THE TRIP TO MOMOHAKI.

Rangitikei Advocate and Manawatu Argus, Volume XXXIV, Issue 9403, 25 March 1909, Page 4

THE TRIP TO MOMOHAKI.

Yesterday, 161 persons, mostly farmers from Feildiug, Palmerston, and Marton districts,' visited the Momohaki State Farm/ Mr J. G. Wilson, President of the Farmers* Union, was among the visitors. On arrival tne patty were treated tu an excellent lunch. Afterwards, under the direction of the manager, Mr Gillanders, and members of his staff, they were shown over the farm, and any points of interest explained. The farm consists of 61a acres of rich light soil, with a fin© sandy subsoil. It has been worked, as an experimental farm-during the past eleven years. The chief work done is experimenting on manuring grass lands, breeding crossbred sheep, with a view of finding the best lamb for export, experimenting in the growth of all kinds of root crops, and fruit and garden vegetables, It is only about three years ago the experiments on grasses were commenced. The stock consists of about 1000 sheep and 100 cattle, and 35 horses. Among the cattle are a few Dexter Kerry cattle, nicelooking animals, short legged, and said to be good milkers. Among the sheep special attention was drawn to six imported Border Leicesters with 11 lambs at foot. Two bad died. These ewes were purchased for the Government by Mr Patullo, from Mr Hume’s flock of Barrewell, England, and the lambs are by the celebrated Stanley Yet ram and cannot fail to be a great acquisition to the colony. Two of the ewes were considered especially fine by competent judges present. Along with the ram lambs of this breed were seen the ram lambs from the flock of Sourhdowns generously presented to the Government by Mr Short, of Parorangi. The party also inspected the imported stallion Birdsali Minstrell, which, took first prize three successive years at the English Royal Show, and his dam took similar honours. The animal is well grown, has good feet, is well topped, and is in good condition. A hope was expressed that Mr Fredericks, who is in charge, would not overdo the condition. A considerable number of the visitors accompanied the manager to see the grass plots that had been topdressed with a variety of manures, and were informed of the weight of meat that had been grown on each plot. Slightly the best result seemed to have been obtained by a dressing of superphosphate, 3 cwt., and sulphate of potash 1 quarter. The party was next shown the turnip crops, a large number of varieties, and told the manures used and the cost per acre. The expenditure incurred has been from about 3s 6d to 435. In spite of the club root disease, -which has attacked several varieties, tbe visitors were pleased at the general excellent condition of the crops, both of turnips and mangolds. Among the worst diseases of turnips were Garton’s Keep Well and Gartou’sModel, while Garton’s Crop Well was nearly free of, the disease. It may be noted that the mangolds that had received scwt. of manure to the acre, and had been drilled in were looking remarkably well, especially the yellow globe variety. The sugar beets were recommended by the manager as good lor milking cows, and he said they were good for resisting drought. It was worthy of note that nitrogen manure called oyanamide, extracted from the air by an electrical process, appeared to have produced no beneficial effect, and in one case of top dressing the grass land seemed actually harmed. In regard to the root crops as a whole, which are still growing, nothing positive can yet ba stated as to the comparative values of the manures used, as a good rain might yet cause a difference in results not now observable.

The horticultural experiasents on this farm have been under the cata of Mr W. J. Palmer, who many of « our readers will be sorry to learn, is to be retired from service owing to age,, especially in view of his excellent work at Taurauga during the past three years, and which can hardly be said to be yet completed. But enough has been done there by Mr Palmer to prove the wonderful capabilities of the Taurauga district for fruit culture. At Momohati is shown the successful application of the Cordon and Espalier systems of fruit culture, a splendid variety o£ potatoes raised from seeds, and other vegetables, and all the visitors were interested in the various kinds of shelter hedges, one of the best of which consists of New Zealand shrubs. After the visitors had partaken of tea, Mr Hugh Burrell, President of the Feilding A. & P. Association, said before leaving he wished, on behalf of the Association to give hearty Shanks to Mr Gillanders. At a trip like the present they came with different feelings than if visiting a neighbour’s place; Momohaki was run by the State, and, -therefore, such experiments could be conducted as were not possible on a private farm. It was really a nursery, and consequently they came to obtain information not available elsewhere. There was one pleasing feature that day, which was that Mr Gillanders showed his failures' as well as his successes. They had given him a lot of trouble, but Mr Gillanders had treated them hospitably and with all kindness. He called for three cheers for the manager, which were heartily given. Mr Booth, on behalf of the members of the Feilding Farmers’ Union, thanked Mr Gillanders for his hospitality, and then remarked that he thought the Railway Department should not demand a guarantee before running a special train to the farm. Mr Lancaster, on behalf of tha Palmerston A. & P. Association, also thanked Mr Gillanders and staff for the hospitality, the kindness, and iuformatiou to the members, tie called for cheers for the staff which were given. f Mr Gillanders, in reply, said he was nleased to receive such a large party. It was the third this year, which was sufficient proof of the general interest taken by farmers in the farm. It had been said that it should be self supporting. That lie thought was a mistaken idea. During the last 10 years he had been gathering information on that point from all parts of the world, but he had not learned of a single instance in which such a farm had been made to pay. -He thanked the previous speakers on behalf of the Department, himself, and the staff, for the kind remarks made. The visitors then started on the return journey pleased with the day’s outing and because of the information obtained.