FARMERS FROM TARANAKI SEE LINCOLN COLLEGE.

Star (Christchurch), Issue 18780, 8 June 1929, Page 6

FARMERS FROM TARANAKI SEE LINCOLN COLLEGE.

VISITORS IMPRESSED WITH WORK IN HAND. The Canterbury Agricultural College at Lincoln was visited to-day by the party of about 170 Taranaki farmers who are making a visit to the South Island. They arrived in Christchurch last night, and will remain in North Canterbury till Monday evening, when they will leave by the ferry steamer for the north. The party left for Lincoln by train shortly after 9 a.m.. and spent an enjoyable and instructive time in inspecting the many varieties of work, experimental and otherwise, at the college Mr C. D. M’Kenzie, business agent of the Railway Department, Christchurch, conducted the party. On the journey to. Lincoln the party were impressed with the evidence of successful local industry visualised in Kempthorne, Prosser’s large chemical works at Hornby and the Hume Pipe Co.’s works. With regard to the latter, members of the party expressed the opinion that the manufacture of pipes and tiles was a secondary industry that ought to be.encouraged in the Dominion. The visitors were also impressed with the many v.ell-ordered farms that flanked the railway line, and the fine view provided in the combination of hill and plain as the train moved towards its destination. On arrival at Lincoln the party was hospitably received by Mr R.* A. Alexander, director of the college, who, with the able assistance of Dr Hilgendorf, Mr D. Sidey and other members of the staff, conducted the party over the farm where all matters of interest were explained. The qualities of the land in regard to its suitability for the growing of the cereals common to Canterbury and the necessary treatment of the soil to obtain the best results were succinctly described by Mr Alexander, who added that in addition to cereal growing, a main feature was the running of a mixed sheep farm. * Intensive cultivation had enabled the farm to he so productive of good pastures that it was only necessary to hand-feed sheep two or three months in the year. It was one of the objects of the farm to increase the winter ‘carrying capacity to save summer feed. Good autumn rains allied with a thorough working of the soil achieved this object, which had been exemplified this season in Hitsplendid pasturage. Where Taranaki had the advantage of a bountiful rainfall and milder climate, in Canterbury to produce good pasturage tilth aeration, and not too much manure, was required. The visitors were much impressed with the fine sheep that were bred on the farm, including Soutiidowns, Leicesters and Romneys. It was pointed out that sheep’, that were not fed well in the winter would not give the best results in summer. The excellent quality of the cattle came in for comment. The visitors were shown a series of manure top-dressing experiments which opened up an interesting controversy among the members with regard to the value of the different treatments. The party was also interested in the experimental feeding of stock with meatmeal, a new departure at the college. So far it had been found that, owing to the high protein value contained in meat-meal, sheep had thriven better while their lambs were bigger and stronger than under ordinary pasturage conditions. Dr Ililgendorf’s lecture on cereals and grasses and the treatment of fungus diseases was also highly appreciated. After the inspection luncheon svas provided, at the conclusion of which Mr E. J. Betts, president of the South Taranaki Farmers’ Union, took the opportunity on behalf of the party of Mr Alexander, and the college staff for the splendid outing. Mr Alexander, in returning thanks, said that he was greatly impressed with the keen appreciation shown by the visitors in the work of the college. Problems were different at Lincoln as compared with Taranaki. Climaticconditions were not so favourable in Canterbury, and the hand-feeding of stock was a much more important problem here. However, one of the objects of the college wa§ to get the best results out of Canterbury soil to offset the deficiencies of climate. On the return to Christchurch about seventy ir embers left the train at Sockburn in order to witness an aviation display at Wigram Aerodrome. The party will attend a complimentary social in the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s rooms i to-night.