RONGOTEA

Manawatu Standard, Volume LVII, Issue 8, 8 December 1936, Page 12

RONGOTEA

(From Our Own Correspondent.) RONGOTEA, Dec. 5

It Jias been said that llio farmer of the future will be a scientifically trained man. lie .will rank intellectually, socially, and financially with the physician, engineer, and other members of learned professions. Whether this will be so remains to be seen, but for the present it can bo said that the Young Farmers' Club movement provides a stepping stone to junior farmers seeking to obtain this status. Here is an opportunity that never existed before to met and discuss the hundred and one problems of modern (arm practice, farm management, breeding, cropping, seed selection, and many other details come up for review. And so it is a hopeful sign that the final meeting for the year of the Rongolea Club, on Friday evening, with Mr G. Burgess presiding, was one of the best yet. Tho secretary (Mr J. Gloyn) had prepared a list of subjects for impromptu talks, tho opening one being taken by Mr 11. J. Lancaster, who dealt with milk fever, reviewing the symptoms and means of remedying Ihe trouble. During tho spring a heifer in Mr Lancaster's herd developed milk "fever, this being the first instance of a heifer doing so that he he could recall in his lifty years' experience with dairy herds. Inflating tho udder with air had proved a sure cure in all cases that had come under his notice. In some instances ho also advocated the use of paraffin oil as a drench; threo bottles provide three doses, to be given at intervals of twelve hours. Mr i\l. Lind (former winner of the Stuart Wilson Cup) spoke on mangold growing, and detailed factors that make for success. Mr G. Burgess followed with a brief talk on "Does It Pay to Use Certified Seed, and Why?" handling the subject in a clear manner, and imparting some useful information. Mr 11. Brown was allotted "Common Weeds and How to Eradicate Them." Drawing on personal experience in England, Taranaki, and the Manawalu, he dealt with the topic in a practical way and showed that such weeds are blackberry, ragwort, and Californian thistle were very difficult to exterminate. Members entered mojt fret ly into the -discussion on the various questions, and as t.imo did not permit go ing fuiiy into thoin, there is material to provide a programme for a future meeting. Mr Lancaster heartily congratulated members on their efforts, and said it gave him great pleasure to see young men display such ability in debate. Correspondence was read from the Department of Agriculture giving outlines of an essay competition arranged by the Manawatu Jersey Breeders' Club, to be known as the S. *R. Lancaster memorial essay competition, for a challenge shield donated, by the club to be held for one year. The winner also receives a memorial medal and threo. guineas. The next meeting will bo held in February, when Mr N. Boyd, dairy instructor, is to be invited to give an address. On Friday evening a euchre party was held at the home of Mr and Mrs A. C. Fades, of Rongotea, when a most enjoyable timo was spent. The prizewinners were Miss M. Fyfc and Mr M. Gardner; consolation, Mrs Fyfo and Mr Churchill. Tennis ladder games played recently resulted as follow: —Mrs R. Scott beat Miss M. Slattery. 7—5; Miss G Fades beat Miss A. Buchanan. 7—o; Mrs W. Davison beat Miss Fvfe, 7 —4 ; Miss Caverhill beat Miss G. "Fades, 7—l; Miss W. Amies beat Mrs A. Jessop, 7 —o; Miss J. George beat Miss W. Amies, 7 —l; Mrs R. Mcintosh beat Miss G. Fades, 7 6; Miss R. Taylor beat Miss D. Swanger, 7—2; Mrs Mcintosh beat Mrs Jessop, 7 3; Miss F. Knox beat Miss S. Knox, 7 0; Miss J. Fades beat Miss Fyfc, 7 —6; Miss A. Fraser beat Mrs J. Claasen, 7 —o; Miss A. Fraser beat Miss K. Taylor, 7—4; Mrs Scott beat Miss Buchanan, 7—3; Miss G. Fades beat Mrs R. Aird, 7—2; Miss Fraser bejt Mrs Fades, 3 0 ; Miss Slattery beat Miss George, 7—6; Miss G. Fades beat Miss Fyfc, 7—2; Miss J. Fades beat Mrs Davison, 7—3; Miss J. Fades beat Miss G. Fades. 7—3; Mrs l Davison beat Miss Fyfe, 7—4. A. Stephens beat L. Amey, 7 —6; K. Amies beat F. Chapman, 7—5.