WINTON

Southland Times, Issue 24573, 23 October 1941, Page 10

WINTON

EXPERIMENTAL FARM I The Winton Experimental and Dem- | onstration Farm committee reports on the season’s operations as follows:— I “The 1940/41 season was ideal for lamb fattening. The spring and summer months were characterized by low rainfall and frequent showers prevented drought conditions. Pastures accordingly were better controlled by the stock. Five hundred and forty lambs were sold, fat lambs representing more than five an acre on the total farm acreage of 106 acres.” The breeding ewe flock had been reduced in the autumn because the 10 acres leasehold reverted to the owner on September 30th, 1941. This brought to a conclusion the ryegrass grazing trial between Hawkes Bay mother and superiod Southland lines. Over the four seasons 162 lambs had been fattened on the Southland trial paddock against 161 lambs fattened on the Hawkes Bay trial paddocks. Practically the only advantage had been the higher carrying capacity of the Hawkes Bay pastures over the whole period. “Linen flax was grown for the first time and an extra crop included in the rotation meant less ground for grass,” states the report. “The flax was sown at different rates an acre, and it was found that the heavier rates of seeding gave more processable straw and a higher percentage of fibre an acre. Two further grazing trials were laid down during the season, one for the purpose' of determining the relative merits of British indigenous ryegrass against Government Stock seed, and the other to determine the lamb fattening qualities of a complex seeds mixture against a simple mixture.” BOWLS Therp was a big attendance of bowlers and friends at the Central Bowling Club’s opening. Fine weather prevailed, and visiting bowlers were present from the James McPherson (Waianiwa) and Winton and R.S.A. clubs. The president, Mr F. Tilley, welcomed the visitors, members and new members, and apologized for the absence of the president of the Southland Centre. He stated that it was the twelfth or thirteenth opening of the club, and expressed thanks to those who had got tne green in such good order. He wished the club a very successful season. Mrs R. S. Balch, wife of the vice-president, rolled the first bowl. Rink play was held for the rest of the afternoon.