EXPERIMENTAL FARMING

Taranaki Daily News, 18 December 1933, Page 12

EXPERIMENTAL FARMING

PROGRESS AT WAIMATE WEST. The Waimate West experimental farm committee met at Manaia on Friday. In the absence of Mr. J. M. Smith the chair was taken by Mr. T. A. Bridge and there were present Messrs. J. W. Snowdon, H. H. Buxton, F.' Mourie and C. Haynes. The report stated that pastures were showing the effects of the dry weather and none of the paddocks had got away from the stock. The first cut of lucerne was made into ensilage in the silo. The second cut was nearly ready and should the dry weather continue it would be necessary for feeding out. Fields 1 to 5 were used for hay and ensilage, the total area being 30 acres. Hay and ensilage were harvested in good condition. Four acres were sown in swedes and soft turnips, but owing to an attack of the fly and weeds a re-sowing of rape, soft turnips and chou moellier was carried out. The seeds germinated well but the crops required rain. Sixty cows were being milked, the weight on the day being 16001 b at a 4.6 test. The fat for October totalled 26251 b. The stock generally was in good heart and looking welL