LIVE QUESTIONS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXI, Issue 6871, 15 July 1909, Page 3

LIVE QUESTIONS

PROGRESSIVE FARMERS’ UNIONIST At the last meeting of the Elth'am branch of the Farmers’ Union a member introduced two. subjects-- which are the foundation stones of Taranaki’s future success, as ‘ they ar© of every dairying district in the Dominion—maiju.ial -.vpenments (especially in connection with the top-dressing of pastures) and co-operative cow-testing associations. These are matters which the Farmers" Union could further' with credit to itself and advantage to its members and the country.’ The’ progressive member of the Eltham br’anch in question was Mr Sergei. In introducing the question of, manurml experiments Mr Sergei said that he would like to see some united action by members of the branch in carrying out experiments that would ' cover a period of, say, two or three years. Tho providing of fodder for cattle was now getting a serious matter and no doubt farmers would have to make the best of tho land. He himself had been exporimenting for some time and he was satisfied that he was, well repaid for his trouble, but he thought it would be much better, if, say, three or four were to unite and compare notes on the matter, He moved: "That the provincial executive be asked to send circulars to all branches urging them to carry out manorial experiments and pointing out the great benefit to be derived." This was agreed to. In bringing up the matter.of testing herds, Mr Sergei said he thought -the branch should move in the direction of getting the directorate of the dairy factory to introduce a system of testing each cow’s milk.