YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

Te Awamutu Courier, Volume 62, Issue 4430, 26 May 1941, Page 4

YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB

INTERESTING FIELD DAY. AT MR HAMILTON ALLEN’S FARM. On Friday approximately 20 Y.F.C. members, three visitors and two members of the advisory committee assembled at Hr Hamilton Alien’s farm at Kihikihi. Leaving the homestead, the party made a tour of the farm, inspecting some of Mr Allen’s very fine pedigree Jersey cattle. A stack of high quality (also high smelling) ensilage was examined, Mr Allen explaining the method by which it was made so as to ensure a minimum of waste. The gathering then made a survey of the up-to-date milking shed and out-buildings. At 2 o’clock Mr R. Bull, of the Te Awamutu Machinery Exchange, arrived to lecture the boys on the working and care of farm implements. A demonstration was given of towing a topdresser behind a motor lorry and also of a sweep attached to the front, Mr Bull pointing out the ways in which breakages were most likely to occur. The most educational part of the lecture was when Mr Bull explained and demonstrated on a mower the troubles that arise through wear and tear. The lecturer explained the right tension to have on a knife in the cutter-bar, the lining up of the fingers, the setting of the ledger plates and the lining up of the cutter-bar with the mower, etc. The members showed keen interest and asked many questions which Mr Bull ably answered. The setting and draught of a plough was also shown to members. A side-rake and tedder was also paraded. In conclusion, Mr Allen gave a demonstration of cutting firewood on a saw bench which was driven off the back wheel of the motor truck. The party then returned to the homestead. The Young Farmers certainly had no “young” appetite when it came to doing justice to the very nice afternoon tea kindly provided by Mesdames Pattison, Fraser, Bowler and Misses Pattison and Donaldson. The Y.F.C. chairman, Mr lan Fraser, then thanked all those who had done so much to make the day such an enjoyable one for those present and he asked members to show their appreciation by giving a good hearty round of applause. In replying, Mr Allen said he was only too pleased to be able to put his farm at the disposal of the Club and was very pleased they had had an enjoyable day. On May 15th, Y.F.C. members of the executive and advisory committee met at Mr Pattison’s residence at “Davaar,” Kihikihi, to draw up a programme for the Club for the ensuing three months. At the conclusion, Milan Fraser, the chairman, on behalf of the meeting, thanked Mrs Pattison for the use of her house and also for the very appetising supper she had provided.