Ellesmere A.& P. Association.

Ellesmere Guardian, Volume XXI, Issue 2091, 30 September 1899, Page 3

Ellesmere A.& P. Association.

Lectures on ' Fruit Culture ' by Mr Fitch, Government Pomologist, and on ' Poultry ' by Mr Hyde, Government Poultry Expert. Despite the very uncompromising state of the weather on Monday afternoon last, a very fair muster of members and others were present at the A. and P. meeting. Town Hall, Leoston. The vice-president, Mr W. F. M. Buckley (m tho absence of the president) presided, and the following routine business was transacted. Five new members, viz., Mes«ra T. A. Askew, W. Young, W. Lpchhead, A Cooper, and Master Geo. Osborne were elected. The motion standing m the name of Mr D MoMillan, re-allowing members to be elected at general committee meetings as well as general meetings, was formally moved by the mover, seconded by Mr T. B. Howson, and carried. The motion, m the name of Mr Osborne, re the admission of junior members under the a^e of 21, on the annual subscription of 10s male, 5s female members, was moved, and Dr. Withers seconded tho motion, which was duly carried. The committee reported to the meeting that arrangements hid been made to add a Juvenile Industrial Class at the show, and for Mr Sandford, the Government Instructor m Technical Education, to take charge thereof ; also that a large number of entries had been promised for this new department. The committee further reported that the suni of £112 had been promised for special prizes, which would be proportionately distributed among the various departments. Also that especial provisions had been taken to properly display the exhibits m the Poultry and Dairy Produce Classes. After transacting the foregoing business the chairman introduced to the members, Mr Fitch, Government Pomologist. Mr Fitch read an address, which cohered the main points of the fruit-crowing industry, commencing his address with the selection of the classes of fruit which can be profitably grown m Canterbury, apples, of course, being the chief and staple product. Mr Fitch dealt on/the importance of chosing a suitable site, and of making that site as near the orchardist's ideal as possible. He suggested the best class of shelter trees to plan*; the importance of getting near a market or means of exportation ; the importance of selecting dry warm soil; the importance of planting the fruit trees m a commonsense manner, both as regards the position of the roots and the room alloted to each tree; also the folly of dabbling m too many varieties of fruits, and the necessity to pay proper attention to the trees to help to eradicate the various blights to which they are subject. Mr Fitch gave a description of the best known remedies to eradicate both fungus and insect blights.and the best methods of applying the same. The address was a very well-thought-out resume of the industry and was Well received. On concluding his remark!*, a number of gentlemen availed themselvesof the invitation to ask questions, all 6f which were satisfactorily answered. Mr D. D. Hyde, the Government Poultry Expert, then ascpndnd the platform, and gHve a really interesting and instructive address on the breeding, rear* ing, and marketing of poultry and egg*. Mr Hyde expressed the opinion that the poultry industry is one tint, until the last two or threo years, has been unaccountably neglected. Before concluding hia address, he quoted figures which proved that beyond any measure of.comparison, the poultry industry was the most important of-jiny m the United States 5 also that there, is no industry which yields such hanj&sjcjmV profits for the amount of capital invested. Ho stated that lasfc y<?ar the purchases by Great #rfoain; alone for poultry and egzs exceeded five millions sterling. Mr Hyde enlivened his address Jfy recounting some of his experiences m visiting the place* of some of the nlleped poultry 'farms' of- .New Zealand. He gave a very full explanation of »he bent breeds of pouiL-y for Canterbury breeders, to raise, als > of ihe utility and economy of the use of ineuJbators. where poultry raising- was carried on to any extent. Mr Hyde gave capable replies to correspondence which had appeared nv,i« the s:gnalure of a Mr. Beck, M.E., which, he described as the greatc=t twaddle he had ever read, several questions were asked and satisfactorily ansvvt?red, ami a he.irty vnte of thanks, proposed by Mr 1). McMillan, an-1 seconded by Mr Alex. McLachlan, w>.s carried by acclamation. The meeting then dispersed.