NEWS FROM CLUBS

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23687, 20 December 1938, Page 3

NEWS FROM CLUBS

The Otamft Club held its monthly meeting in the Otama Hall on November 29, when there was an excellent attendance of members. The question of scholarships to Lincoln College was fully discussed. After this discussion it was decided to nominate one member—Mr Robert Williams. The speaker for the evening was Mr G. P. Cross, of Gore. He gave those present an excellent description of his recent extended tour of Great Britain and other European countries. - At the conclusion of his address Mr Cross was accorded a hearty vote of thanks on the motion of Mr C. Dickson.

In connection with the Invercargill Showv several sheep judging competitions open to young farmers were held. Fifty entries were received for the two main events—3o for the Romney Marsh sheep and 20 for the Southdowns. The high standard obtained by the competitors was remarked upon by the judges, Messrs J. M. Watson and S. Ayson. Both competitions were keenly contested. The following were the prize-winners in the two classes— Romneys.—L. Middlemiss (Woodlands), J. Clark (Tussock Creek). R. Lindsay (Winton), J. Drummond (Five Rivers), and A. G. Anderson (Waimatuku), 1 (equal). Special Prizes.— , L. Middlemiss, J. Clark, and A. G. Anderson. Southdowns.—G. H. Mcllwrick (Ota-

piri) 1. W. Clark (Woodlands). A. Campbell (Woodlands), A. J. Edwards (Otikirama), R. McPherson (Invercargill), and R. Mcllwrick (Winton) 2 (equal). Special Prizes.—A. Campbell and M. W. Clark. W * »

Members will remember that a series of articles on pasture plants by Mr S. H. Saxby, of the Fields Division of the Department of Agriculture was published in this column each

week last summer. Arrangements have been made lor the continuation of these articles. The first of these appears to-day. As the majority of the important grasses and clovers were considered last year, it is proposed that the present series should deal with weeds. „ „

Before discussing individual weeds, It might be as well to consider exactly what a weed is. Although there are many definitions of the term weea, most of them fail to appreciate the fact that, as far as farming is concerned, a plant is a weed only when it is responsible for financial loss, either direct or indirect. In Otago there are many kinds that are useful in some localities, but harmful in others. For example, winged thistle on the better country is rightly regarded as a weed, because it causes an indirect loss through taking up ground that would be better occupied by useful grasses and clovers. On the other hand, in parts of Central Otago winged thistle is regarded as a useful plant on account of its providing useful if not attractive sheep feed in locations where practically nothing else will grow.

Again, yarrow provides useful sheep feed in some areas, but is also regarded as a weed in others. In this series of articles, therefore, attention will be paid to the relative values of the various plants commonly regarded as weeds. Most stress will, however, he placed on those plants that are harmful only. There are, of course, many plants in Otago that are harmless except for the small amount of ground that they occupy. Such plants are wild pansy bladder campion, and striated catchfuly. It is not proposed to consider such plants in the present series, * * * In conclusion we would like to express the hope that all club members throughout Otago and Southland will have a happy Christmas and enjoy a prosperous New Year.