FARMERS’ UNION.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXII, Issue 8846, 24 June 1907, Page 2

FARMERS’ UNION.

SandonS BsanchTho members of the above branch met in the Council Chambers on Saturday evening, Mr J. G. Wilson presiding. After the usual routine business Mr Wilson gave a short account of the Provincial Conference, hold at Levin a short time ago. Ho also commented very favourably on thevisit that was made to tho Levin State Farm, and said that ho would lifee to see better facilities given to enable farmers to make more frequent visits to the various experimental stations.

Tuo Chairman then gave a short address, tlie subject of which was manures and their advantages. He fully explained the composition of the various manures on the market and the particular wants of the different roots and ceroals that are usually grown in this district. To get the very best result is the object of every farmer, and to do this it is necessary that ho must know the constituents of manures and the different food that each kind of plant requires, and also the character of the soil in each locality. He also explained the way to read the unit value of different manures according to the analyses supplied by the merchants. In concluding, Mr Wilson said that he had endeavoured to get Mr Grant, the Instructor to the Wanganui Education Board, to deliver a series of lectures to members of the branch, but ho had found that Mr Grant's time was so fully occupied that he could not spare the time required. As an alternative he advised every young farmer to take advantage of the agricultural classes that were being formed throughout the district. One had already been farmed in Bulls, and ho advised that as many as possible should join the class there unless they fcould get a sufficient number of students to start classes in Sandon. He had also had a conversation with Mr Clifton, who has charge of the colony's experimental stations, and had pointed out to him the need of local experiments so that farmers in various parts of each district could make comparisons. Mr Cilfton had promised that if a number of farmers in each district would provide the land and labour, the Department would supply the manure and send an expert to conduct the experiment, the owner of the land to have the crop.

Mr Wilson was heartily applauded on resuming his seat. A general discussion followed and a committee consisting of Messrs J. H. Perrett, W. S. Penny, A. Harris, G. Williams, T. Masters,. J. McDonnell, W. J. Phillips, and W. Pearce were appointed to find out the best farms on which to conduct the experiments, and to make _ arrangements for them to be put into effect. ' A vote of thanks to Mi- Wilson for his address and for the great interest ho has always shown in matters calculated to help the farmers terminated the meeting.