THE WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB

Waikato Times, Volume XXXIV, Issue 2802, 28 June 1890, Page 2

THE WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB

The first annual meeting of the parent branch of the Waikato Farmers' Club will bo held at Cambridge on Monday evening at 7.30 p.m. We specially mention the fact, hoping thereby to secure a full attendance of the members ; a*, in addition to the election of officers for the enduing year, other matters of vital importance to the Club will come tip for discussion, and it is therefore essentially necessary there should be a good attendance, and that full and free expression of opinion should be given by those present. It must be admitted, even by the most sceptical, that the Club has done good work' during the first year of its infancy, which should in a measure tend to ameliorate the present unsatisfactory cond. J. n of the majority of the farming community. A retrospect of the year's work may, perhaps, bring to mind benefits that have been conferred, not only upon the agricultural clusses, but also upon the public at large, by the Club during that period. First and foremost amongst these we place the lectures on "Agricultural Science"delivered by Professor Thomas in the chief townships of Waikato and Waipa. Never before have the fanners of these counties had the opportunity of having "plant life" and its attendant requirements, so thoroughly and yet lucidly explained w> them as was done by the Professor, and those individuals who attended the whole course of lectures —of whom we are proud to say there were several—will doubtless find the information they gleaned of the utmost importance to them in their avocations. Had the Farmers' Club done naught else but have been the cause of these lectures being delivered, we think they would have been amply repaid. If the complete course of lectures had been given in each township, more good would have resulted, but the extra expense of so doing was more than the Club felt justified in incurring; however, now that we have a branch established in Hamilton, and hope soon to have another at Te Awatnutu, any further difficulty in that direction may easily be overcome. Then again, a very interesting and instructive lecture was delivered in Cambiirtge by Mr Dick, on "The Chemistry of Manures.' , This was also given under the auspices of the Farmers' Club. As its title indicates, it dealt with the making up or composing of the various manures, and the lecturer also gave a number of tests by which the fanner could satisfy himself that he was using the fertiliser he required. These lectures aroused our local talent and brought Mr R. R. Hyatt to the fore with a paper on "Lime and its Uses" of which we gave a resume in our supplement. We understand Mr Hyatt has also started an "Agricultural Science" class at the Cambridge West school, which will be of universal benefit to the farmers of the coming generation. The Farmers' Club set the ball rolling and have aroused a spirit of enquiry that we believe will not he satisfied until arrangements are made for periodical lectures on agricultural matters being delivered in Waikato by Professor Thomas, or some other duly qualified person, and we think the Government should be esked to supply the necessary funds for the purpose. In addition to the above tho Club have endeavoured to settle the bag question, i.e., the bags being paid for instead of being weighed in, and if the members of this, and similar institutions, will stand firm and support one another, the millers and merchants must eventually give way. The Taurauga meat freezing scheme has received a large share of attention, and, thould the problem be solved, the Farmers' Club will certainly be entitled to a large share of tho credit, for the numerous phases of the undertaking have boon discussed at length, at their meetings. Space will not permit of our referring to a number of less important matters that have received attention, but we think wu have quoted sufficient to show that the Club is doing a good work, and that it thoroughly deserves the hearty support, not only of the farmers, but also ot tliß cjintr.unity at large, for anything that tends to better tho condition of the farmer, must also make ;nore prosperous times for storekeepers and all who reside in the district. Wo presume—for we have not been behind tho scenes, or received any intimation to that effect—that the question of raising the yearly subscription will crop up at Monday's meeting, for we do not see how the Club can continue carrying on the good work it has inaugerated for the small amount of five shillings per member per annum. Professor Thomas met the Club in a very liberal spirit, and only charged expenses out of pocket, but even that amount absorbs a large number of members' subscriptions. Wo commend this matter to the careful consideration of the members, and, although we know that times are hard and money difficult to obtain, we think that parsimoniousness in this direction may prove the downfall of what is at the present a most valuable institution to the fanner. We trust the Waikato Farmers' Club may continue to prosper in the good work it has begun ; and we do not see any just cause why Waikato should not boast a similar institution to the Christuhurch Farmers' Co-operative Association, which has made a profit, during the past year, of £S,SBt), and had a balance of £1.015 from last year, thus giving the respectable amount of £10,80-1 to be divided. Co-operation does not appear to find favour among the Waikato farmers at present, but the time is coming whin they will find it necessary, and the sooner they face the matter the better it will be for them.