FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1208, 17 August 1911, Page 8

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL

A. ;& P. COMFERENGE. second day. India as a market por horses. '-■": Weeds and pests. The Agricultural .Conference was -continued iii'the Chamber'of Commerce yesterdayj Mr. A. S.OrbeJl, president, ■ occupying the chair. .Assistance for Experiments. A motion was pat forward !>y Mr. W. Perry (Masterton) fliat where land of a suitable' nature, and' conveniently situ-ated,-is provided by an A. and P. association, the ' Government be asked to grant £ for £ subsidy, and oversee the carrying out of the. experiments.' The. Ma.ste.rton Association, said Mr. . Perry, had 10 acres of land offered to ; them,--but they- were not in a position to I bear the expense of 'working it. They wrote to the Government and the Depart-ment-of Agriculture replied that the Government would find manure, seeds and supervision.. This left the bulk-., of the •;expense on. the..association, and the result, in the; case under notice-, was that, tile land was still.idle as far ,as experiments were concerned.. Mr. M'Gregor (Masterton) seconded the motion. If the assistance that was asked were given it would bo of great value to the' various 'district!. The motion was carried. Plant-breeding in the South. Mr. ..:D.. D.. .Mncfa'rlaiie (Canterbury) moved that the Government be asked to establish a plant-breeding and. experiment farm in the South. Island. The matter haying been fully discussed on the opening day.- the motion was carried without' discussion. : Noxious Weeds. The much-discussed question of noxious weeds was introduced by the' Hawke's Bay Society, Mr. A. H. Russell moving:— That the Government ba asked to take more- active steps to keep down, noxious weeds on Crown - and Native lands, and to offer a further inducement for an efficient, means of eradication. Mr. P. Moore, Waugauui, seconded the motion. He did not think enough was bring done in this connection, much .of the land being rendered waste by noxious weeds. Mr. Hayward (Opotiki) thought the State should do more to keep the land clear. Tho Stat?, the Native owners, and the general farmer should be. put on the same level-in this connection. The motion was carried. ■ • • .Pure Seeds. i Mr. MaefaHanc (Canterbury) moved:— That (lie 'seed merchants should I>e com-pelled.-to guarantee all seeds sold, for purity and germination,'and the Government" be' empowered-'to impound at port of-entry all imported seed containing any' soods of 'noxious weeds.

' The'■ mover pointed out-that at present there was 'no penalty provided for selling impure-seeds. There was'.n; large demand.' in outlying districts for chenp seeds,-and there was nothing to prevent the sale.of this class of wed,'and the better class of merchants wished protection from merchants, who would sell anything. He procci'ded .to give examples of analysts he had made, which showed dearly the nsed for some supervision.'. Before passing any. retoluttoh, he thought it would bo wise to discuss the Government's proposed Pure Sfcds Bill. Perhaps the best )(%, would.be.to set up a committee ta discuss and report on the proposed. Bill. A committee, consisting of Dr. Hilgendorf, Messrs. Perry, Maud, Kussell, a'nd tho mover, was appointed. ■ .• • — - Poison For Small Birds. Mr. B. Seth-Smith (North Ot'ago) moved that the Government be asked to offer a sufficient reward' for tho manufacture of an effective -small bird poison. Tho mover' sard, he put forward the motion with some reservation as the small birds undoubtedly did good amongst the insect pests. At time the,birds undoubtedly destroyed an enormous amount of grain. •'.'■'■ Mr.' Fulton seconded the'motion which, was lost by a large majority.' Marketing New Zealand Produce. Mr. J. G. Wilson, president of the. Farmers' Union moved the following' re-.mit.-in regard to the marketing of New. 'Zealand produce:— - That it would be in the interests of the producer's of New Zcaldnd' if there was an association.'for tho following purposes:—

(a) That the producers appoint repro-s-entatives to watch their interests in London in order to securo the hotter handling of frozen produce in Great Britain. To report to the producers, through the association, either by circular letter or to' confer with them in tho Dominion,' iat such times and places as is deemed advisable. (b) That such representative.should act in conjunction with those representing the Commonwealth and Dominion in Grill Britain on behalf of Iho freezing companies, dairy companies and Government ollici-il, to secure Ihe best means of unloading; storing and distributing the produce from • Australasia. (Such representatives might form tho nucleus of a eomraitfeo to act wilh others appointed by importers and agents for the control of tho produce in Great Britain.) («) That, acting in conjunction as above, .the representative should impress upon the Port of London authority the necessity of providing, in tho South-West' India Dock, berthage for our steamers, modern means of unloading the produce, sorting sheds, and cold- storage, with railway communicalion so as to connect wilh the main railway system of Great Britain, and to secure, if possible, a reduction of dock and delivery charges in London. To urge the necessity upon the London Corporation of more cold storage for meat at Sinithlield, and a better and more expeditious means of transit from the docks la the market, (el) To take stops to secure, in conjunction with others, tho abolition of allowances or deductions, made in London, in favour of the buyers of mul- . ton, lamb, beef, and wool. Mr. Wilson gave details of the position t<> date as explained recently at' the I'armors (;nion Conference. " They did not, he said, want te> interfere with producers in any way, but thai the conference should support the- 'scheme. This was the proper lime to combine, to get a better docking arrangements ami a sorting' store, et.c, and if New Zealand nroducers weuild give their assurance that they would me the stores, etc., it'would assist all concerned. Jlr. I-lwen Campb-ll (Wanganni) seconded the motion. He did not think this meeting could assist,Jlr. Wilson,'as tho London Dock Authority appeared to want a guarantee. Most of those present sold to tho freezing companies or on consignment. Tt was a matter for the freezfnf companies and'the- consignors, but at the r" n fi ''S 0 I' ' IV< " S of • ?rei,t i»'pnrtanc« to nil. He thought theso companies ought to be approached. Mr. Russell (Hawke's Bay) thought the matter was essentially one which the conference as producers could back. Thoy could not give any definite- guarantee, but he.thought they could affirm the principle. Jlr. A. Conway (Mannwatu) > thought the scheme, if carried out, would benefit tho colony as a whole. If they could get the.froczing companies to go in with them an enormous amount of the trade could ho guaranteed. He weuild suggest that the idea of approaching the freezing companies should be taken up enthusiastically. Jlr. R. D. VI. Jl'Lcan (Hawke's Bay) 'aid he thought it was clear that the handling- and distribution of our meat in London uas far from satisfactory. So far certain producers in various ■ parts of Iho colony had supported this scheme, but. ho thought tlioy should look to tho general farming community- to help. He pexsonally thought it greatly-Jo .the in-

REV/8 AND MOTES.

teresls of t.ho producers to have a man at'llonii) to watch-their'interests. The motion was carried unanimously. '1 ■ ■ The Rabbit Pest. Mr. Russell moved, on behalf of Hawke's Bay: That- this conference views with alarm the rapid, and general increase of rabbits through the wn-te and unoccupied lands of the' North Island iniiuodiatcly ndjoining the East Coast, rabbit .districts right along the whole of - their western boundary, and strongly urges' thc\i'l)ep:irtment. of Agriculture to- ins'st on more complete means being taken to cope with the evident increase cf the pcsl. It was.a matter ei' stopping n leak in time, .said Mr. Kussell. If action was not taken now.-it might mean an enormous expenditure later on. -Mr. ],'. D. 1). M'Lean (Hawke's Bay) seconded the motion pro forma. He had had a goad deal.to do with the rabbit pest in Hawke's Bay. He was satisfied that no matter how. large the area was the rabbit could be kept under. He had baen told that rabbits were increasing in the King Country, and elsewhere, and if 'this .was so they were, justified .in ask-1 ing the Government to step in.

Mr. Clifton, of the. Agricultural Depart,nient., remarked that..the question'of the rabbit nuisance was undoubtedly a serious one in the North Island. He did not think there was any way yet known of coning with the rabbit except by rabbit.proof fencing and subdivisions. The rabbits would, go. on" increasing until more rabbit-proof, fences- were, put up. This was the easiest, (lie cheapest, and the safest means of dealing with the rabbit. Mr. .Campbell(Wa'nganrii) agreed that the rabbits -were increasing. Ife also believed the rabbit-proof fence was Hie cheapest and most effective means .of checking the pest. The chairman remarked on the efficacy of pollard poison as a means of dealing with the pest. The rabbit-prcof feiieo was no uso in tho .south. Several other southern' delegates also spoke of the value of pois/in.

I Mr. Clifton said Irs did not recommend th? fencing as a. means of killing rabbits, but it. prevented them spreading. If you got them fenced in you could then use pollard poison with great 'effect. ■ . Mr. Macfarlane (Canterbury) gave , a personal experience of the Value of rabbitproof fencing. . He would like to see t.ho system of trapping and farming .tho rabbit done away with. (Hear, hear.) It was a question in -some places of whether the. rabbit or the slieep was to be in possession.. • The motion was carried. Shooting on Farm Lands. Mr. C. W. Moid (Canterbury) moved:— That the conference take into- consideration tho annoyance to farmers, and tho injury to their stock by irresponsible persons shooting and coursing over their lands on Sundays, a practice which is greatly on the increase, and that Parliament 1m urged to pass an Act. putting a stop to tho. pernicious prsictice.Tho mover said he did not. know that an ict of Parliament Would not. be ' more honoured in the, breach' than in the observance, and, personally, he thought tho local body could deal with the matter best. At the'same time he had to movo the motion on behalf of his.association. ' .The motion was carried. ".' . Losses Through Fires. Mr. 0. B. ' Pembertou (Canterbury) moved: That, in view:of the large and serious loss'es sustained by farmers and graziers through fires, the Government. Iks asked to pass a measure (on the lines recommended by the IW7 conference) to 'prevent the careless lighting of fires, etc. This was agreed to. Poisons Bill. Tho chairman said ho had be?n asked to,bring under,the notice of the Minister , for"' , Agi - icnltui'e ,: 'Hio' i; ftcc'e.tsity for removing sheep, dip from the Poisons Bill. '. The'Hon.'T...Mackenzie said tho Bill was not under his control, but under that of. the .Hon. Mr. Fowlds. It would not be competent for him to do "more than carry any representations the conference might make to Mr. Fowlds. Mr. C. W. Eeid (Canterbury) moved: That the Minister for Agriculture bo requested to. ask the' Hon. Mr. powlds to have all sheep dip preparations excluded from the Poison* Bill.

This was agreed to. At a later stage Jlr. Ewen Campbell (Wanganui) moved: "Thatthis coufereneo protests against the Sale of Poisons Bill, ■limiting the 'sale of ■ arsenic ami other poisons to chemists." The mover, pointed out that the Bill would practically give the chemists a monopoly -over the sale of arsenic and other poisons.' Farmers who made thejir own dips would have to pay a much increased price to chemists. Jlr.'Conway (Mar.awatu) also spoko strongly against the proposal to givo the chemists a. .monopoly. Jlr. Russell thought the previous speakers were under a misapprehension. As he read the Bill a storekeeper could sell as much poisonpus snbsUur? as the farmer rotiuiTcd for his work. He thought they should lie clear about the matter before thev went.anv further. . Jlr; R. B.'D. Jl'l.ean suggesird that the matter should be allowed to stand over until next day to enable further ine|tiiries to be made. This was agreed to. Herd Testing. Jlr. B. Seth-Smith (North Otago) moved that (he conference take' into consideration" the advisability of asking and - escouraging A. and P. societies to establish milking competitions in their several districts. ' ' The mover said he did not know much about the remit. It was in charge of a co-delegate, who was unable to be present on account of illness, so he (tho speaker) put it forward for discussion. Jlr. Hall (Auckland) seconded the motion pro forma. In reply lo a suggestion by a delegate Jlr. Seth-Smith agreed to substitute the words "herd-te«fing competitions" for "milking competitions." The Minister for Agriculture said several testing stations had already been established, and he thought the best, results could be attained if farmers worked in with these. The motion was lost. Agricultural Shows. An interesting paper on agricultural show matters was given by Jlr. Edwin Hall, of Auckland." Complaints wero frequently made, said Jlr. Hall, that agricultural associations had devoted too large a share of their attention to the rnnning of agricultural shows, and that though shows were of great educational viviao'nnd did much to improve the breeding of .stock,' the running ol them should not be the sole aim of an ag. j vicult.iiral society. But. .be. added, it was no uncommon thing for officials, when canvassing for new members to receive refusals on the ground that "thev take no interest in show matters." Jlr. Hall proceeded to indicate briefly a few methods of working that, had proved very successful in other countries, 'and which he thought might with advantage be adopted in New Zealand. The speaker laid special stress on what was done in the way of interesting the young people. In America, for instance, successful educational' work was carried out by organising grain-growing contests among the schools, and rewarding the most successful boys by a free shortcourse at the State Agricultural College. Select seeds were distributed to the school children who competed, with special instruction as to care and culture. Last year in JVisconsin sufficient seeds were sent out to supply about 20,1)00 competitor.?, and over GOOO exhibits were made by the young people, at the .winter shows*. In oaeh country a cash prize was awarded that was large enough to enable the winner to take the young people's course, at tho State Agricultural -CollegeMr. .1. 0. Wilson moved that the Jlinister for Agriculture be asked to secure a research scholarship specially devoted to agriculture, if possible lo embrace a travelling allowance if tho appointee prefers to pursue his investigations in other countries. Supposing, for instance, said Jlr. Wiljon, research found a remedy for the diseases in turnips and rape, it would save the country thousands of pounds at. a comparatively small coet. Mr. Perry (Mostcrton) seconded the-ino-JJJ on * * ■ ■•

: Professor Hilgcndorf did not think Mr. Wilson's siiggc-tion would meet (lie position. Scholarships were already offered by the University for practical .'.scientific work. Tho Minister for Agriculture admitted that tho scheme would be a good one if you could get the men. The motion was 10-t. A hearty vote of thanks was passed to Mr. Hall for his paper, and it was decided to print the paper separately as well as with the proceedings of the conference. On behalf of the. Auckland Association. Mr. Hail moved: "That the. conference consider what steps could be taken to increase the usefulness of agricultural association and agricultural shows." Mr. Okey, Mil'. (Tarnnaki) thought an afternoon could be well spent in discussing Mr. Hall's paper, which was'a'most important o:io .as regards the various societies. Mi-. A. H. Kussell (Hawke's Bay) moved an amendment that this conferer.ee invito A. mud■ P.' Associations to consider how their usefulness may be increased. The amendment was-carried. Improvement of Horses. An address was given by Mr. C. J. Eeakes, Chief Government Veterinarian, on horse-breeding in New Zealand. Mr. Eeakes said the breeding of horses on proper lines, was. a subject worthy oi much more attention in New Zealand than it receives at tho present time, so far as certain aspects of the industry were concerned. As to thoroughbred stock, breeding operations were carried out well, and our best horses of this class would bear comparison as .regards conformation, speed, and constitution, with thoroughbreds anywhere in the world. Still, it must always be home in mind that there was a necessity for exorcising every care to breed thoroughbreds on such linos as are best calculated lo ensurestamina and soundness. In our purebred, stock we had another example of breeding operations being carried out on excellent lines. While many of the draught horses sent out of the country had been of inferior class, a vef> considerable number were of s high standard of quality. A proportion of these were good young mares. Although he (Mr. Menkes) did not believe that, up to the present the exportation of mares had bEon sufficient to deplete our breeding stock to such an extent as' to detrimentally affect the future of the industry, care was necessary henceforth in order to ensure safely in this direction. He proposed next "season to keep a record of the number of mares of this class sent, out of New Zealand. For the year ended .March 31 last, 3387 mares were exported from the various ports, excluding l.yttelton, the figures for which port did not. differentiate between tho sexes. Putting tho Lyttelton total at -100, this would give a grand total of 3757 in all. A good percentage of these, however, were not really ■first-class animals, anil some were well out of the country. Where New Zealand failed most at the present time was in the methods of breeding adopted, generally speaking,,, by the farmers. The farmers, however, could not always afford to he too critical as to the class, soundness, stamina, etc., of tho sire, seeing that they hail to take the services of the horso or horses travelling their district or else incur the' expense of sending their marcs to where a good enough hone was available. There was, however, too noticeable a-lack of proper system in, the operations of many farmers in this direition, :and they could, even taking the disabili- ■ ties, into account,' do much better lhan at present, llcforring to the need for discrimination in selecting mares for breeding, Mr. lieakcs said it was a daugerous -practice to. utilise' for breeding ;purposes an old maro which had become] unfit for work, through lameness, for in-] stance, which might be due to a defect, jliablo to he transmitted lo her offspring. 'It. was, however, to tho stallions that ;we must look principally for .future improvement in tho class of our horses, and it was Tcally highly necessary that every man who breeds oiie or more foals yearly should exercise judgment in selecting the best bred, best constitutioncd, and soundest stallion available of the type required. India as a Market, ' It was to be regretted that New; Zealand had as yet no outside market of any value for' lighter classes of horses, seeing that a export trade would stimulate breeding on good lines and create, what might soon become a profitable branch of the pastoral industry. Australian breeders found a good market in India, and ho saw no ro.-i.son why New Zealand should not participate in this, provided that those undertaking the business 'carried it out on sound lines. He was convinced that, a paying market for New Zealand horses could be found in India if tho trade were in the hands of good niMi, possessed of ample capital, thorough knowledge, and business capacitj-.. The Indian Army authorities paid '&!•> per head all round for both cnvalry aud artillery lidr'icsTa'nd'fiesides this there was a profitable private market for good hacks, hunters, carriage horses, and polo ponies. .New Zea.lo.nd horses already, possessed a good reputation in India, and it only needed business acumen and capital to expand tho business, which was at present limited to one small annual shipment. The' whole question of brooding in New Zealand required careful consideration, for ■■ while on the ono hand our horses, generally speaking, we.ro good, yet, on the. other, outside the best stock bred by 'the good breeders, wo had too many weedy animals, and too little attention was paid to typo .and conformation, and as regards our' purebred animals we had' reached a stage where tho question of hereditary unsoundness must ba dealt with practically and effectively, especially .as regards draught horses, which constituted our most valuable slock, from a . commercial standpoint. Tho means by. which he considered this question of hereditary unsoundness should bo dealt with was by a legislative enactment providing for the licensing of ail stallions used for genera] stud purposes, other than thoroughbreds registered in the New Zealand Stud Book, and stallions for use with their owners' mares only. The Bill he proposed to deal with the matter of hereditary unsoundness was then outlined by Mr. Eeakes, as stated previously. In this connection the Otago Association moved: "That a proper system of examination of stallions for hereditary unsoundness is necessary in New Zealand. Such systems should not be of an entirely voluntary nature, but should be based on the lines suggested by the Chief Veterinarian at the last Agricultural Conference."

Jlr. H. V. Fulton, in moving the motion, read a letter from a breeder in favour of inspection. Breeders in Olago, said Mr. Fulton, were heartily in sympathy wilh M.r. Re.ikes's suggestions. Mr. Marshall (Southland) also supported the proposal. Mr. Reid and several other delegates 'congratulated Mr. Menkes on his address. The mol ion was' carried. It was decided, on the motion of" Mr. J..G. Wilson, that it is desirable to pass the Bill into law this session if possible. Miscellaneous Motions. The Jlasterton Association moved that, the conference affirms the desirability of establishing a. Royal Society. A committee, consisting of Messrs. Rutherford. Jlacfarlaue. Russell, Conway, Wilson, Orboll, Hall, and Perry, was set mi to gi; into certain detail matter in the hands of (ho Mnsterton delegates, and report to the conference later. . 'the Oxford Association moved: "That in compliance with the A. and l'. Societies Act of 1577, newly-formed A. an;l I*. Associations should lie more liberally assisted by the Government than at present, either by money grants, or land endowments. ' After a lengthy discussion tho motion was tost. The Waik ato Association moved:— That the A. and P. Societies Act be amended to give associations further powers of dealing with the purchase money of lands sold, making them a leasing authority. The •motion was carried. Jlr. Hall (Auckland) moved:—That Hie Railway .Department, be asked t<> simplify the railway certificates for show stock. The remit was carried. .11 was decided, on the motion of the Waikato and Taranaki Associations:— Thai: the tiovernment be rrquoslrxl to bring in such legislation as may bo necessary to give relief from luxation lo Agricultural and Pastoral Association-.

The Aufklaiul 'Association moved:— That the Minister for Ajjrieull-urn be requested in established a sy-.lem ef senciiiiK '.ml travelling ea?es conlniniu;: specimens of weeds, and benolicial and noxious insect.-*, etc.. to be deposited, l'»r a time, at the. rooms of the agricultural aesotintions in diifor-rnt tenlies through' out tho Dominion,

Mr. J', i I'iipc. secretary of the Agricultural Department, remarked that the. Department iiinl a M-lieine under Hay at |iie.-'tuf mid lie thought the conference could lake it that, something would .be I dime. In answer 1» a riucstion Mi-. I'npo said I lie smaller .societies were not being lost sight of. The motion was tarried. II was decide;!, on Ihe .motion of the ; Auckland Association. I hat the various associations lluiiuglmul' New -Zealand adopt n uniform standard for prize tickets and rilju-:>n= at shows. A motion by I lie J-'eilding Association thai it be a'recommendation lo the A. and I'. Associations Hint all judging of sheep be done on points, was lost after a short discussion. The Kgmont Association moved that steps be taken by the conference to fix dak"; of shows. The matter was referred to the committee which has in hand the prnpn.-al la form i L'oyal Society. 11 was decided ll.at the various' A, mid P. Associations should have . the sole right to appoint judges. - - - Ilriof addresses in favour of pasteurisation' were delivered by Mr. 1). (,'uddie ami Mr. C. J. lieakes of the Agricultural Department. The conference decided that A: and P. Associations be asked to do all in their power to further the adaption of pasteurisation of all 'milk' and whev in the dairy factories and creameries. Mr. Pemberton iCan(orbnrv) moved — That, the placed animals in the breeding classes of draught horses should 1m passed as freo from hereditary unsoundness by a veterinary surgeon before the prizes are allotted. The motion was carried. The Taranaki Association (Mr. Okev) moved :-*-That the Government.' should inspect all stallions and bulls before thev are used for stud purposes with the olijeet of keeping, stock free from disease or unsoundness. Mr. C. .7. Reakes said lie had given this matter a rood deal of attention of late. If he could devise any reasonable arid practical way of assisting farmers in this respect hp. would do so. If was decided that the official list, of show judges be again revised. The conference will resume at !U0 this morning.