.E., moved — " That every available means should be used to encourage the dehorning of calves, and that the Agricultural department be asked to publish a leaflet illustrating the most simple and effective method of procedure." He spoke on the advantages of the practise, pointing out that dehorned cattle fattened much more readily and were much more easily handled than cattle which, still retained their horns. He admitted that the operation was a painful one for cattle, but said the pain was shortlived in his experience. He had submitted a very large number of cattle to this process, but had not lost a single animal. The motion was carried. A discussion on the question of the breeding of the inost profitable cattle and sheep for freezing purposes was opened by Mr John Grigg (Canterbury), who read a paper on the subject. As to the class of mutton and beef that would bring the highest price in the English market, he said it was beyond dispute that comparatively small breeds both of cattle and sheep made the highest price per lb, and therefore it must be small breeds that would best fulfil this condition. In cattle, the Devon breed was the best suited for freezing purposes, and in sheep he gave the preference to Shropshire Downs and Southdowns. Merino ewes must continue to bs the basis o£ our flocks as far as the South Island is concerned. He moved that information regarding the best breeds of cattle and sheep for freezing, all points considered, be collected and disseminated throughout the colony, such information to be obtained, if possible, by careful experimental tests. Mr John Roberts (Dunedin) said it was impossible for this colony to compete with larger territories, such as Queensland, in the beef trade, and he thought we should devote ourselves to growing mutton instead of beef. After a discussion lasting upwards of two hours and embracing the whole question of sheep breeding, the motion Avas agreed to. The Noxious Weeds Bill, as amended by the committee was adopted for submission to the Government. Exception to the expenditure- of revenue from the sheep tax in the extermination of rabbits was taken by Mr Orbell (Geraldine), who moved — " That in the event of the present sheep tax being continued the money so raised.be voted to the benefit of sheepfarmers." The line of argument of the supporters of the motion was that it was unjust to many farmers who were taxed on their sheep to use this revenue in doing away with rabbits when in many cases they had no rabbits on their land. On the other hand it was contended that as the rabbit nuisance was of the nature of a national calamity it would be a pity to relax any efforts to get rid of it. The motion was lost, on a division, by 22 to 17. The small birds nuisance was next discusced. Mr Pasley (Eangiora) moved — " That in view of the want of systematic action in the poisoning of small [birds, clauses should be introduced in the Small Birds Nuisances Act compelling united action." — The motion was agreed to. Mr Wilson (Manawatu) moved — " That the fundamental rules of agricultural associations throughout the. colony should, be made uniform." The drawing up of rules was loft in the hands of a committee, who will bring up a report at next conference. At 6 p.m. the' confercnca adjourned till 10 a.m. next day.