CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, 25 February 1931, Page 12

CENTRAL TARANAKI NEWS

EXAMPLE AND PRECEPT. STRATFORD FARM DISPLAY FIELD DAY AND DEMONSTRATION Over SO farmers, chiefly from the Stratford district, with a sprinkling of visitors from North and South. Taranaki, attended the field day and demonstration conducted by Mr. J. M. Smith at the Stratford Demonstration Farm yesterday. Mr. Smith, besides holding the position of fields officer to the Agricultural Department, is chairman of the farm committee and had had a close knowledge of the various experiments completed, contemplated and under way. Throughout the tour of the farm he proved a mine of information to inquiries and provided ’a fund of interesting advice. The day was far from pleasant, the party having several times to seek shelter from heavy showers. In the first paddock, the effect of sodium, chlorate spray was to be observed, solutions of 2J per cent., 5 per cent., and 10 per cent, having been.applied to Californian thistle. These experiments had not advanced far enough for the committee to form a definite opinion or to furnish a conclusive recommendation, but on the area sprayed with the 5 per cent, solution, where the thistle was looking particularly “sick,” Mr. Smith stated that the cost worked out at between 15s and' 16s worth of the spray and represented about 10 hours of labour per acre. Second growth was visible, springing up from a number of plants, but Mr., Smith did not anticipate that much time or much cost would be involved in their final eradication. “We should be able to mop up all this paddock easily enough,” he said. In this area a manurial experiment has been in progress since 1917. The paddock was divided in half, one portion being treated with 3cwt of slag per acre every year and the other with 6cwt every second year. According to the year, so one-half appeared better than the other, but on the whole it could not be claimed that there was any advantage accruing to either portion. “This paddock,” said the lecturer, (< is one of the best on the faim and possesses a very fine sole. of’grass. Out aim in pastures is to build up a close and a continuous sward, and we have it here as the result of slag dressings.?’. SODIUM CHLORATE AND THISTLE.

In one corner, an experiment was viewed where sodium chlorate lias demonstrated to be more effective thijn. calcium, chlorate in the eradication of Californian thistle. Much of the thistle had already disappeared from the area treated -with the sodium spray. “You farmers have heard a lot abmit potash,” said Mr. Smith as the party moved to the next field. “Well, here we have been experimenting with this fertiliser, but, over the slag, we cannot notice much improvement, neither do the cattle show any marked preference for the strip treated with sulphate of potash. On the other hand, at Bell Block and at Manaia very definite, results have been achieved from dressings of potash.” Mr. Smith could only advise farmers who desired to persevere with potash to experiment themselves with 30 per. cent, potash. Any farmers could do this by hand. . Death and destruction met the eye m the next field. Here the sodium chlorate spray had been at work on plants of ragwort, and the weed was in process of being eliminated from the pasture. This ' paddock was originally intended for hay, but, awing to adverse weather conditions, half of it was made into ensilage. The party paid a visit to the ensilage stack, where a number of features were pointed but. For instance, it was demonstration how much waste ■was prevented by so arranging the supporting logs that the earth on top was brought right out to the edges and corners of the stack. It was the depth to which air could penetrate that was wasted, said Mr. Smith, and for this reason round stacks, although generally considered more difficult to build, were more economical than rectangular stacks, where a lot of wastage occurred on the corners. Moreover, a round stack offered less area exposed to the weather. The paddock in question had also been subjected to an experiment in potash manures, but here again no definite advantage could be traced.

EXPERIMENT WITH BLACKBERRY.

The party next visited the banks of a small creek, where a proprietary weed eradicator had been tried upon blackberry, fern and even isolated plants of barberry. There w r as a certain amount of second growth showing among the sprayed blackberry, but it was explained that the particular brand of eradicator used took some time to complete its work and the process could, at this stage, neither be condemned nor commended. The effect of calcium chlorate on blackberry and the results, attendant upon spraying with a caustic solution and then setting fire to the plants were also viewed, but neither of these experiments was conclusive at the time of the visit. While the party sheltered .in the scrupulously clean cowshed from a sudden downpour, Mr. Smith took the opportunity of pointing out’ how sodium chlorate, in a 5 per cent, solution, had killed out the growth of buttercup that previously surrounded the shed and yards. The lecturer would not recommend sulphate of ammonia to be used as an ordinary fertiliser, but took ’the party to another paddock, where the effect of this “booster” manure was pointed out.; “Use sulphate of ammonia in lewt dressings before shutting up a field for hay and you will be surprised at the ‘boost’ it will give the crop,” said- Mr. Smith. He also recommended lewt dressings after the hay had been cut or to stimulate autumn growth. On the paddock in question, 296 cow days had resulted in the feeding off of the portion. treated with sulphate of ammonia during the first year of its use, as against 302 cows days for the other portion treated with phosphate, but the same amount of butter-fat was produced. That Rid not seem an advertisement for the nitrogen manure, but the following year resulted in 344 cow days of feeding off the sulphate of ammonia against 302 cow for the other portion. Also 591 b more of butter-fat was taken from the first area than from the second. Thus the difference was represented by 50 days more feeding and 391 b more butter-fat. That extra feeding was in the months of August, September and October.

The balance of the field day was spent in visiting the pit silo and in studying the ryegrass strains experiment. The party then returned to the cowshed, where afternoon tea was served and Mr. Smith was accorded a hearty vote of thanks for his instructive talk and demonstration.

ANNUAL MEETING AT STRATFORD. DECISION TO PRODUCE REVUE. Though there- was a good attendance at the annual meeting of the Stratford

Operatic Society last night, the atmosphere at first was hardly conducive to optimism, especially with the announcement that the president (Mr. S. Macalister) and the conductor (Mr. V. N. Lester) refused nomination, and Mr. C. J. Hickson intimated that he would be pleased to be relieved of his secretarial duties. Finally, however, Mr. Hickson consented to hold office, and asked if the society would produce something this year. The ensuing discussion became brighter as it progressed, and it was terminated with a decision which indicated that at least those who attended the meeting were prepared to do their best to resuscitate the society and once more bring its name prominently before the public.

The effect of the talkies was discussed in the report, which stated: — “The past year has been one of inactivity, mainly owing to the uncertainty as to how the advent of the talkies would affect the position. It was felt that, when people could see the reproduction of an opera performed by leading professional players and with all the wealth of scenery and dressing that accompanies the performances in the big European and American theatres, they would not support a local production, especially one staged by amateurs with the limited means at their disposal. Of late, however, a reaction seems to have set in, and the time seems to be ripe for a renewal of the society’s activities.” FINANCES SATISFACTORY. Apart from one small item, the society was unable to hire any of its assets during the year, the report continued. Arrangements had been made with the Dunediu society to hire the scenery and wardrobe of the “Belle of New York,”'and those had been.dispatched, when it was found that a professional company was producing the opera ou the dates proposed by the Dunedin society, which was therefore compelled to abandon the idea of producing. The financial position of the society was satisfactory, there being a balance of cash in hand amounting to about £45-after all outstanding liabilities were paid. As there were certain recurring expenses, that amount would soon disappear unless steps were taken to ensure an income. Last year the income amounted to £6, and the expenditure, which was considerably smaller than usual, to £l6. ’. v

“The thing is now: Do we produce something, or do we not?” said Mr. Hickson.

The time was hardly opportune for an opera, but it should be possible to produce' something in lighter vein, said Mr. Till.

. “It is deplorable that a town the size of Stratford cannot produce something in the musical line,” said the chairman, Mr. Kear. The secretary had produced very good show’s in the past and could do so again. There was talent in the town and it was only a matter of getting performers together. It might be possible, he said, to produce something quickly- and donate the proceeds to the earthquake fund. There had been lacking in some of the younger people that sense of responsibility and enthusiasm that was essential if the secretary’s efforts were to be successful, said Mr. Hickson. LACK OF ENTHUSIASM IN PAST. Great difficulty had been experienced last year in getting members to attend the practices, the attendances at which gradually dwindled to practically nothing, said Mr. Lester. Although he had done his best as conductor he had not had his heart in “High Jinks” as he had in the previous productions, for it had been too light to appeal to him. Nevertheless, 'there was a certain type of light opera that appealed to the public, which at a time like the present must be given value, for. money. People would not support a production solely because it was a local effort.

Miss G. Galbraith thought members should adopt a more optimistic attitude. She realised it was hard to produce an opera, but there should be scope, she said, for a revue, or something of a similar nature.

It was decided to recommend to the committee that a revue be produced, and Mr. W. G. Holder, New Plymouth, will be asked if he has anything suitable for the society’s requirements.

Officers elected were:—Patron, the Hon. R. Masters; president, Mr. P. Thomson (subject to consent); vicepresidents, Messrs. F. Kear and H. Graham; secretary, Mr, C. J. Hickson; treasurer, Mr. C. Till; conductor, selection held in abeyance; committee, Mrs. H. Chadwick, Misses G. Galbraith and M. Massey, Messrs. V. N. Lester and J. Howard; auditor, Mr. S. A. .Ward.

EARTHQUAKE RELIEF FUND.

STRATFORD DISTRICT DONATIONS.

TOWN FUND OVER ;£1176.

Contributions to the Stratford earthquake relief fund now total well over £llOO. Recent donors and the amounts they have given are:— Previously acknowledged £lO2l 12s 4d. Mr. and Mrs. G. Newell £1 Is, J. Squire £l, Mr. and Mrs. W. Young, £l, Mr. and Mrs. G. Collingwood £l, Mr. and Mrs. A. Eichstaedt £2 2s, Mr. A. Lilley £l, Mr. J. Sattler £l, Kleeman and Bishop £3 3-s, Union Foundries (No. 2) £2 6s 9d, T. Lawson and Son £1 Is, Orr family £2 2s, Primary School (additional) 12s; D. White £2 2s, J. Jacobsen and family £3, Mr. and Mrs. W. Rogers £1 Is, Friend 10s, D. Butchart and staff £l, Douglas district £2B 7s, J. H. Kirkby £l, Girls’ Social Club, Tahora £3, Ladies’ (dance) Tahora £5 2s, R. E. Plews £l, L.F. 10s, Anonymous ss, Huinga social and dance £3 10s, Mrs. H. T. Cooper £.l, Stratford Jersey Cattle Club £5 ss, J. Groschinski £l, Mrs. E. D, Evans ss, P. Morrisey £2 2s, ,Robt. Masters £lO 10s, Sympathiser £l, W, Jacobsen, Tututawa 10s 6d, Croydon Road school children £1 Is 3d, A. C. Milne, Kohuratahi £1 6s, J. D. Healy £l, J. E. 10s, Cardiff district £6O 15s 6d, Mr. E. C. Middleton £l, W. F. ss. Total to date, £1176 (is lOd.

A donation of £lO has been voted by the To-ranaki Justices of the Peace Association.

Details of the Douglas contributions are: W. .Rumbeil £l, Sympathiser £l, E. Colo £l, A. Wytkin £l, Sympathiser ss, A.’Robertson fis, Hall Committee £2 2s, Dance £2 4s, E. Walter £l, C. Bredow £l, H. Hobbs 16s, Euchre Party £lO 15s, C. Warrall £5, J. Wallace £l. Total, £2B 7s.

Details of the Cardiff lists are:— Mr. Hancock’s list: D. Brunton £4 4s, J. Stewart £1 Is, E. W. Hancock £1 Is, D. Shannon 10s, L. Redshaw 10s, L. Wickham £1 Is, W. Bullock 10s, Mr. Hollands ss, Sympathiser ss, Mrs. Dymond £1 Is, F. J. Purdy ss, P. Goble 2s, J. P. White ss, Anonymous ss, Roadman ss, D. Huckstep 2s 6d, Friend ss. Total, £ll 17s 6d. Miss Small’s list: Mr. and Miss Small (previously subscribed), D. Cameron £5, Mrs. D. Cameron £5, M. A. Richards £2 2s, E. Wisnewski 10s, C. Stewart 10s, F. Winmill 10s, H. Petersen ss, H. B. Dimmer 10s, P. O’Sullivan 10s, Miss R. Were 10s, T. H. Richards £5, Mrs. R. Smith ss, Sympathiser ss. Total, £2O 17s. Mr. Mander’s list: J. T. Belcher, £3 3s, F. W. Myers 10s, Mrs. J. Tilley 4s, V. Wisnewski ss, A. T. Mander ss. Total, £4 7s. Mr. Clemow’s list: H. Clemow, £l,

C. Hughes 10s, P. Dodunski 2s _6d, J. Dunchy ss, Mr. and Mrs. Hoskin 10s, Mr. Greenwell £2 2s, Mrs. P. Horn ss, MMr. and Mrs. P. Smith £l, M. Steiner junr. 2s 6d, Mr. and Mrs. S. Gadsby 15s, Mr. and Mrs. A. Cleland £3 3s, Mr. Cyril Gadsby ss, Mrs. Ellis ss, Mr. R. Richardson £1 Is, Mr. and Mrs. J. M. Steiner £1 Is. Total, £l4 12s. Mr. Carley’s list: C. S. Carley -senr. 10s, T. Allen 10s, F. Askew 10s, Brown Bros. 10s, D. McGlinchey 10s, A. M. O’Sullivan £1 Is, Friend ss, E. Benhett £l, J. Gall £l, T. Carley 10s, Friend ss, C. Carley 10s. Total, £7 Mr. C. Marchant’s list: C. A. Marchant £l, “Jim” 10s, J. Miller 6s, G. A. Marchant and Marchant Bros, (previously contributed, J. Neutroski ss. Total, £2 Is.