WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

New Zealand Herald, Volume XXXIII, Issue 10124, 6 May 1896, Page 6

WAIKATO FARMERS CLUB.

The monthly meeting of the club was held at Cambridge on Monday night, when there were present Messrs. Jos. Gane (president, in the chair), R. Fisher (vice-presi-dent), James Anderson, John Fisher, James Forrest, H. Gillett, W. Tucker, G. Keeley, Gray, Freeman, Jones, Runciman, R. Reynolds, C. A. Davis, Geo. Runciman, Irvine, E. Allon, F. Gane, Empsou, J. Fisher, inn., S. B. 0. Smith, Hartly, T. Wells, Edgecumbe, W. A. Graham, Captain Runcimau. The president apologised for the absence of the secretary, Mr, Butler, through sickness. Mr. N. J. Hunt was elected a member of the club. The Hon. A. J. Cadmnn forwarded a letter received by him from the Assets Realisation Board with reference to the freezing arrangements at the Auckland works. The Chairman, Mr. Todd, stated that the Board had no proprietory interest in the Freezing Works, and the circular did not emanate from them. The idea that the company was endeavouring to make a " corner" in fat sheep was too ridiculous to need refutation. The president said it was satisfactory to get this information, Some pamphlets were received, one on the subject of the Canaigre plant, which is adapted for tanning purposes. Information as to the cultivation of the plant was included in the information. The President said he understood from Mr. W. S. Laurie, who had received a consignment of the seed for distribution, that it was well adapted for growing on most of the Waikato lands. The President said the pamphlets would have to be returned to Mr. Laurie, but he hoped the farmers would understand something of the nature of the proposed industry. He moved that a vote of_ thanks lie accorded to Mr. Laurie for his kindness. Mr. Forrest, iu seconding the motion, said it would be necessary to get the co-operation of the tanners in Auckland. If the farmers grew the roots there should be something in the nature of a guarantee, He, scarcely thought the industry would pay. Messrs. John Fisher and Tucker, thought the plant would be a very dangerous root to introduce, as it appeared to be ineradicable, The President thought there would be no harm in trying the plant, or in getting further information. The motion was carried. The President reported that the Executive had mot and had decided that last year's schedule for the root show be adopted this year. i He moved that the report be adopted. Mr. Forrest seconded and suggested that a prize be added for tho best pair of pumpkins. This was agreed to, and several other minor alterations were made in tho schedule. A proposition was made that the «how should bo made self-supporting, but it was decided that It would bo too risky to proceed without mikbjg an appeal to the public, The

motion was accordingly withdrawn, and Messrs. Forrest, Anderson, and Allen were appointed canvassers. Captain Runciman then read his premised paper on "The Culture of Sugar Beet." He commenced by pointing out that under present arrangements 'the farmers would grow the roots with an absolute certainty of getting a fixed price as soon as they had matured. This was a condition not. obtaining in any other branch of rural industry. It was, moreover, an industry which large and small landowners could engage in with equal hopes of success. In goiug round the district for the guarantee, he was surprised to tiud that the greatest ignorance prevailed with regard to the cultivation of the root. He would be glad, therefore, to give all the information in his power, feeling sure, from his own long experience, nothing but negligence would prevent success. He referred to the method of planting, which conld be undertaken by children. There were tens of thousands of acres of land in Waikato that would grow twenty tons to the acre. He then gave practical instructions as tc the ploughing and other cultivation, the sowing, amount of seed, manuring, transplanting, weeding, etc. , etc. He said it had been agreed by experts that the conditions in this colony, or this part of the- colony, were superior to those obtaining in European and other countries where beet had been grown. The colony requires 30,000 tons of sugar and not one ton was grown here. Sugar to the value of £390,000 per annum was imported from other countries to supply our wants. The proposed industry would not interfere with the present work of the farm, but on the contrary, would greatly increase the fertility of our soil, The industry would mean the circulation of £400,000 a year, and would provide profitable and honourable employment for their children. The district had been goiug through a period of depression, which ought not to have existed, if they had taken up this industry. He gave, in tabular form, some estimates of the cost of cultivation, harvesting, carting, etc., m "New Zealand and other countries. Captain Runciman produced a number of specimen roots, which were considered to be very satisfactory. The yield was over thirty tons to the acre at an average of 3jlb to the root, or taking the average of the roots shown, over forty tons. The largest root was 7iib and the smallest ljlb. The essayist also quoted from various pamphlets on the subject, seat from California and elsewhere, also an essay on sugar beet, written at the request of Mr. Hugh Craig by Dr. Koebig, Mr. W. A. Graham said he was quite I satisfied about the bona-b'des of Messrs. Douglas and Leweuberg, and the latter had gone home in the full faith that the farmers were going on with the preparation of the land. The farmers should know that there were assurances that if the capital was not forthcoming through Mr. Lewenberg, it would &me from other quarters. But he had no anxiety whatever on account of Mr. Lewenberg. That gentleman still hoped to be able to save the present season. He hoped that the farmers wouli take no step which would have the effect of throwing doubts upon the prospects of the industry. Mr. Wells said Mr. Douglas had told him that there was uot a doubt of tha industry going on. Mr. Graham said all Mr. Douglas' doubts were in respect of saving this season. There was no doubt whatever about the ultimate sjccrss of the undertaking. The syndicate we;e working as hard as they could, and the farmers should assist them by placing themselves in a position to be able to sow this season if the r.achiuery could be sent out. The PresiiWnt hoped the farmers would make preparations. If the season could not be saved, the land so prepared could be used for other crops. After some further discussion, the meeting closed with votes of thanks to Captain Run-jiman, and to the gentlemen who had assisted him in preparing his paper.— Correspondent.]