THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23219, 17 June 1937, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS.

Item* «f Interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuit*, with a view to their publication in these columns, wall be welcomed. They shsndd be addressed to Rusticus, Otago Daily Times, Dunedin,

SHEEP DOG TRIALS OTAGO PROVINCIAL ASSOCIATION Sheep dog trials under the auspices of the Otago Provincial Sheep Dog Association have been arranged as follows for the 1937 season:— Tuapeka—June 23 and 24.

TOPICS OF INTEREST

OFFICIAL, NOTES

A man had fainted, and was lying on the pavement surrounded by the usual crowd, when an old farmer arrived on the scene and, pushing his way through the onlookers, saw what was amiss, and having in mind the treatment in the case of a fallen horse, called out, "Don’t hit him, don’t hit him; sit on his head!’’

Congratulations to Mr R. H. Michelle (Milton), who was elected president o£ the Otago Provincial Council, New Zealand Farmers’ Union, at the conference last week. Mr Michelle has been associated with the Farmers’ Union for many years, and is recognised in the Milton district as one of its most experienced farmers. He will, therefore, bring to the council that practical experience of farming problems that is so necessary in these rapidly-changing days. Good wishes for a successful term of office were freely given at the and will be heartily endorsed by farmers throughout the province.

Colonel Closey is at present conducting a series of meetings in North Otago, and will later carry on the campaign for the furtherance of the compensating price plan in Canterbury. The Dominion organiser, Mr J. H. Furniss, paid a hurried visit recently to the south, and reported that interest is spreading and support is forthcoming from all classes of farmers. To such an extent is this the case that never before have all types of farmers been so closely united in a movement which is a truly national,one.

* * * Our, grateful thanks are due to Mr J. Himburg, of Messrs Charles Begg and Co., for his action in once again providing an orchestra for our entertainment at the annua! social gathering. Mr Himburg’s action involves no small work on his park, and we can assure him that the kindly spirit In which he has undertaken this work, and has provided music for our entertainment, is greatly appreciated by all.

The June meeting of the Waikouaiti branch, N.Z.F.U., was held at Merton, ,when there was a' lair attendance, considering the state of the weather. In the absence of the president (Mr A. Wilson, Flag Swamp), Mr A. Orbell occupied the chair. Correspondence was read in connection with the Boot Crop Competition, for which 10 entries were received, and it was arranged for the judging to take place in the middle of June, This would be carried out by officers of the Department of Agriculture, and an invitation to attend was extended to all interested, . , • It was decided to hold the meeting at Merton on the third Wednesday of every third month. - A vote of thanks,, moved by Mr A. Reid, to the ladies who supplied supper, was carried by acclamation.

The live stock division of the Department of Agriculture has made arrangements to extend the facilities tor the treating by vaccination of ewes against pulpy kidney, and supplies of vaccine can now be obtained from the Veterinary Laboratory at Wallaceville, Wellington. The vaccine is packe’d In containers holding 500 cc at 7s, IOOOcc at 12s od, and 2500 cc at 21s 0d each, plus the small additional charge to cover the cost of handling and freight, Any farmer requiring this vaccine should place his order direct with the officer in charge, Veterinary Laboratory, per private bag, Wallacevule, Wellington, and all orders must be accompanied by cash. An account of the trials already carried out In Nev/ Zealand is given in the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture for May, 1936, and February, 1937, A demonstration of the technique of vaccination may be arranged for at a convenient farm with the co-operation of the owner to Interested purchasers of the vaccine in certain districts during the month of June.

The conference just past has been notable for the many well-known visitors who attended, and particular pleasure was expressed at the presence of the Dominion president, Mr W. W . Mulholland (Darfield. Canterbury) and the Dominion secretary, Mr A. P. O’Shea, Members of the executive were also given several opportunities of discussing Otago problems with the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee MarOn the concluding afternoon Mr Mulholland gave a, most interesting address on the main points of the Farmers’ Union platform. He pointed out that, although the original platform met the needs of the particular time when it was drawn up, conditions had somewhat changed, and the platform had to be altered from time to time to meet the rapidly changing conditions. . In dealing with the question of the union’s co-operation with dther primary producing organisations, the speaker said that the union strongly supported co-operation, where such cooperation would enable farmers to produce and market their products more economically. The Farmers’ Union welcomed co-operation jn such matters as evolving the best possible method of farm finance or with such problems as the marketing of primary produce The union, however, opposed the tendency of the State to take the control nut of the hands of the farmers and make itself the solo arbitrator as to how and where the farmers’ products were to be sold. The address was listened to with the ■almost attention and obvious appreciation. At the recent social gathering held in Dutndin to delegates to the provincial conference of the Farmers’ Union and Women’s Division a humorous incident

occurred which was appreciated hy everyone in the group, and particularly by the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin.

The subject under discussion was guaranteed prices versus compensated prices. A well-known Stirling farmer told the Minister that he did not think much of guaranteed prices, as they had not proved,very beneficial to him. The Minister replied, “ Well, I am a dairy farmer, and my returns this year are better than they were last year,’’ “ Mine would be better, too,” replied the Stirling man, amid laughter, “if I had a Ministerial salary to put into the kitty.” * ■{• v-

A very fitting conclusion to the conference of the Farmers’ Union and the Women’s Division took place in the Concert Chamber of the Town Hall when delegates were entertained at a social function.

Dui’ing the evening a visit was paid by his Excellency the GovernorGeneral (Viscount Galway), who was accompanied by his Worship the Mayor (the Rev. E. T. Cox) and Mrs Cox. and an opportunity was given to many of those present to meet his Excellency. A very fine musical programme was given, and a general atmosphere of friendliness and good fellowship was created by the grouping of the guests in such a manner that everyone was made to feel completely at home. Mrs William Elliot, provincial president of the Women’s Division, extended a welcome to all the visiting delegates, and expressed pleasure at having in the gathering Mr W. Lee Martin (the Minister of Agriculture) and Mrs Martin. Mr R. H. Michelle, the newlyelected president of the Farmers’ Union, also spoke, and emphasised the growing interest in the work of the farmers, who had increasing difficulties to face. The whole function was a credit to the organisers, and many tributes have been paid since to the manner in which the function was conducted.

A large and representative deputation waited on the Minister of Agriculture, Mr Lee Martin, on Friday last to place before him the desirability of establishing a Government training and experimental farm in Otago and Southland.

The deputation referred to the Minister’s recent statements that the Government intended to increase the facilities in New Zealand for agricultural research. It stressed the fact that the North Island was well catered for in this respect, and that already several Government training farms existed, whereas in the South Island the only Government establishment was at Lincoln College. It was pointed out that the peculiar problems of Otago and Southland justified the deputation in asking that, if another experimental or training farm was established, it should be established in this particular area. In replying, the Minister outlined what the Government had been doing In co-ordinating the work of the existing farms, and expressed regret that research activities had been curtailed during the depression. He had asked for a report from the fields superintendent of the department in Dunedin (Mr J. M. Smith), Indicating how he considered the question should be approached, and assured the deputation that he would do what was possible to obtain the favourable consideration of Cabinet. USEFUL STATE SERVICE WORK OF FIELDS DIVISION REVIEW OF CURRENT ACTIVITIES PROGRESS IN OTAGO AND SOUTHLAND During recent years much progress has been made in farming practice, and the work of the fields division of the Department of Agriculture has been no small factor in this progress. Created some 20 years ago, this division of the department was brought into being to assist the farmer in his many field problems, and to investigate the possibilities and probabilities of various scientific findings of overseas research workers and see whether such findings were applicable to the conditions as they existed in this country. That the service .that the fields division offers to the farmer is appreciated is evidenced by the ever-increasing demand for the services of the instructional staff, and probably in no other district in this country is the demand as keen as in Otago and Southland. It is commonly said that the farmers of the south are conservative, but a wrong interpretation is frequently placed on this term, in that it is thought to mean that the southern farmers are not progressive. Actually they are progressive, but are “ canny ” in their progress. They do not, and rightly so, accept everything said and written for granted, but are prepared to listen, reason and try anything out if it seems sound in practice and application, In common with other districts, the officers of the fields division in Otago and Southland are sound, practical men, who are capable of distinguishing between the theoretical and non-applic-able agriculture on the one hand and sound, economical farm practice methods on the other. CO-OPERATIVE EXPERIMENT One of the main activities of the division is in connection with co-operat-ive experimental and demonstration work. It is recognised that any new methods, varieties, etc., that may be evolved in the laboratory or on the small plot require to be tried out under field conditions. This is where an experimental farm becomes a real necessity, and in the south much developmental work could be carried out on such a farm, the lack of which is a definite handicap to field workers. This does not prove a real bar to' experimental work, however, for thanks to the generous cooperation of the farmers it has been possible to carry out very extensive work over a wide range of conditions. In many ways this is an advantage in that any now practices, etc., can bo subjected to the varying conditions mot with throughout Otago and Southland, and are not limited to the one set of conditions as they would be were they to be carried out in their entirety on one farm. The ideal thing, however, is to have an experimental farm for the detailed work and to carry on the cooperative trials as at present, to confirm (or otherwise) the detailed work. At the present time the fields division have 210 co-operative experimental trials throughout the length mid breadth of Otago and Southland, where various problems are being dealt with These are mainly on farmers’ properties, although extensive work is being done on the Winton Experimental Farm in Southland. The bulk of these trials are in connection with pasture problems, and this is only to be expected in view of the importance of pastures to this country. Sixty-seven trials are in connection with the topdressing of pastures where various manures at varying rates are being tried out to determine the economics of top-dressing. Some 30 additional experiments are tn connection with grass and clover strains. It is recognised that there is a big difference between various strains of pasture plants, but that there is a distinct possibility of one strain proving successful in one district while an-

other may prove better in another ] district. This makes the extensive ] trials in this connection an absolute ] necessity. Various other grass trials deal with such matters as pasture establishment, grazing practices, the use of new varieties, and the inoculation of clovers, all matters of vital importance in the interests of successful farming. The matter of forage crops is also given consideration, and there are 13 co-operative trials in this connection, where various new crops and new varieties of existing crops are being tried out. An additional 34 trials deal with potato and root crops, and here again new varieties are being tested, while the value of various manures and manure mixtures is being determined. Experiments with cereals are being carried out on 16 farms, mainly in North Otago, while there are also trials in connection with weed control and other miscellaneous matters. SEED CERTIFICATION Another work of importance to the farming community that is being carried out by the fields division is in connection with seed certification. The object of this work is to separate the seeds of good quality and worth as far as productivity is concerned, from the inferior lines and types. For instance, in connection with ryegrass, which is one of the most important, if not the most important, of pasture plants, there exist in this country a multiplicity of types of varying degrees of excellence, and the object of certification is to make available to the farmer those lines of seed which have a known high standard of production. Again with potatoes it is known that various virus diseases have a depressing effect upon yield, depressing to such an extent that the crop may prove quite unprofitable. These virus diseases do not appear in the tubers themselves, and apparently sound tubers may be heavily infected A system of field inspection and plot work is introduced so that during the growing period crops may be classified and registered according to their freedom from virus disease, and only those crops reaching a certain standard of cleanliness are accepted and certified. Variety impurities are also taken into account in connection with certification of all crops. With wheat the purpose of certification is to obtain crops free from smut and other disease and to maintain a high standard of variety purity. Brown top isfinspected and, where accepted, is certified free from the undesirable red top an inferior grass the freedom from which makes out brown top very acceptable to overseas buyers. Some idea of the extent of certification work in Otago and Southland last season might be gauged from the following figures, which give the quantity of the various seeds certified: Perennial ryegrass, 19,509 bushels; commercial ryegrass, 19,846 bushels; Italian ryegrass, 72 acres; white clover, 19,6771 b; Montgomery red clover, 77181 b; brown top, 173,3751 b; cocksfoot, 41251 b; potatoes, 236 acres; wheat, 502 acres. The results of certification as introduced by the fields division are very marked in farm practice, and the system of certification has been very favourably commented on by interested visitors from overseas; in fact, some countries have adopted the systems in use here, while this country’s certified seeds are recognised the world over. FIELD EXTENSION SERVICE The main work of the division, however, is the field extension service, where the various officers stationed in the main centres in Otago and Southland are at the disposal of the farming community for advice in connection with their problems of crops, pastures, manures, irrigation, drainage, etc. This service is gratis. It is a tribute to the service, and to the officers concerned, that it is almost impossible to fulfil the requests of farmers for visits to their farms to discuss die hundred and one problems that every farmer has. Another activity .that the fields division has been associated with since its inception, but which largely has become a major function, is the Young Farmers’ Club Movement. This is an extremely important movement, dealing as it is with the growing generation of farmers, to whom the country must look in the future for its primary producers. All instructors are club organisers in their respective districts, and, in addition to giving lectures and demonstrations to the'indivi dual clubs, do the organising necessary for the normal functioning of the clubs. FIELD COMPETITIONS Farmers’ field competitions also receive the assistance of fields officers, and in some parts of the district those responsible for the competitions look to these men to carry out the judging as far as crops and pastures are concerned. FLOCK HOUSE During the past year the Department of Agriculture took over the control of Flock House, where the work of training youths to enable them to become successful farmers is being carried on as hitherto. The actual course at Flock House itself has been lengthened to one of 12 months, and the apprenticing of the lads after leaving this institution to sound practical farmers is now a work of the fields division. Care will be exercised to see that a suitable type of lad goes forward to Flock House for training, and after his 12 months’ training he will be placed on some farm where his training will be continued, and where he will be more or less under the supervision of the local field instructor It is hoped through this supervision to see that the lad gets a thorough training in the different types of farming, and it should be more satisfactory to the apprenticing farmer to have this close co-operation of the department. RYEGRASS GERMINATION

Much work is also being done in conjunction with other departments and research workers in other countries. One of the major problems that is at present being investigated, and one that is of vital importance to Otago and Southland, is in connection with the ryegrass seed germination trouble. During recent years much trouble has been experienced with seed harvested in the south, in that in certain seasons the germination capacity of such seed is extremely low. This trouble is apparently caused by fungus, the growth of which is associated with wet conditions. The most hopeful line that is at present being followed is work -ta ascertain whether or not certain strains of rye are more immune than others. Some 300 different lines of rye are at present under trial in this connection. TURNIP DISEASES The turnip crop has been, and will probably always be, the mam crop in Otago and Southland for winter fodder, but during recent years the ravages of certain diseases, principally clubroot and dry rot, has made even the turnip crop an uncertain quantity. Much work has been done in connection with these diseases, but, unfortunately, little progress has been made, At the present time certain proprietary materials appear hopeful, and during the coming season will bo subject to a series of rigorous tests. In the meantime, the work at the department’s laboratories and plots, as well as in the field is proceeding, and hopes arc entertained that ultimately some solution of the troubles will bo found.

During the past season the fields division has given much time and thought to the development of various trade matters, and, working in cooperation with the merchants, lias helped to make progress in connection with an export trade to South America of potatoes. The standard of produce demanded has at times proved irksome to some exporting houses, hut with the responsibility of passing the produce as til for export and with the knowledge that such trade should bo carefully fostered, the high standard has been essential.

During the past week the field olliccrs of Otago and Southland have met in conference in Dunedin, when the various problems of the district have been reviewed and consideration given to the future work in connection with such problems. It is the earnest wish of farmers of Otago and Southland that they may be successful in their endeavours and that definite progress will be made with some of the many problems confronting the south.