FARMERS CONFER

Evening Post, Volume XCVI, Issue 16, 18 July 1918, Page 2

FARMERS CONFER

COUNCIL OF AGRICULTURE

THE CONFERENCE RESUMED

Tho deliberations of the Council of Agriculture were resumed this morning, Mr. G. A. Mac Donald (Orari) presiding. Further discussion was given to the remits from Masterton and Waikato (partly considered, last evening) having for their object, the institution of more drastic control of the rabbit pest. Mr. G. H. Andrew (Marlborough) moved an amendment to tho first remit, urging the prohibition of the export of preserved rabbits and rabbit skins. Sir Wa-ltcr Buchanan said that where the natural 'enemies of the rabbits— stoats, weasels, cats, etc.—were allowed free play there was very' little trouble. In this direction,- and not by trapping, was the way to success. Certainly the export of rabbits should be stopped. The amendment was lost. Dr. C. J. Eeakes referred to the amendments to the Act, which had thrown a greater onus on the inspectors. S He' felt satisfied that the Act in its prej.sent foi-m would never be effective in ! coping with the pest. The Manterton remit, "That the Agricultural Department be asked to take steps to keep the rabbit pest within bounds," was carried. Mr. J. A. . Young, M.P. (Waikato), disagreed with the idea that _ natural enemies of the pent were sufficient to effectively cope with it. He advocated the use of wire netting, but spoke of the expense and difficulty of getting it in war time. Mr. Young- advocated more extended rating by .amoudment in the' Act,. but with no., further subsidy on rates than the 3-16 of a penny as at present provided under Part 111. of the Act, and with powers to borrow for rabbit-proof fencing. The area .over which a board may be created should, he suggested, be reduced to 500 acres or more. The Waikato amendment (as published on another page) was carried unanimously. . A VALUABLE CROP.

"Lucerne Growing" was the subject of an interesting paper read by Mr. A. Miicpherson, Supervisor Fields Division, Department of Agriculture, Christchilrch. He laid great stress •on the value of lucerne as a forage plant, characterised by being the possessor of a large quantity of nitrogenous matter. Other plants were nitrogen consumers, and consequently made the soil poorer.. Lucerne, a deepfeeding . plant, was known to scientific agriculture as the greatest fertilising plant. Its deep roots drew moisture to the soil, rendering it more valuable for other crops whose roots did not penetrate the soil so easily. The range of soils on which lucerne would grow was immense, and the suitability of the soil for the purpose should not be judged by the top, but rather by the subsoil, the roots penetrating tho. latter so quickly. Mr. Macpherson gave some interesting details of the results of experiments in raising lucerne, and was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his paper.

STUD STOCK. Remits dealing with stud stock ,wero next dealt with. Mr. G. H. Andrews (Marlborcmgh) moved : "That it be a recommendation tothe Government that, instead of submitting surplus young herd bulls to auction, an upset price be placed upon them, and they bo balloted for, a proportion of such being allotted to dif-. fereht'^districts indicating their . desire to obtain such animals." The remit was seconded by Mr. Pike (jMarlborough). Mr. F. S. Pope explained the reasons for the present system, and expressed-: the hope that the remit/ would not be passed. • The. remit was lost.

Mr. JH. G. Lewis (Wanganui) then moved as follows :—"That registered herd and flock associations make arrangements for the periodical inspection of all registered herds and flocks belonging to their respective societies, iind any herd or flock which, after careful inspection and due consideration with regard to general conditions is in the opinion of the inspector being neglected and consequently deteriorating, the same may be expunged from its respective herd or flock book." Mr. C. G. Russoll (Nukumaru) seconded tho remit. Some opposition was expressed to the proposal,' and the remit was withdrawn. ■ . : (Proceeding.) '