FARM AND GARDEN

Waikato Times, Volume 97, Issue 1600, 31 May 1924, Page 21 (Supplement)

FARM AND GARDEN

HCRSCULTURAL EVENTS FOR WEEK ENDING JUNE 7. MONDAY. Stock Sale at Cambridge. Stock Sale at Ngatea. WEDNESDAY. Stock Sale at Hamilton. THURSDAY. Stock Sale at Tirau. FRIDAY. Stock and Heifer Sale at Waihou. SATURDAY. Stock Sale at Te Awajnutu. A GOVERNMENT LABORATORY. NEED OR DAIRYING INDUSTRY. In his remarks before the annual meeting of the New Zealand dairy factory managers in Hamilton on Thursday evening, the retiring 'president. Mr J. G. Ward, of Pukekohe, made reference to the necessity for the establishment by the Government of laboratories in connection with the work of the dairy division in this country. This was a subject on which the Association had made representations to the Government in the past, but they were no further ahead. The vital importance of laboratories to ca'Ty on to the most efficient degree the work in which the members ot' the Dairy Division were concerned, ebuta not be over-stressed, in Mr Ward’s opinion. It was also a matter of concern to the factory managers and‘to the producers by reason of the fact that the very keen competition of the world’s markets for dairy produce made it essential that not only the best brams but the best equipment sho-uld be made available. FACTORY MANAGERS CONFER. TROPHIES. AND MEETINGS. When the dairy factory managers assemble in conference at the annual .meeting at Palmerston North next year there will be two important items winch will come up for discussion by way .of notice of motion. They were on the agenda at the annual meeting in Hamilton. The first is in regard to tire attitude of the Association with respect to trophies for competition among the members at various shows. There was a wide measure of discussion on this subject at Thursday’s meeting, and a vote showed “level pegging.” but the casting vote of theretiring Dominion president (Mr J. G. Ward) gave it in favour of deleting the provision of trophies in the future by the Association. From those in opposition there instantly came a notice of motion to rescind the latest decision as it was their contention that the meeting was not sufficiently representative to determine such an important question. The other matter for discussion m 12 months emanates from the retiring president, who claims that Palmerston should be the.permanent place for the annual meeting, instead of alternating between there and Hamilton. Palmerston. he asserts, is the more central for members from south and north and both from the aspects of discussion and of finance the Association’s needs would be better met so far as annual meetings are concerned. - In the meantime it can be expected ’that the forces pro and con will assemble their oral ammunition for presenting in combined force when .12 months roll round. LACK OF DISTRICT COURTS. The absence of District Count displays at the Winter Show this year was a disappointing feature. These displays could and should be made one of The great attractions of the Show ana provide the very keenest of rivalry between the various districts. There are one or two districts, such as Raglan and King. Country, which have been represented in this way in tine past and their courts have not only earned the admiration of the ■ public who inspected them, but they proved a splendid means of advertising the district which was concerned in their make-up. The Waikato' and South Auckland terUVries are prolific in districts from which an assembly of courts could he Darned which would rh.A- a great display of what the soil and the efforts of those who till it, along with the mineral and other wealth, .are capable of. The great factor is that by” these courts the producivity of a "district is brought in aggregate form directly to the notice of the Show visitors, who would not otherwise have the opportunity of carrying out the inspection in detail on the actual site, where Lhe produces are raised or the minerals exist. What is required, it is apparent is to get the districts actively interested in the events displayed and by the setting up of committees of the “real live” order in each much could be achieved which would be a credit to themselves and a striking testimony to the productivity of this great part of the Dominion. JOTTINGS. The membership tabic of the N.Z. Dairy Factory Managers’ Association, as presented at the annual meeting in Hamilton, showed the figures for lhe past two years as under: Auckland, J 1)23, 72, 11)24. 04; Taranaki, 50 and 01: Manawalu. 3d and 41; Wairarapa, 1 7, and 16: Bush Districts, 11) and 17; Hawke’s Bay. 15 and 17; South Island, 2 7 and 28: totals. 1923. 230; 1924, 244, During 1923 15 new members were received, while 31 joined in 1924. There were 79 members in arrears with subscriptions in 1923, while the 1924 returns have reduced that • to 02. The Waikato Winter Show this year has proved a greater attraction to the agricultural community than ever. The dairying section, which is after all of paramount importance to the Wkikato, was on a scaic which has never previously been approached. Although the season has not been the most favourable there was a line display of root crops which, like the dairy products, won high commendation from judges and show visitors •file famous Friesian sire Woodcrest ' Pietje Pontiac, imported to South Australia a little under a year ago by Messrs 11. Collins and Co., of “Luccrndale,” Mount Bryan, died recently. Purchased for 2500 guineas from Mr ,1. Donald, the founder of the Westmere stud, Wanganui, N.Z., Woodcrest Hiet.je Pontiac was regarded as the greatest sire in the dairy world, and ] is death is a severe blow to Mr A. Collins, who recently interested himself in a big commercial Friesian stud enterprise. Woodcrest Pietje Pontiac was bred at Woodcrest Farm, New York, by the lute Mr Diinick. Mr Donah! took so great a fancy to him when visilii)g Urn States, that evonIdaily lie persuaded Mr Dimrck to allow iiirn to bring the bull to New Zealand. His daughters, all bred by Mr Donald, have made remarkable records, and are lo be found, as are his sons, in ail parts of Australia and

throughout New Zealand. Woodcrest Pietje Pontiac's name will be kept green in Australia and New Zealand by a long list of daughters and granddaughters, his female stock invariably proving notable producers.