COUNTRY NEWS.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXVI, Issue 9467, 11 September 1889, Page 6

COUNTRY NEWS.

[BY TELEGRAPH. — OWS COIiREaPOST>EHTS.] .■■-. Cambridge, Tuesday. At a meeting of the Farmers' Clnb, Mr. Anderson moved. "That bags should be charged instead of weighed in." The mover stated that up to last year it was customary in : Chnstchurch to weigh in sacks, bat last year it was decided to charge for bags. "Ho instanced several cases recently " where bags were weighed in by Auckland merchant*, because not previously stipulated by sellers that bafts should be paid /or. Mr. Forrest seconded the motion, and said that if baj:s were charged for it, would mean £1100 annually as the price for bags, , whereas if weighed in only £333 would he obtained. Mr. Clark stated that the Northern Flour Hills had adopted the rule to pay for sacks. The resolution was carried. _It was resolved that copies of the foregoing: resolution be forwarded to the Chamber of Commerce and Farmers.'-Clubs in the Auckland Province, inviting their co-operation. Resolved, on the motion of Mr. Forrest, "That members of the Club pledge themselves not to sell corn or chaff unless the bags are paid for.' Mr. J. Fisher gave the result of several experiments which he had made with fertilizers. He found that under similar conditions the Freezing Company's 10 per cent, superphosphate pave results equal to Lawes' . )->6 per cent. Various experiments were made, all with similar results. Guano or bonedust was used with superphosphate. Mr. Forrest said this result was most peculiar, and he could not understand it. Mr. Fisher said neither could he understand the result. Mr. W. L. C. Williams gave -his: experience, which was that better results were obtained at Lichfield by using the Freezing Company's manure as against bonedust. Mr. Wells said that fchb question of soil wanted consideration. Did not Mr. Mclvor recommend bonednst with White Island sulphur ? He concluded from the results given that evening that superphosphate was r not the manure beet suited to Waikato lands. After some further discussion, which plainly showed the necessity which existed for a more scientific study of the subject in order to obtain goal results, a vote of thanks was accorded to Mr. Fisher for his address and information contained therein. The secretary was instructed to write to Mr. Galbraith inquiring what fees he charged for making analyses of manures ami soils. The question of the secretary's salary came up for discussion. Mr. Forrest proposed that the secretary's salary for the first year bo ten guineas. Mr. Wells said the club were fortunate in securing Mr. Tuck's services even at twice the salary named. The club's business would always bo attended to in a businees-like, methodical manner by Mr. Tuck. Mr. Forrest's; motion was seconded by Mr. Allen, and carried unanimously. Mr. Forrest gave notice that at the next meeting he would introduce; the subject of the desirability or otherwise of establishing an agricultural college for Waikato. Mr. F. Hides notified that he would read a paper at next meeting on the subject of ineatfreezing in Auckland. The Musical and Literary Society's second meeting, at St. Paul's .Schoolroom, was a success, there being a large attendance. The chair was occupied by the Rev. M Garland. Mr. H. B. Hyatt Rave an instructive and interesting lecture on the geological history of the Waikato river, followed with experiments with oxygen. Two instrumental selections were given by Misses Nixon and Gane, and a song by Mr. Cudworth. A very pleasant and instructive evening was spent.