BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XIII, Issue 5, 20 November 1916, Page 418

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

The Board of Agriculture held meetings in Wellington on Thursday and Friday, 26th and 27th October, when a number of matters which had been referred to it were dealt with. . ' • ■ A proposal which had been made to the Government, and by it sent on to the Board, to introduce stubble-quail into the Dominion was discussed. As the opinion had been expressed that the proposal, if given effect to, might adversely affect the farmer, it was decided to obtain further information from Australia regarding the habits of the bird before definitely advising the Government in the matter. It was suggested to the Board that steps might be taken to get vendors of artificial manures to give with their price-lists guaranteed analyses in more simple terms. ' The matter, after being freely discussed, was referred to a sub.-committee to inquire fully into, and to report to the Board at .its next meeting. .. . ■ / Several communications regarding sites for the : establishment of additional ■experimental farms-were received, but it was decided to'point out that the Board had already made recommendations to the Government in this direction, but they •could not select any particular places for the farms, this being a question for the Government to decide. - • - \ A sub-committee was set up to make inquiries with regard to the carriage of lime for agricultural purposes on the railways, a; number of complaints on the subject having been received from different parts of the Dominion. ' A proposal that the Board should take steps to initiate a system of judging by points exhibits of live-stock, dairy-produce, cereals, farm-produce, &c., at the agricultural and pastoral shows in the Dominion was referred to a sub-committee to report to the Board at next meeting. • • -■■.-■ The various suggestions that had been made regarding suitable employment for returned soldiers was discussed, particularly a proposal that light employment might be found for a number of men who were physically incapable of hard work, by utilizing their services in the production of potash from seaweed, and arrangements were made to obtain reports on the subject from some of the leading experts •of the Dominion. ” “i ‘ Reports - were received from the Board’s representatives who waited on the Government in regard to the following matters : Purchase of meat' and cheese by the Imperial Government ; export of seedy and dirty wool to allied countries ; removal ■of embargo on the export of hides; and demarcation in connection with -forestry. . In addition to the foregoing, together with other matters -of a confidential nature discussed, the following came up for consideration : Proposed summarizing, •collating, and publishing of the results of agricultural experiments, and the settingup of a soil survey ; deposits of limestone ; agricultural education ; noxious weeds ; and : matters arising out of resolutions referred to the Board by the Council of Agriculture. ' • - A number of other matters had to be deferred until the next meeting, as the Board had to attend the conference convened by the Minister in Charge of Imperial Supplies Branch to discuss the arrangements being made as to the disposal of ■frozen meat to the Imperial Government.

Information regarding Noxious Weeds. For the purpose of securing information with regard to the six worst noxious eeds of arable lands and grass-lands -throughout the Dominion, and the best methods for their eradication or prevention, the Board of Agriculture requests the co-operation of farmers and others on the land by completing a form which it is sending out for distribution by the Fields ■ Inspectors of the Department of Agriculture. Any one desirous of co-operating with the Board in this matter can obtain a form from any of the Inspectors named, ■or from the Secretary of the Board, Wellington. It is desired that the forms should be completed and returned to Wellington not later than 16th December, 1916. The information it is specially desired to obtain ,is what weeds in each district are causing the greatest- amount of harm ; also particulars with regard to the methods of' eradication which have been adopted in the district and have proved efficacious.