TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB

Otago Witness, Issue 3274, 13 December 1916, Page 12

TOKOMAIRIRO FARMERS' CLUB

ANNUAL SHOW. The annual show of the Tokommriro Farmers' Club was. held on the sth at Milton in perfect weather and in the presence of a largo attendance. The entries received were most satisfactory, and these all came forward with the "exception of those entered by the late Mr A Allison, which were confined to the Clvdesdale classes and light horse classes, and totalled 18 in all. Some 15 of these were in the Clydesdale section, and their withdrawal meant a considerable reduction in the; draught stock. In the class for draught gelding, any nge ; there were six entries in the catalogue with Mr Allison's exhibits, but their Withdrawal and the withdrawal of Mr R. Murray's entry brought the competitors down to two. However, there were some good horses shown, and what was lacking in number was made up in quality. The show generally was well conducted, a feature being the exped tious manner in which the stewards and the judges got through their work. The judging commenced shortly after 11 a.m., and the last event was completed a few minutes before 4 p.m. CATTLE.

There was a fair entry of cattle, some very fine animals coming forward. In the crossbred section Mr James Morrison was awarded first and Mr David Russell second prizes in the class for cow, any age, for which there were three entries. The latter was the only exhibitor in the class for two dairy cows, and was awarded first honours. Mrs D. Sanson secured first prize unopposed for cottar's cow, any age, and Mr Peter Porter had a victory'in the yearling heifer, in which there was no opposition.

There were larger entries and more competition in the Ayrshire section. For cow, any age, Mr John Campbell (Tahakopa) gamed first with a very fine specimen, Mr Peter Porter being runner-up with a good stamp of cow. There were five entries m this class. Mr Campbell and Mr J. K. Wells were the only exhibitors in the two-year-old heifer class, and the former was awarded the red ticket, the latter receiving the blue. Mr Campbell was the only exhibitor in the classes* for yearling heifer and cow and two of her progeny, and he was awarded first and second in the heifer class and first and champion and second for the cow and her progeny, which were -of fine quality. Mr J. K. Weir was first for two-year-old bull, and Mr Campbell second, these being the only entries, while for aged bull the latter was awarded first and champion, and in the yearling bull class, in which he was the only exhibitor, he again carried off first honours. Messrs Peattie Bros, and Mr David Russell were the only competitors in the Jersey section. The former were first for cow or heifer, first and second for bull, any age, and second for yearling heifer. Mr RussH! secured first for yearling heifer and second for cow or heifer.

Mr Thomas Russell won all the prizes in the cow nnd heifer classes for shorthorns. Ilis only opponent being Mr Porter in the yearling heifer class. The w'nning exhibits 'in each class were the best of the breed seen in the local show ring for some time, nnd were much admired. Amongst Mr Russell's prizes was the championship for a cow of tin's breed. Mr Porter was awarded first and chamnion for bull, three years or over. Mi- F. J. Wright and Mr James Morrison won unonnosed in the two-year-old and yearling bull classes respectively. Messrs' Peattie Bros, secured first prize for the best dairy cow, with Mr John Campboll in second place. DRAUGHT HORSES.

The horses which came forward were, good, Messrs Thomson and Co. having some' of their best stock in the ring. In the class for entire, any age, Mr A. V. uson (Henley) was first and'champion with Wairongoa' Footprints. Mr D. Heenan (Maungatua) being second with Casabianca Again. The winner was shown in good condition, while the latter also proved a good specimen of the breed. Mrs R. Robinsons Bonnie Everest was the only entry in the three-year-old class, and he was awarded first prize. There was only one entry m tho two-year-old colt class—Mr Robert Murray's.' which was awarded first prize. Two entries appeared in tho ring in the yearling colt or geicling class. Mr S. W. Moffat's exhibit being first and Messrs J. and C. Campbell's second. Messrs Campbell and Co. (Milton) were first for gelding any age. with Mr Jas. B. Nome second, these being the only competitors. Messrs Campbell and Co. were also first for pair of geldings, upopposed, and Messrs Thomson and Co. were first, unopposed, for brood mare in foal or with foal at foot. The latter exhibitors were successful in the classes for one year and three year old fillies, in rings of'six and four respectively; while Mr Jas. Carruthcrs was first for two year old filly, with Messrs Thomson and Co. second and third, in a ring of four. Mrs R. Robinson was second in tlie yearling filly class, with Mr Robert Murray third. 'Mr G. Moffat was third in tho three year old filly class. Mrs Roibnson won Messrs Muir and Kendall's silver cup for the best three year old colt by Baron Everest, and Mr Donald Russell won tho same donors' silver cup for the best filly by Baron Everest, for which there were two eneries. Mr Jas. B. Norrie, who was the onlv competitor. • was awarded the Clydesdale Horse Society's medal for a very fine filly, -which would have taken a lot" of beating at any show. Mr A. r-FMillan and Mr Robt. Murray were the only competitors in the class for mare or molding fit for spring van up to one ton. and tho former secured first prize after a close contest. Messrs Thomson nnd Co. carried o(T first honours unopposed in the class for mare and two or her progeny, and were first and second in a strong class for ycld mare, any age, Mr G. Moffat being third. Messrs Thomson and Co. were first and second for pair, of mares tr geldings; first, second, nnd third for pair

of mares and first in (ho three horse team class, while their exhibit. Brilliant 11, was awarded the championship for the best mare on the ground. Mrs R. Robinson was first for the best mare or filly bred in the Bruce County, with Mr David Rusei'li second; theso were the only exhibitors. LIGHT HORSES. The light harness section was the strongest in the show, both quality and quantity being represented Air Alex. M'Leod's Kcnetic was the only entire shown, and ho was awarded first prize. There were six entries in the class for weight-carrying hacks up to 15 stone, the first prize going to Air R. Houlieton (Kakapuaka), who showed a splendid type of horse, Mr T. Lochhead (Balclutha) being second. A ring of seven faced the judges in the weight-carrying hack class, up lo 13 stone, Mr J. F. Muir (Clarendon) being first, and Mr A. M. M'Donald second. Ten horses competed in the 11 etone hack class, Mr J. A. Jordan (Dunedin) being first -with Chappie. Mr T. Lochhead second, and Mr A. M. Macdonald third. Mr Jordan was again successful with Chappie in a field of seven in the trocn mare class, Mr Macdonald being second and Mr Lochhead third. There were only three entries in the class for weight-carrying hacke, three years, Mr J. F. Muir b-ing- first and Mr T. Lochhead second. Nine horses wore shown in the class {ox buggy mure or gelding, and Mr Locinload was first, with Mr Macdonald and Messrs Campbell and Co. second and third respectively. Mr Lochhead was first in a ring; o( four in tho dog-cart horse section, with Mr R. Houliston second. In tiie iOcwt sp-ing-cart horse section Mr S. H. Robinson was first, and Mr D. Hassett second in a field four. The lady's hack class entries numbered, 10, but the quality was poor. Mrs F. .1 Conn's exhibit (Luigi) secured first, with Miss Brown's Fanny next. Mr Lochhead's was the only exhibit in the class for a pair of buggy horses, and they were fine animals, securing first prize. Mr Lochhead won the prizes for pony 14 hands, shown in saddle and harness, with Peter Pan. who has now won over 40 first prizes. In the saddle class Mr R. Hawker, of Waitahuna, was runnerup with a fine iron grey pony, the other three of the five entries being an ordinary lot. Mr B. Campbell was first in the pony class under 13 hands with the dam of Peter Pan, and the same, rnare was runner-up to her son in the harness class. Mr James Morrison (Kaitangata) was sccont! in the 13 hands class. The onlv exhibit in the 12 hands class was that of Mr Oharlcs Pollard, a beautiful little black pony, showing an abundance of bone and muscle. SHEEP. The sheep entered, although not large in numbers, were good in quality. In Border Leicester* Mr William Grey won all the prizes except, one, this being for ram hogget, in which he was lunner-up to Mr A. M. M'Mullan. who, with Mr Loekhart, was the only other exhibitor in this breed. Mr James France was the only exhibitor in the Down rams class, and he carried off first and second prizes, while _Mr F. J. Wright, who was the only exhibitor of ewes of this breed was awarded first and second prize-;. There were more competitors in tho classes for Romney Marsh sheep, in which Mr William Grey again carried off all but two of the first prizes, including champion ram and ewe. For four-tooth ram Mr J. Lockhart was second and third; for ram hogget Mr A. Murdoch third; for two ram hoggets, Mr A. King first; for ewe any age, Mr A. R. Moffat third; for two ewes, Mr A. H. Moffat, first, and Mr S. W. Moffat second and third respectively; for one ewe hogget, Mr A. King first; for two ewe hoggets, Mr A. King third. All the other prizes were won by" Mr William Gray. Mr A. Murdoch (Waitahuna) was the only other exhibitor

In the crossbred section, Mr A. King was first and second for two ewes with lamb at foot, with Mrs R. S. Allan third, and first for three strong-woolled sheep, with Mr A M. Macdonald second, and Mrs Allan third. The entries in these two classes totalled five and seven respectively. Mr Macdonald was first in the class tor three line-woolled hoggets, for which there were four entries, with Mrs Allan second. Mr A King was first for three hoggets bred by exhibitor, with Mr Grey second and third. The entries totalled six. For five strong-woolled hoggets 2vir King was first with Mr Grey second, and Mr W. E. Moffat third. These were the only exhibitors. ...„. _, Mr James France and Mr William Grey were the onlv exhibitors in the class lor tat lambs, and "they were awarded first and second prizes respectively, while in the class for three fat sheep, for which there were five entries. Mr R. Moffat fie Houka) v. as first, Mr David M'Laren second, and Mr \. M. Macdonald third. Mr Macdonald and Mr Grey were the only exhibitors in the class for three fat sheep, not over six-tooth, the former being awarded first and second prizes, and the latter third prize Mr F J Wright and Mr Grey wore the onlv exhibitors in the class for three halfbred wethers, and Mr Wright secured the first and second prizes.

DOGS For Scotch collie Mr H. C. Farquharson was first, unopposed, while in the bearded collie class Mr David M'Laren was first and second, unopposed. Mr Jas. Wood was first for smooth collie. There was only one other entry.

DOMESTIC PRODUCE. Very large entries came forward in the dairy produce section, and there WB6 keen competition. Mrs W. Finch, Miss J. laul, Mrs Thos. Pearson, and Miss A. M. Scott divided the honours in the competition for 21b of fresh butter, in the order named. Miss J Paul was first for 21b of powdered butter, with Miss Campbell second, and Mrs W Alison third. Mis« Paul won again in the class for 21b of flesh butter, with Miss Paul second, and Miss M'Leod third. Mrs Finch and Miss Paul were the only competitors in the class for 101 b of salt butter the prizes, being allotted in the order named. Miss M. Blackie was successful in the competition of 21b of fresh butter for non-first prize-winners, with ALss M. Rekowski second, and Mrs Allison third. For 21b of salt butter, open to non-prize-winners in this class of butter, Mrs Finch was first, Miss Paul second, and Mrs Allison third. For non-separator butter Mrs B. Finch was first and second, with Miss Wisely third. Mrs Finch was first and second for 21b of powdered non-separator butter, with Mrs Black third. In the section for full-milk cheese Miss M'Leod was the only exhibitor, and secured first prize with a very fine sample. Mrs J. Macdonald was first and second for oaten scones and for home-made bread, while for the bread

competition for non-prize-winners Mrs A. Scott wag first and Mrs T. Lockhart second. Miss J. Macdonald was first for six oven scones, with Mrs Jas. Murray 2, and Miss Macdonald triumphed in the class for six girdlo scones, securing first, and second prizes, with Miss Callrrider third For roll Of bacon Messrs Ilitchon Bros, were firet and second, and Miss Paul third, while for a pair of pork hams, Messrs Hitchon Bros., who were the only exhibitors, were awarded first and second prizes. Miss Paul was the only exhibitor of a pair of pork farmers' hams, and secured first prizo. Miss Paul was first for a dozen hen's eggs, and Miss Wisely first tor a dozen duck eggs, M:ss Paul being- runner-up in the latter class. Most ooints in domestic produce were securer]" by Miss Paul, and in dairy produce by Miss Macdonald,. COMPETITIONS. There were only three lots of competitions, the first being' for hunting horses over four flights of brush fences. Thoro were 11 entries in this class, the winner being Mrs Miller's Ladv Bell, Mr J. M'Leod beinw second, and Mr A. M. Macdonald th, ' , r ~ Only three entries came forward for the pony ' jump, which was over the same course traversed bv the hunting horses. The ponies gavo a far superior display to that given by the hunters. The winner was Mr E. Rvan (Waitahuna). with Mr R. Hawker second. . , There were five competitors in the polo race, which was won by Mr J. M'Hardy, with Mr S. Johnstone second. The judges wore as follow: —Clvdesdalcs —Messrs James Sim and John Hernial!; ' light horses—Messrs Jas. Gow and A. MTntvre; eattle. Mr D. Andrew; and dogs. Mr A. Murdoch; dairy produce, Mr A." M'Fnrlane. SALE OF A SPECIFIC CROP. AN IMPORTANT QUESTION. A question of considerable importance to farmers and persons who contract with them for the purchase of their crops has been very much in evidence of in the courts of the Commonwealth. It is a rule of law that where it appears from the nature of the contract and the surrounding circumstances that the parties have contracted on the basis that some specified thing. . without which the contract cannot be fulfilled, will continue to exist, or that a future event which forms the foundation of the contract will take place, the contract, though in terms absolute, is_ to be construed as being subject to an implied condition, that if before breach performance becomes impossible without default of either party, and owing to circumstances which were not contemplated when the contract was made, the parties are to be excused from further performance. Sale of Potatoes. — Thus by way of illustration: —A farmer agreed to sell to a potato merchant 200 tons of potatoes partly grown and to be grown, the potatoes to bo paid for when they were taken away. Some months after they were sown, without any default on the part of the grower, a disease which no skill or care could haye prevented attacked the crop and caused it to fail; and when the time for taking it up arrived, the whole marketable produce of the crop of the lands amounted to no more than 79 tons, and this quantity was delivered to the _ purchaser. The rest of the crop had perished from the disease. An action was then brought against the farmer to recover damages for the non-delivery of the residue of the 200 tons. The court held that the contract was for potatoes off specific land, and was therefore a contract for a part of_ a specific crop, although not sown at the time. The contract was therefore subject to the implied condition that the parties should be excused if before breach performance becomes impossible from the perishing of the thing without default of the contractor. In this case there was not an absolute contract to deliver 200 tons of potatoes on a certain date; but a contract for 200 tons of potatoes grown on particular land. The crop on this particuar land failed, and there was nothing to which the promise could apply. The principle would also apply if the crop had existed at the time of the contract, and had failed. It was an agreement to sell specific things, and therefore neither party would be liable if the performance became impossible. A Wheat Contract. — A farmer agreed to sell to a produce firm 250 bags of fair average quality wheat on rails at a certain place, delivery to bo made on a certain date. An action for damages was brought for the non-delivery of the wheat. In giving judgment for defendant, with costs, the judge said: "The defendant was a farmer, and ho made an agreement with plaintiff's agent, who had authority to make contracts with the neighbouring farmers. The contract was one for the sale of the proceeds of the defendant's crop. This was the obvious intention of what then was the position of both parties in the events which had happened. A board was created with 'power to acquire all or any portion of the wheat grown or stored in the State, and notice was served on the defendant by the board of its intention to acquire all his wheat. The effect of the notice was to vest the property of all wheat in tho board. The result was that the defendant had no wheat, tho proceeds of his own crop, wherewith he could fulfil the contract. Tho contract was one for the sale of specific goods. Further, there was an implied condition in tho contract that if tho crop was insufficient, tho breach to such extent should bo excused." FASfLAGE NOTES. It is satisfactory to note (says W. Dibble, Fields Inspector, in tho Journal of Agriculture) that progressive farmers in the dairying districts are taking an increasing interest in ensilage, and arc proving that the profits from ensilage-fed cows are much in excess of those, yielded by cows fed on hay at similar periods of tho year, also that ensilage can be made by improved; methods almost as cheaply as hay. An excellent sample of ensilage-making and its benefits has recently been afforded at the, farm of Mr J. E. Meuli, Okaiawa, Taranaki. A 22-acre paddock in 1914 was stumped, ploughed, sown in swedes, and fed off. During September, 1915, it was again ploughed: and sown down in oats, grass, and clover at tho rati of 1»- bushels oats, IBlb cocksfoot. s!b Italian rye, 51b cow-grass, white clover, and lit) alsike per aero. Early in 1916 the growth wop cut flivl rnn le into stack ensilage, the size of sf.-n-k lining 50ft by 30ft by 9ft, estimated to contain 190 to 200 tons of ourcd ensilage. Eiyht bags of salt were used in the malting. Ml necessary implements wero ci in i he operations, moulding a Manitoba stacker

for hoisting, and 10 to 12 men assisted in carrying out the work. The cost of making the crop of 22 acres in ensilage—for labour and material was about £29—say, 3s per ton.

The stack was opened up and fed daily to 170 head of stock, commencing on June 15 and finishing on September 10, 1916. The healthy condition of the stock showed the value of feeding ensilage, and I certainly have not seen a herd come through the winter in better condition this year. It may bo noted that all the cows of the herd, 141 in number, calved without any assistance whatever, and, in every case the after-birth came away clean within a few hours. At tho beginning of October only nine cows and heifers had not como into profit, and these wero very close to calving. Tho bulls before being turned in with the cows in tho previous spring had been fed on ensilage. Out of the nerd 50 cowa and heifers were put in a paddock of seven acres during July and August last, and fed solely on ensilage (apart from pasture pickings) for eight weeks, the quantity given to them being one two-horse load daily. The fact that tho herd at the home farm, which was not a selected herd in any way (tho 56 head including* 13 two-year-old heifers), produced 16,6321 b of butter-fat last year, or an average, of 2921 b per head, must bo considered very satisfactory, and proves that the animals didi well on the ensilage provided for them during that season also. In the writer's opinion ensilage can be fed with advantage to dairy herds from uhc months of June to October, and then again from February to April. There is no material conserved that is more similar to the natural herbage than first-class ensilage, and it tends to keep the entile healthy. Owners would experience less trouble with various ailments in their herds if the cattle wore fed liberally with ensilage at certain times of the vear when necessity demands. There are still farmers who consider that a cow which has been through an exhausting milking season and is carrying a calf can be turned adrift and look after herself until she comes info profit again. But this is, of course, a quite mistaken idn. T'e period in question is tho time when the cow should be fairly treated, in order that she may come in in good form for the ensuing season, which for best results should not be later than July. Bv getting an early start a much longer milking season can be obtained from the herd..