TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3195, 9 June 1915, Page 19

TARANAKI AND WEST COAST NOTES.

(From Our Own CoRBEsroNDEKr.) EXTENSION OF AGRICULTURAL • EDUCATION.

The Wanganui Education Board found that its agricultural insructor’s (Mr Brown) work among the farmers of South Taranaki proved so helpful to the farmers themselves that it has been decided to extend operations, and classes are now to be formed in the southern end of the board’s district. The farmers of Apiti arc quite pleased over the new development, and strong offers of support have been received. Mr U. A. Banner (instructor) has boon on a visit to Apiti, making arrangements for the commencement of the classes in July, when both Mr Banner and Mr Brown will be in attendance for a week. COW-TESTING.

The Mangoroi Cow-testing Association for the period ending May 23 shows that the last herd averaged 338ib of milk; test, 6.0; fat, 20.61. The worst herd averaged 1381 b of milk; test, 7.1; fat. 9.86. ihe best cow gave 570ib of milk; tost, 6.1; fat, 34.77. The worst cow gave 601 b of milk; test, 4.0; fat, 2,40. The average association cow gave 318. b of milk; test, 5.0; fat, 15.89. The following is a summary of the Kaupokonui Cow-testing Association for the 30day period ending May 24:

HELPING THE FARMER. The farmers of Taranaki are likely to be up “right against it” during the next dairying season, not only in tne matter of milking, but also at harvest-time. The causa is the departure of so'many young farm hands to the front. As soon as the milking season wag over these young fellows volunteered in shoals,- and the problem at the opon.ng of the next dairy season is going to be a serious one to face. It is not every one who can milk cows; but, as regards-harvesting, a groat deal can bo done by town workers if they will only step into the breach. In view of this difficulty presenting'itself, Mr E. Wilson (Mayor of New Plymouth) conceived the idea of his fellowtownsmen rendering what assistance they could to garner in the harvest when the opportunity came. He therefore placed the matter in a concise way before the general public preparatory to holding a public mooting. This function took place during the week, and as a result the whole plan gives promise of being successfully carried out. It is quite probable that similar action will take place in other farming districts of Now Zealand; and, in view of general interest being created in the movement, it will doubtless interest readers of the Otago Witness to know the conditions under which the decision to help was arrived at by the public men of New Plymouth. Mr Wilson, in the course of his remarks, pointed out that the cereal crops of the world were likely to be limited in view of the millions of men now engaged in battle. The consequence of a shortage of wheat would probably prove most serious, and such a contingency had to be provided against by every possible means. New Zealand was sending away a largo number of young men, and there was bound to bo a shortage of labour, and it was the duty of those who were unable to assist in other ways to do so in providing food for the Empire by helping farmers to harvest any cereal crops they might put in. Those who could not assist the Empire at the front could do much in a quiet, prosaic way, and those who were giving their services on the field of battle would not then feel that they were throwing on those they left behind such an additional burden. The harvesting season in a dairying district such as Taranaki came when the farmers were very busy, and the fear of shortage of labour at that season might prevent many farmers planting cereal crops unless assistance at harvesttime was assured. Ho thought they might obtain a roll of those whose assistance would bo available to help the farmers, and the period for and time at which they would bo prepared to render that assistance. Tho farmers could then be notified of this, and it would be an encouragement to them to plant .grain crops. The farmers would, of course, pay the usual, or, at least, a fair rate of wages, and those not requiring this money could devote it to any of tho Patriotic .Funds. Tho difficulty of conveying tho volunteer labourers to the places where work was waiting for them would bo easily overcome. Ho had already had the offer of the use of several motor

cars for this work —(applause),—and hoped to got many more. When they had completed their roil of labourers it would bo lor the • fanners to make the next move, llioy would have to wait and see whether the farmers would avail themselves of tiro labour offering and grow cereals on a larger scale than usual during the coming season, lie hoped anti believed that those in a position to do so would do all they could to assist in providing grain for the country, and thus ass ; st the Empire in this crisis. It might also bo pcsdble that labour would be available at the preent time to assist in clearing, and thus providing ground on which cereals could be planted. He had had one generous offer from a farmer, who had promised to donate the cron from 20 acres of land to any Patriotic Fund providing the seed was found and the land cleared and stumped. _ Mr G. V. Tait had written announcing his appreciation of the scheme, and expressing the opinion that it should induce many farmers to plant more grain. Mr J. S. Connctt, a well-known dairyfarmer of Bell Block, said the proposal might be beneficial to farmers as well aa to the remainder of the community; but the farmer did not “cotton” too much to the assistance of townspeople. The scheme might be a feasible one, and the farmers mi"ht be induced to plant extra grain crops, although, generally speaking, tno avcragS farmer la d out his plans years ahead, and il was questionable whether he would divert his intention from producing as much milk as possible to producing gram. Mr Penn pointed out that in Taranaki 1200 acres had in the past year been devoted to wheat and oats lor grain purposes. If (his was not sown this year it would mean the loss of from 30.000 to 40,000 bushels.

Mr W. P. Nicoll said ho thought years ago that Taranaki land was not suitable to wneat-growing, but he had occasion since to alter his mind. With the application of lime, wheat grown in Taranaki would compare with that grown in an;.' other part of the Dominion.

The Chairman said that, despite Mr Connett’s remarks, he d;d v not think there was one man in tho room .who could not do a good day’s work, and if the townsmen’s offer was taken tho farmers could be suro of very real help. He hoped the farmers would look upon this matter from a patriotic point of view. They desired to assist tho farmer to help the country. He then moved—“ That this meeting of townspeople approves of the suggestion that fanners ba encouraged to grow grain crops by promising to assist in the harvesting of these crops.” This was seconded, and carried unanimously. An executive committee was then formed to work in conjunction with a committee appointed by the farmers. Mr Okey, M.P., said that with regard to the suggestion of the provison of seed by growing wheat he thought they might arrange with the Agricultural Department to provide tho seed if the farmers requiring it would send their names in to the committee stating the amount they would be willing to put in. This might encourage farmers to grow more wheat. If they could got only 100 acres extra it would bo of benefit. Tho farmers should give tho department back a similar quantity out of the crop. By getting the seed from tho department they would get the most suitable for the soil, and he would bo pleased to ass : st in this direction. The Mayor moved—“ That farmers be invited to inform the or tha amount of wheat they intend sowing, with a view to getting from the Agricultural Department.” This was seconded, and carried unanimously. FREEZING INDUSTRY—D EVELOPMENT IN THE NORTH.

The freezing works industry along !ho West Coast of the North Island is developing fast. The Patea works have exceeded all expectations this year in the matter of its output, the new plant and buildings enabling operations to be carried on so expeditiously that already, with an unfinished season, the output has exceeded any season’s return by over one million pounds in weight. This is very gratifying to shareholders and directorate. Wanganui works at Oastlecliff also showed a very substantial increase; but what is going to happen next season remains to be proved. Ihe Folding directors are determined to leave no stone unturned to have the fanners works for Oroua ready in time for the new season. For this work a tender was let to Mr M'Millan, of Auckland for the erection of the buildings, the contract pneo being over £24,000. Good progress is being made with the railway siding, and this is expected to be completed in about a fortnight’s time. At Taihape the erection of now works has boon commenced, and at a meeting of the directorate of the recently-formed Farmers’ Co-operative Freezing Company it was decided to register the company forthwith. It was agreed to invite applications for the erection of a. suction gas plant, the work to be completed by February 1, 1916. Mr J. C. Cooper, of Mastovton, manager of one_ of the most successful co-operative freezing companies in New Zealand, who was accompanied by Mr Pavne, a director of the company, attended the meeting, and gave some valuable information. It is quite possible, I understand, that arrangements will be made whereby Mr Cooper will take over the management of the new company for tiie first 12 months. This is considered a trying. if not a vital, period of the life of any company, and the services of such an ablo man as Mr Cooper has shown himself to bo should prove invaluable to the concern. LUCERNE. Farmers are rapidly becoming converted to the merits of lucerne as a milk-producing fodder for dairy oattle, and as the fact is further realised there is no doubt that from Taranaki to Ma.nawatu there will hardly be a farm without its lucerne field. Lucerne is such a useful fodder that its value must be recognised by all up-to-dato farmers. And it is wonderful how it will thrive and grow in some of the most unlikely places. In the Feilding district lucerne has been grown with marked success. Mr Hector Booth, of Khvitca, who gives his principal attention to larabfattoning. is a thorough believer in lucerne as a result of the co-operative field experiments ho has conducted. Mr Booth does not cut any of the lucerne for feeding out in a green state. He either grazes it or converts it into hay. This past season he allowed the sheep the run of the lucerne field —a six years’ stand —-as soon as its started to come in October, and the shcop wore allowed to feed on it until the end of November, having at the same time the run of other paddocks. He expects by the end of the season to also secure three good outs for hay from the same field. In establishing the lucerne the land was fairly clean, but during the winter months ft

became very foul with couch—indeed, it looked so unsatisfactory that it was thought the attempt to grow lucerne would have to be abandoned. However, the field was well disced and then limed, no lime having boon applied prior to seeding. After that the lucerne came away well, and .is now a good stand. Last year a dressing of 3towt of basic slag to the acre was applied. Mr Booth selects a good day to commence operations. The lucerne is cut in the morning, and loft on the ground till the morning of the following day, when it is made into small cocks and left for a week, and then carted home. Mr Booth attaches great importance to the size of the cocks. This is not more than can bo easily taken up by the fork at the one operation.

FIVE BEST HERDS, Milk. Test. Butter-fat 1 640 4.8 30.97 2 464 4.8 22.65 3 364 5.2 19.21 4 421 4.4 13.79 5 371 4.3 16.31 FIVE WORST HERDS 1 91 6.3 5.86 2 173 5.1 8.89 3 185 5.7 10.62 4 171 6.9 11.99 5 252 5.1 12.93 Average associacow gave 205 5.1 15.13 Best cow gave.. 795 6.2 49.29 Worst cow gave 75 5.4 4.05