WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Argus, Volume XV, Issue 6018, 15 July 1903, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB.

WHATAWHATA BRANCH. The monthly meeting of the above branch was held on Saturday evening, Mr Alex. Calder in the chair. A circular was read from Mr W. H. Smith, of Marton, in reference to a new farmers' paper, of which he was the proprietor, and requesting the support of the branch.—The members: present were of opinion that farmers were already well supplied with agricultural papers, and as the Farmers' Union had appointed the New Zealand Farmer as its organ, there was no necessity tor freßh papers. Mr Culder drew attention to the leading article on the Government Experimental Farm, which appeared in the Waikato Arccs of July 6th, and said it correctly represented his views —The other members also considered that the time had arrived when the proper business of the Experimental Station should be taken up, and it was decided to write to the Executive of the Club so that representations might be made to the authorities of the farm. The question of obtaining poisoned grain for small birds was again brought up, and it was decided to request the Newcastle Road Board to supply a quantity to farmers, and appoint a day for general poisoning. PATERANGI BRANCH. At the meeting of the Farmers' Club held at Paterangi on Thursday, there were about fifteen present. Regret was expressed that Mr Lyons could not Bee his way to hold a class here, as the full number of 20 are still willing to attend. As Mr Dick could not attend to give his lecture, a profitable discussion took place on several subjects. The first was on ' Abortion in Cows.' The Chairman read a letter from a friend who gave his experience. This disease, which is often attributed to ergot in rye grass, was caused in various ways, but was most due to contagion (where a unm< ber of cases occurred). The remedy was to isolate the cow at once and bury the calf at once, and wash the animal with a solution of carbolic acid dduted in water in the proportion of about 1 in 40, this must be done two or three times and the animal kept hy herself for nearly three months, and every place of contact, such as bails, disinfected. Several articles were also read from the New Zealand Farmer bearing on the subject —ln the discussion which followed it waß stated by one gentlemen that he had had one case this season and thought that it caused by the cow choking with a turnip. —One farmer in the Rangiaiohia district had twelve cases in his dairy Several cases were mentioned where trouble was caused by cows casting the womb at calving, the mode of replacing it, and subsequent treatment were given. Some articles from the New Zealand Farmer was read treating about butterfat, and the feeding of cows was also brought in in connection with this.—The opinion wasthatas the quantity of milk increased by feeding,the quality of the milk decreased, and the yield of fat depended altogether on the cows. It was arranged that the next meeting be left for Mr Dick's lecture, and the following one be devoted to a discussioo on the Preferential Tariff, Mr Kay to open the subject.