STACKING AND THATCHING DEMONSTRATION.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume XV, Issue 2, 20 August 1917, Page 90

STACKING AND THATCHING DEMONSTRATION.

The rural art of stacking and thatching is one which, unfortunately, has tended to disappear in New Zealand of late years. Poor work

of this class is frequently seen on the farms, resulting in the waste

of valuable material which has been stacked. Some years ago stackbuilders in various districts used to compete against each other by stacking on farms in their districts, and awards were made by experienced judges in connection with agricultural societies. Valuable prizes were given by the Feilding Agricultural and Pastoral Association, among others, for these competitions. Unfortunately, however, the latter

were gradually discontinued. Instruction in stacking and thatching forms part of the training of the student-assistants at the Weraroa Central Development Farm, and in order to arouse interest in the subject it was arranged that the students should give a demonstration with miniature stacks at the Palmerston' North Winter Show held in June. The demonstration was successfully carried out in the Wheeler

Memorial Pavilion, eighteen students competing against each other in pairs. . The work was judged by Mr. J. Balsillie, of Kairanga, points being allotted for stacking, thatching, uniformity, and finish. Six certificates of merit were awarded. The arrangements were in charge of

Mr. W. Dibble, of the Central Development Farm staff, who is acting as instructor to the students in these branches of farming.