NOTES AND COMMENTS

Waikato Times, Volume 127, Issue 21155, 3 July 1940, Page 11

NOTES AND COMMENTS

Show Ground Improvements Various improvements to the show grounds at Claudelands were discussed at a meeting of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association this week. It was decided to remove the old cattle pens and provide new drafting yards, and to hold a working bee on July 10 to carry put the proposed work. The provision of lockers in the pig pavilion for the convenience of exhibitors was also discussed and the secretary, Mr W. L. Ranstead. was asked to take the matter in hand. It was also decided to carry out minor improvements to the grounds. Mud Retards Progress The value of the right conditions for pigs has been indicated in an experiment at the Ruakura Farm. Pigs stied and on grass gave a gain of 27.31 b after 8 weeks but those in an open yard with no grass (conditions generally muddy) gained only 11.41 b for the same period. Indicating the value of grass, a group stied with no grass gained only 19.41 b in comparison with the 27.31 b gained by the pigs on the grass. Pigs cannot gain the weight they should when muddy conditions prevail and the Ruakura experiments should emphasise the extent of the loss that occurs when the pigs are confined to small muddy yards. Diseases of Grass In a recent address to the Auckland Institute at the University College, Mr J. C. Neill, of the plant diseases division of the Plant Research Bureau, referred to two diseases that affected rye grass. One of these, a blind seed fungus, interfered with the germination of the seed. Although the seed appeared to be satisfactory when harvested, it was found when tested that germination was very low. This was tending to make good seed scarce and consequently high in price. The second disease was an endophype, a fungus living within perennial rye grass, and of very great botanical interest. This disease was also under investigation. Woollen Show Ribbons Woollen show ribbons were introduced last year by some Waikato show societies instead of the usual silk ribbons. At a meeting of the executive of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association this week it was decided to adoi>t woollen ribbons for this year’s show. It was pointed out that the woollen ribbons would cost no more than the silk ribbons. The sample ribbons, which were shown to the members of the executive, were very neat and attractive and members expressed their satisfaction with them. Two-wheeled Tractors Some alterations have been made in the power of the small tractors which were introduced into England from America. Each model (each with single cylinder air-cooled engines, and of one, three and five horse-power) is on two wheels only, and becomes a complete unit when fitted with one of the wide range of special attachments for various jobs. Engine controls are mounted on handles of design similar to those of a plough. Steel or pneumatic tyres are optional. All implements speedily attach to a universal tool carriage which simplifies changing, and a power take-off enables the tractors to be used for stationary work. Group Scheme For Shows At the last meeting of the Waikato Agricultural and Pastoral Association, a letter from the Northern District Council, explaining its group scheme for shows, was tabled. The scheme provided for prize winners at various shows being sent on to the central show of the particular district, the freight of the animals being subsidised. The secretary indicated that the executive had on a previous occasion pointed out to the northern council that the scheme would not be a feasible one for the Waikato show as it was a spring fixture. Restricted Feeding Of Pigs The Ruakura Farm co-operative demonstrations for the 1939-40 season in connection with the restricted feeding of bacon pigs have been completed. Altogether 258 pigs were placed on trial, 42 were sold by the owners before the trials were completed and 11 died. Of the 44 wintered stores that were full fed 22 per cent graded No. 1 prime, while of the placed on a restricted diet no fewer than 70 per cent graded No. 1 1 prime. The 58 spring weaners that were full fed gave 22 per cent prime against 65 per cent prime for the 60 weaners on a restricted diet. The co-operative trials were carried out on various farms to indicate the value of restricted feeding of baconers after a certain weigm and to confirm the results of liie trials at the Ruakura Farm. Dominion Sheep Praised Another testimony of the value of New Zealand’s own sheep breed, the Corriedale, comes from Mr C. J. Daley, of the New South Wales Government, who says the breed “has now become an inseparable part of so many pastoral and farming communities.” With regard to the disease-resisting qualities, Mr Daley wrote that “the increased resistance of the Corriedale cross and grade sheep to cold, disease and internal parasites had the profitable result of increasing the birth and survival rate, and lowering costs of supervision and nroduction.” How to Judge Commenting on the decisions arrived at by 12 young men in a judging competition of the pig section at a show in Australia recently, one authority said that it appeared to him that the young judges had been going too much on theory and had not paid enough attention *:> the practical side of judging. In judging, he said, the most essential part of a breeding sow was the underline and teats, and these parts appeared to have been missed by a great number ; of the competition judges.