N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 58, Issue 2, 20 February 1939, Page 177

N.Z. Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs.

Edited by

S. Freeman,

, Dominion Organizing Secretary.

North Canterbury Club’s Field Day.

D. COLEMAN,

Amberley Club.

THE North Canterbury Club’s annual field-day, which was held on 17th October, was an outstanding success

in every way, and provided a variety of interesting and instructive events.

, The party, which comprised about fifty members of the Oxford, Oust, Amberley, and Scargill Clubs, assembled in the Amberley Domain at 9 a.m., and the programme began with Mr. J. Wyllie giving a demonstration on a Clydesdale, which was lent by Mr. A. Hislop. Following this, Mr. R. Peach demonstrated the points to be desired in a Milking Shorthorn cow, which was lent by Mr. J. Breen Sheep-judging. The annual sheep-judging competition was the next event,, and it was pleasing to. note the greatly increased interest 1 which was shown. We were indebted to (Mr. E. S. Taylor for the use of some of his English Leicesters for the competition, and for the ' demonstration which was given after the judging by Mr. D. Sidey, of Lincoln College. A challenge cup, given by the Chairman of the District Committee, Mr. H. G. Parish, for the winner of the judging competition, was won by W. Croy, of the Oxford Club. • ■ ; At the invitation of Mr. J. B. Bowker, the party visited his property, "Claremont,” where a picnic lunch completed the morning’s activities. After lunch, Mr. Bowker conducted the .party over his farm, pointing out his I convenient type of sheep-dip and showing his range of implements. - Because of the uncertainty of turnips, in this district Mr. Bowker has abandoned this Crop, and now uses lucerne hay for all the supplementary winter feeding. '

Inspection of Pastures. A fine stand of lucerne was inspected, and large reserve stacks of baled hay showed that ample fodder is grown for the wintering of all stock. All the pastures appeared to be well established, and Mr. Bowker explained the different treatments the ' various pad docks had received. Superphosphate is used to some extent for top-dressing, but although the property is all on limestone - country Mr. Bowker considers that his land .needs liming, and he intends to carry out a comprehensive liming ‘programme in the future'. ■ ■ - - : "

One glass paddock showed obvious signs of the presence of porina grub, which has been causing some trouble in the district recently. The various formations and types of limestone were explained, and an enjoyable visit concluded with a visit to The Bishops Head,” , one of the finest specimens of freak limestone formation. The concluding event was a visit to the Amberley Limeworks adjacent to Mr, Bowker’s property,, where the party were the guests of the -directors at the opening ceremony of ■ the new works. 4" * *

National Y.F.C. Shearing Competition. G. S. ROBINSON, District Secretary, Manawatu.

r T"’HE first National Y.F.C. Shearing THE first National held Shearing Competition was held on sth November, 1938, during the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s Show at Palmerston North. The competition was held under the auspices of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, and the whole of the arrangements were undertaken and carried out by the Manawatu District Committee. At the 1937 Royal Show held at Palmerston North the previous November a national judging championship was arranged, and was used as the basis of selection for the Y.F.C. team which toured Australia for ten weeks in the early part of 1938. The Y.F.C. attraction on this latter occasion was the shearing competition and championship, prize money to the amount of £6O being donated by the Manawatu Agricultural and Pastoral Association, which materially contributed to the success of the undertaking. . Entries were received from clubs throughout the Dominion, and . the competitors numbered ninety-four, both islands being represented. Elaborate arrangements were necessary to cope with this large number of entries, and also to make provision for the general public to

view the contest. The committee was fortunate in having at its disposal a large hall at the agricultural and pastoral showgrounds capable of allowing several thousand spectators to be present at a time. Thrilling Contests. Along one side of this hall ten machineshearing stands were erected, and in each heat ten competitors went down together and made a race of it. This proved very popular with the public, which was provided with thrilling contests throughout the day. Speed, however, was not the only factor in the competition, style and neatness being also taken into consideration. The following is a list of the prizewinners in each class : Championship. R. Hutt, Onga Onga Y.F.C. (/21), 1. I. Brown, Te Puke Y.F.C. (£7), 2. W. Thompson, Rangiwahia Y.F.C. (£3), 3. Intermediate. ' D. Carman, Tinui Y.F.C. (£l2), 1. G. W. Blixt, Pohangina Y.F.C. (£5), 2. R. L. Meads, Waituna West ' Y.F.C. (Z2), 3Learners. J. Meads, Hunterville Y.F.C. (£2), 1.

Eight prizes of £i each were awarded to the following : G. T. Thind, Shannon Y.F.C. ; E. J. Osborne, Apiti Y.F.C. ; P. G. Thevenard, Kimbolton Y.F.C. ; D. Simmons, Dannevirke Y.F.C. ; W. J. Cooper, Masterton Y.F.C. ; H. H. Cooper, Masterton Y.F.C. ; S. Hay, Tinui Y.F.C. ; A. Stewart, Bunnythorpe Y.F.C. J. Meads, Hunterville Y.F.C., also won Mr. J. A. Mitchell’s special prize of £x for the neatest shearer in the learners* class. * Accommodation Taxed. • Sufficient seating accommodation was arranged by the local district committee to enable more than a thousand people to witness the contests. From 10.30 a.m. until about 5 p.m. the hall was packed, and the tiered seats held many more than was expected of them, in addition to which crowds of spectators were standing. It is estimated that fully two thousand people watched the shearing all day. The competition required the help of many hands to keep everything op schedule. A . keen sub-committee was responsible for the preliminary arrangements, and a band of sixty stewards undertook the many duties requiring attention during the running of the

competition itself. ■ Special mention must be made of Messrs., E. W. Barnett and K. Mitchell, who were at the microphone announcing the heats and results, &c., and giving a running commentary on the >competition. Mr. Lawson, sen., of Kimbolton, and Mr. D. Rowland, of Kairanga, acted as chief sheep-penning stewards. The wool-classing ' and baling was in the capable hands of Messrs. L. Little, A. Nielsen, and I. Fraser. The ten timekeepers were under the supervision of Mr. Richardson, of Kairanga. Messrs. B. Irvine and A. Puplowski were responsible for the carrying and droving of the sheep, which were kindly lent by the Palmerston North City Council. The sheep, 400 in all, were an even line of four-tooth wethers which were grazing on the aerodrome, and were shedded at Mr. A. W. Sutherland's farm, Kairanga, and at Massey College. Judges* Difficult Task. Probably the most difficult task of all was that of the judges. Unenviable though their duties were, they carried them out to the satisfaction of all. The three supervising judges were Messrs. A. W. Hudson, P. de Malmanche, and K. Duncan, and the junior judges were Messrs. J. B. Chrystall, H. M. Linklater, A. H. Guy, D. Scott, and R. Linklater. One of the highlights of the day was a shearing demonstration by Mr. P. de

Malmanche, former world’s champion machine-shearer. Demonstrations were also given by Messrs. Hopi and Pine with the machines, and Mr. S. Green with the blades. The day concluded with a Young Farmers’ Ball, at which there was an attendance of over three hundred. The success of this function was due largely to the excellent arrangements made by the Ladies’ Committee consisting of representatives of the Women’s Division of the Farmers’ Union, the Women’s

Institute, and the Y.W.C.A., with Mrs. J. A. Russell as convenor. Mr. H. J. Lancaster, Chairman of the Manawatu District Committee, presented the prizes for the shearing competition, and thanked all who had helped to make the day such a success. Mr. J. Hodgens, M.P., and Mr. A. E. Mansford, Mayor of Palmerston North, were present and also spoke. The ball was a fitting conclusion to one of the most successful activities held by the Young Farmers’ Clubs throughout the Dominion.

Scargill-Omihi Club’s Field Day.

clutha McKenzie,

Advisory President, Scargill - Omihi Club.

✓“X-N 10th December the Scargill-Omihi ON 10th December first club field-day Y.F.C. held its first club field-day at Happy Valley at the property of Mr. D. S. McKenzie. Invitations were extended to patrons, parents, and farmers interested in the club, in addition to a small party of students from Lincoln College, and in spite of late shearing and delayed haymaking preventing many from attending there were between fifty and sixty present. The party assembled at the homestead at 10 a.m., - and after morning tea inspected the home paddocks. Ninety acres of swedes were ridged this year, and scuffling, operations were witnessed. Some good pastures were then inspected a 60-acre paddock which had recently

been broken in from heavy scrub, and several old pastures which had been brought back by liming and top-dressing. After lunch Mr. D. Sidey, of Lincoln College, gave an interesting talk and demonstration on the Corriedale sheep and on sheep-covering. The party then inspected the lime-crushing plant on the property, after which brief talks on the effect of liming were given by Mr. McKenzie and Mr. Nash (Department of Agriculture). Some obviously beneficial results from lime, which is applied at the rate of 30 cwt. to 2 tons per acre, were then viewed, followed by further inspection of paddocks, during which Messrs. Flay and Bevin, of Lincoln College, gave talks on

pasture establishment, grazing, &c. After seeing some virgin land, formerly covered in manuka scrub, being swamp-ploughed the party returned to the homestead for afternoon tea at 4.30 p.m. . The main points of interest on the property were the results of extensive liming and pasture establishment, as well as much development work in breaking-in scrub country. The farm buildings, shelter-belts, &c., were also of great interest. ■ Thanks are due to Messrs. Sidey, Flay, Bevin, and Nash, >• whose talks Were greatly appreciated; and also to Mr. and Mrs. . McKenzie for their kindness and hospitality. ■J «

Progress of Y.F.C. in Poverty Bay. K. W. COOPER, Gisborne Club.

THE Gisborne Y.F.C., the pioneer club in the Poverty Bay district, was .formed on 17th July, 1935, with ten members. Since then steady progress has been made. The membership is at present fifty-four, and a number of clubs have been formed in the district. Until recently meetings of the Gisborne Club were held in the office of Mr. W. E. Chamberlain, Secretary of the A. and P. Association,, but this eventually became too small to accommodate the number. Meetings are . now held in the Repertory Society’s Hall, which is very satisfactory for the purpose, having comfortable accommodation, a fireplace for cold nights, and a stage fitted with floodlights. At the time the Gisborne Club was formed it was suggested that it was perhaps not desirable to . bring young men into town for the meetings. This, however, has proved an advantage rather than a disadvantage, because in addition to having excellent hall accommodation, arrangements have been , made with a restaurant for members to have private suppers before going home after meetings.

“Mock Dinner.” To mark the termination of last year a very successful “ mock dinner ” was held immediately after the annual general meeting. The main object of the dinner, which was conducted on formal lines, was to give members a slight education on the functions of such a gathering. There were fourteen toasts on the toast list. Each . was proposed by a club member, and the person honoured, who was in some way associated with the movement, was called upon to reply. A general invitation was extended to the friends and parents of members to be present at the function. The club won the efficiencyshield donated by Mr. E. M. Bates,: District Secretary, for competition among clubs in the Poverty Bay district. A club library has been formed, . and although it is not very large at . present it is hoped that it will soon be extended as more funds become available. The original books in the library were mainly donated by club members. Mr. L. Munro was elected to take charge of the library.

Competitions. Among competitions being conducted in the club is one for the best-kept farm diary. A mangold-growing competition has been conducted each season by a seed firm, and the winner this year was G. W. Smith, with 144 tons per acre, K. W. Cooper, with 1341 tons per acre, being second. The competition was judged by Mr. E. M. Bates, Department of Agriculture. Points were allotted for weight, cultivation, size, weeds, workmanship, and records. Smith scored 151 points and Cooper 148 points. Interest was taken by other competitors, and members in the different methods used in the production of the crops, and much valuable information was obtained in this manner. At the last Poverty Bay A. and P. Show members undertook to conduct a sheep weight-guessing competition as a means of raising funds, and the- efforts by the members were well rewarded. At each show members have had the opportunity of acting as stewards .in classes in which they were, interested.

In addition, last year three members were privileged to assist as associate judges. ■ Great enthusiasm has been maintained at all meetings, and members are taking advantage of every opportunity available to them. At each meeting a number of members volunteer to give short talks, some demonstrating points by means of diagrams, blackboard drawings, and models. Last year more subjects were covered by members than by outside speakers. Debating has proved an interesting feature, and at the October meeting two debates were held, eight members taking part in each debate.

The subjects were “ That the Horse Is Preferable to the Tractor for Farm Power,” and “ That the Present Livestock Embargo should be Lifted.” The adjudicator was the Rev. K. Liggett. An account has been opened in a local trading bank, which will not only facilitate the paying of accounts but will also give a number of members the opportunity of gaining experience with the handling of cheques. Next Year’s Programme. An interesting and comprehensive programme is in hand in the Poverty Bay

district for the coming year, and I hope to have the opportunity at a later date of reviewing in these pages another successful season. Members generally are realizing the great value of the Y.F.C. movement, and there is no doubt that it has come to stay. These notes have been written with the aim of creating interest between one district and another. It is only by discussing and publishing news of our activities that we can get fresh ideas. I shall be pleased if this effort of mine results in other club members sending in notes about their club activities.

Lincoln College Scholarship’ Awarded.

THE announcement that George Osborne Fallow, * of Thornbury, Southland, has been selected out of twenty applications . received from members of Young Farmers’ Clubs throughout the South Island to hold the Canterbury Agricultural College Old Students’ Association Scholarship for 1939 is made by Mr. A. C. Cameron, Chairman of the Otago-Southland Council of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs. The Scholarship is available for one year at Lincoln College.

The successful applicant is a son of Mr. John Fallow, a. well-known farmer in Thornbury, Southland. He is twentythree years of age, and is the present, Chairman of the Thornbury Young Farmers’ Club, in which he has taken a very active interest since its inception

some years ago. He has also served a term as Secretary of the club, and, in addition to being its representative on the Southland District Committee, he is one of the Southland representatives on the Otago-Southland Council of the Federation. At all times he has proved himself to be an able and conscientious delegate, possessing a strong personality and sound common-sense. In addition to the work he has done for the Young Farmers’ Club movement, Mr. Fallow has taken an active interest in various activities in his district. He is a member of the Anzac Memorial Committee, the Thornbury Public Hall Committee, the Thornbury Presbyterian Bible Class, and the Thornbury Miniature Rifle Club. He possesses fine personality and physique, and is also a particularly good debater. He has been working on his father’s sheep and dairy farm at Thornbury since

:■December, 1931, and prior to that had three years’ secondary education at the Southland Technical High School., High Standard of Applications. . The selection committee, Messrs. Alan Grant (Dominion President and Chairman of the Canterbury Council), R. McGillivray (Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch), J. M. Smith (Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture, Dunedin), and A. C. Cameron (Chairman of the Otago. - Southland Council), report that, generally speaking, they were satisfied with the standard of applications received this year, some of them being outstanding. . Several promising applications had to be passed over because the members concerned are young and have not had much opportunity to prove themselves in Young Farmers’ Club work, but in the opinion of the selectors one or two of these young farmers will have to be

considered during the next year or two. Generally speaking, the standard of the Southland applicants was higher than elsewhere in the South Island. In the opinion of the selectors, the qualifications of several of the applicants warrants an endeavour being made to obtain additional 1939 scholarships for the Southland and Canterbury Provinces, and steps will be taken in this connection early in the New Year.

Stock-judging Competitions at Invercargill Show.

SEVERAL sheep-judging competitions open to Young Farmers’ Club members were held at the Invercargill Show. Fifty entries were received for the two main events— for the Romney Marsh sheep, and twenty for the Southdowns. The high standard attained by the competitors was commented on by the judges, Messrs. J. M. Watson and S. Ayson. Both classes were very keenly contested. The following are the prizewinners in the two competitions : Romneys.L. Middlemiss (Woodlands)/ J. Clark (Tussock Creek), J. Drummond (Five Rivers), and A. G. Anderson (Waimatuku), first equal. Special prizes : L. Middlemiss, J. Clark, and A. G. Anderson. Southdowns.—G. H. Mcllwrick (Otapiri), first; W. Clark (Woodlands), A. Campbell (Woodlands), A. J. Edwards (Otikirama), R. McPherson (Invercargill), and R. Mcllwrick (Winton), second equal. Special prizes : A. Campbell and • M. W. Clark. . <■ <• O

Ashburton’s First Inter-club Debate. V. P. BOOT, District Secretary, Ashburton.

THE Ashburton district’s first interclub debate was held in the Anglican Hall, Methven, on 28th

November. Teams representing the Ashburton, Hinds, Mayfield, and Methven Clubs took part, the subject debated being “ That the Young Farmer of Today has Greater Opportunities than his Grandfather.”

Mr. C. Wightman, Chairman of the Methven Club, introduced Mr. R. J. Low, the club's Advisory President, who welcomed the large gathering of ' visitors from all parts of the Ashburton County. The judge, Mr. E. J. Woods, outlined the conditions of the debate, and the contest opened with the Mayfield Y.F.C. team supporting the' affirmative and the Methven Y.F.C. team supporting the negative. Following this, the Hinds Y.F.C. team took the affirmative and the Ashburton Y.F.C. team the negative. The speakers for the various clubs were as followsAshburton Y.F.C. : G. Moorhead (leader), D. Cretney, and D. Middlemiss. Hinds Y.F.C. : L. Watson (leader), J. Tait, and D. G. Tait. Mayfield Y.F.C. : R. Mulligan (leader), L. Doyle, and C. Sewell. Methven Y.F.C. : R. Penny (leader), J. Vallance, and C. Wightman. The competition was closely contested, the Methven team being declared the winners by a small margin. Judge’s Congratulations. At the conclusion of the debate the judge congratulated all the speakers on their fine efforts, and pointed out that the speeches were particularly meritorious in view of the fact that several of the young farmers had had no previous debating experience. He further congratulated the Young Farmers’ Clubs for supporting the competitions, which postered in their midst one of the most important of the cultural —public speaking. The points raised during the debate showed a sound knowledge of such matters as the scientific developments in agriculture, diseases in crops and stock, the early history of the county and the land-development therein, and the trends of land values, prices, &c. In a constructive criticism of the speeches Mr. Woods laid the foundation for a high standard of public speaking in the Young Farmers’ Clubs in the Ashburton County.

Votes of thanks were passed to the judge, to Messrs. Low and Kingan, who acted as chairman and timekeeper respectively, and to Mr. V. P. Boot, the District Secretary, who organized the debating competition. The votes of thanks were moved by Messrs. C. Chisnail, T. Mulligan, and J. Fleming. At the conclusion of the debate the visitors were the guests of the .Methven Club at an excellent supper. During the evening Mr. Boot announced that members of the Ashburton Rotary Club had shown their interest in the welfare of the young farmers of the

county by donating a challenge cup for annual competition in the inter-club debating competition. This cup would be presented to the winning Methven team at a Rotary Club luncheon to be held in the New Year, when the team and representatives of the District Executive Committee would be the guests of the Rotary Club. This generous gesture was greatly appreciated by the members, and wholehearted applause greeted the announcement. The cup should provide additional incentive, and so assure the success of the competitions next year, when the Hinds Y.F.C. will be the hosts for the evening.

Field Day at Waimana, Bay of Plenty.

C. R. TAYLOR,

District Secretary, Whakatane.

THE Waimana Club recently held a successful field-day on Mr. T. W. Wardlaw’s farm. Fifteen members competed in the judging of dairy cows in preparation for the selection of a stock-judging team to represent the district at a competition to be held annually between teams from Eastern and Western Bay of Plenty and Rotorua. The inter - district competition is scheduled to take place this year at the Whakatane Agricultural and Pastoral Association’s show on the 21st February. Next year the competition will be held either at Rotorua or Tauranga,

the object being to give the Y.F.C. organization in each district the opportunity of arranging the activity. A trophy has been donated for the competition by Messrs. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd. An inter-district bacon-pig competition has also been arranged, but details of a special trophy, &c., have yet to be finalized. ■ ■■ The awards at the Waimana field-day for the dairy-cow judging competition were as follows : D. Rae, i ; L. Macdonald, 2 ; F. Mitchell, 3.

Canterbury Clubs’ Stock-judging Competition.

L. W. BLACKMORE,

District Secretary, Christchurch.

X 7ERY keen interest was displayed VERY keen interest was displayed in the Young Farmers’ Clubs’ stock-judging competition organized by the Christchurch District Committee and held at the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Show at Christchurch on 11th November. In all, thirty-nine members, representing thirteen clubs, took partsix teams from the Christchurch district, four from the North Canterbury district, and three from MidCanterbury.

Three breeds of stock were judged, the English Leicester, the Ryeland, and the Milking Shorthorn, the Lincoln College system of judging being used. The support given and the active interest taken by the members of the Agricultural and Pastoral Association the various breed societies, and Lincoln College was greatly appreciated, and augurs well for the success of future competitions. Trophies were given by the Milking Shorthorn, Ryeland, and New

Zealand Sheep Breeders’ Associations for the competitors gaining the highest scores in the judging of the individual breeds, and Mr. L. W. McCaskill presented a challenge shield for the club in the Christchurch district with the highest aggregate. In addition, three prizes, each of two guineas, were given by the Canterbury Council for the members of the winning Canterbury team, and three miniature cups by the Christchurch District Committee for the members of the winning district team. The Darfield Club is to be congratulated on winning both the district and provincial competitions. Mr. Allan Grant, Dominion President was present at the prize-giving. He stressed the great value of such competitions, and congratulated the clubs on the excellent support they had given. Results of the competition are as follow : Club Team Competition (all Canterbury). Darfield (J. Reid, J. D. Gallagher, D. Selby), 60 points, i. Ladbrooks (S. McKenzie, D. McLaughlin, M. Meyer), 59 points, 2.' Ellesmere (G. Rennie, M. Brooks, D. Hurford), 53 points, 3. Open Competition. English Leicester : S. McKenzie, Ladbrooks Y.F.C., 23 points, 1. Ryeland : R. Reid, Darfield Y.F.C., 22 points, 2. Milking Shorthorn : D. A. McLaughlin, Ladbrooks Y.F.C., 22 points, 3. Christchurch District Competition. Darfield Young Farmers’ Club, 1.

LETTERS TO THE EDITOR.

Brightening up Meetings.

To the Editor, Y.F.C. Section. Sir, — At a recent meeting of the Manawatu District Executive Committee . a number of suggestions were put forward with the idea of brightening up the monthly meetings of Young Farmers’ Clubs. There is little doubt that the attendance at many club meetings would be greatly improved if the business section of the evening were made more interesting and club , affairs more keenly and fully discussed by members. Club officials should remember their responsibilities in encouraging the more " silent ” members to take part in discussions rather , than leave all the talking to the lecturer or speaker for the evening. Some of the suggestions put forward at the above-mentioned meeting were (a) a social evening twice a year ; (ft) the fostering, of inter-club visits ; (c) open meetings ; (d) the instituting and enforcing of the apology system for absence from meetings.

The fostering of inter-club visits is an idea that has great possibilities, and if neighbouring clubs would take it up much good would come of it. A social evening with a programme of musical, vocal, and instrumental items and dancing is already a regular feature with some clubs. It is essential that evenings such as these should be free. In conclusion, I would suggest that an endeavour be made ■to have a regular correspondence column in the Y.F.C. section of the Journal of Agriculture in which members could air their views and criticisms of Y.F.C. activities. I am, &c., D. T. ROWLAND, Kairanga Y.F.C. It is hoped that the above letter, written by a club member, will be the forerunner of many others and so result in the establishment of a regular correspondence column in these pages. There are many aspects of club work that warrant free discussion and many problems that could be brought to light in this manner. Members generally are invited to avail themselves fully of opportunity to express their views per medium of this column. Mr. Rowland is Chairman- of the Kairanga Y.F.C., situated in the Manawatu district.— Editor.

Among the Clubs: Reports on Activities.

IN order to make room for other matters of interest to Y.F.C. members it has been decided to publish the full list of clubs, with the names and addresses of secretaries, quarterly in future instead of monthly. Because of the seasonal activities throughout the Dominion, particularly in the South Island, very few meetings have been held recently, and in consequence only a small number of reports are to hand. Club secretaries are urged to forward reports through the usual channels as soon as possible after each meeting. Wairarapa. Carterton (Secretary : lan Thompson, Carrington, Carterton). — fleece competition ; arrangements for dance. Lecture by Mr. N. Lamont, Department of Agriculture, on “ Grass-seed Mixtures.”

Greytown (Secretary: V. H. Gates, Greytown).— Discussion on district fleece competition. Talkie films on the wheat industry and plant-life, &c., exhibited by Mr. N. Lamont, Department of Agriculture. Manawatu. Apiti (Secretary : F. V. Viles, Feilding).— on the judging competition at Feilding Show. Programme of the Apiti Y.F.C. Show read and approved ; donations for the show received from Mrs. D. Swift and Messrs. H. W. Watson and H. L. Osborne. Lecturettes by club members as follows : “ Control of Bracken Fern ” (H. Viles) ; “ Care of Farm Implements ” (D. Kearney) ; “ Dehorning with Caustic ” (L. Logan); “ Choosing Rams ” (A. Cowan) ; “ Horsebreaking ” (K. Cowan) ; “ Lambs from Hoggets ” (C. Elliott) ; “ Roping a Young Horse ” (M. McKay);

“ Feeding Dogs without Meal ” (H. Mclntyre) ; “ Slag on Bracken Fern ” (E. Osborne) ; “ Stock Judging ” (C. Spence) ; “ Bloat in the Dairy Cow ” (V. Wildbore). There were thirty-seven members present and the talks were followed with great interest. Bunnythorpe (Secretary: A. Stewart, Ashhurst Road, Bunnythorpe).—Lecture by Mr. Hart, of the Feilding Agricultural High School, on “ Stockbreeding.” Colyton (Secretary : R. J. Shortall, Spur Road, R.D., Feilding).Selection of competitors for the judging competition at the Feilding Show; ten ' members entered for the competition. Mr. G. S. Robinson, District Secretary, spoke on the judging competition, and urged members to give it their support. Mr. H. de O. Chamberlain, Department of Agriculture, also stressed the value of stock-judging competitions.

South Taranaki. Alton. (Secretary : W. K. Saggers,. Alton). — business ; discussion re the appointment of an assistant club secretary. Eltham (Secretary: A. Jenkins, Rawhitiroa, Eltham). — lecturette to be prepared for broadcasting from 2YA on 21st February, the subject to be “ Fertilizers.” Debate arranged with Pukengahu Club. ■ Impromptu speeches to be given. by members at the next meeting. A club debate. was held, the subject being “ Have the Young Farmers of To-day as Good ■ Opportunities . as their Grandfathers ? ” The teams, were led by L. Sultzberger (affirmative) and M. Tarrant (negative). The judge, Mr. C. Camcross, gave the decision to the team supporting the negative. At the previous meeting Mr. P.. O. Veale, Chairman of the South Taranaki District Committee, gave an interesting address on “ Public Speaking and Debating.” Hawera (Secretary : C. J. Washer, Inaha, Hawera). — Arrangements for a club debate. General discussion on matters of farming interest; some time was spent by members speaking for and against sheep-farming and dairy-farming respectively. At previous unreported meetings lectures were given by Mr. Leslie, M.R.C.V.S., on “ Fertility of Stock,” and P. McGregor, M.R.C.V.S., on “ Parasitic Infection of Stock.” Pukengahu (Secretary : R. Bremer; Wingrove Road, Stratford R.D.). —Cricket team picked to play Cardiff Y.F.C. Arrangements for debate with Eltham Club in February. Address by the Advisory President, Mr. F. Mehrens, on “ Modern Sawmilling.” North Taranaki. Karawaka (Secretary : L. . Oliver, Lepperton).— Decided to hold a field-day. Club debate, the subject being “Tractor v. Horses.” The speakers,’were as

follows : L. Oliver, B. Brooking, and R. Old (tractor) ; M. Loveridge, J. Julian, and P. Blyde (horses). The judge, Mr. G. A. Blake, District Secretary, gave the decision by a small margin to the tractor supporters. ' Okau-Tongaporutu (Secretary : Owen Collins, Tongaporutu, via Arrangements for a dance; discussion on future activities. Address by Mr. A. Hamblyn, dairy-factory manager, on “ Buttermaking.” The District Secretary, Mr. G. A. Blake, spoke on the proposed District Y.F.C. tour. Southern Hawke’s Bay. Onga Onga (Secretary : Clive W. Masters, Box 18, Onga Onga, H. 8.). — business; decided to combine with the Takapau Club in a field-day to be held in Hastings. The Dominion Organizing Secretary, Mr. S. Freeman, gave an address on Y.F.C. matters in general. A lecture was given by Mr. J. W. Palmer, Department of Agriculture, on “ Fertilizers.” Northern Hawke’s Bay. Meeanee (Secretary: Lester L. Griffiths, Meeanee, Napier).Forthcoming sports meeting discussed. Election of new members. Annual general meeting held in December, but officers retained for three months and balance-sheet carried over in order to fall in line with the general financial Y.F.C. year concluding at 31st March throughout the Dominion. Nuhaka (Secretary: N. J. Alexander, Nuhaka). — A paper entitled “ The Cost of Hill Country Topdressing,” compiled by Messrs. Peren, Hudson, and Morton, of Massey College, was read and discussed by members. At the previous meeting Mr. F. Hankin addressed members on “Subterranean" Clover” and • “ The Growing of Forest Trees?’ Putorino (Secretary: E. Smyth, Raupunga) . Members nominated to fill vacancies on the executive

committee as follows: G. Phillips, D. Hayes, and E. Hayes. Arrangements for social and dance left in hands of the committee. Address on “ Dairyfarming ” by Mr. Ross Lange. Poverty Bay. Te Karaka (Secretary : A. D. N. Manuel, Te Karaka, Gisborne). — on club* finance by the honorary treasurer, showing a very satisfactory credit balance. Decided that at the next meeting short talks by members would be given on subjects of agricultural interest. Lecture by Mr. G. Sefton on “ The Making of Ensilage.” Tolaga Bay (Secretary : M. Robison, Tolaga Bay)— Lectures by Mr. W. Sadler on “ The Proper Way to Dip Sheep,” and Mr. W. J. Lee, Government grader, on • “ Cream Grading.” Papers were read by club members as follows : “ The Natural Control of Weeds ” (M. O’Connell) and “The Farm Water-supply” (C. O’Connell). Decided to visit the Gisborne Club in February and provide three lectures for their meeting. Taumarunui. Taumarunui (Secretary: L. G. Smith, Patunga, Taumarunui).—Arrangements for a field-day. Lecture by Mr. J. M. Hopkins, Department of Agriculture, on “ The Development of Pumice Lands.” ,• Western Bay of Plenty. Katikati (Secretary: R. F. Walford, “ Foxbro,” Katikati).Address by Mr. A. M. W. Greig, Department of Agriculture, on “ The Home Orchard.” The speaker outlined the necessary details in the establishment of a home orchard, and stressed the care that should be taken to preserve the trees from blight, &c. He recommended varieties of trees, the worth of which had been proved by the Department. Omokoroa (Secretary: H. Emery, Omokoroa).— Arrangements for, card evening and picnic. Lantern lecture on “ Hillside Farming,” by Mr. A. V. Allo, Department of Agriculture. Waihi (Secretary: B. Thornton, Waitekauri, Waihi). —General business. Arrangements for visit to Te Aroha dairy factory. Kaitaia. Broadwood (Secretary: B. Rogers, Broadwood, Hokianga).—Field-day held at Broadwood Showgrounds in conjunction with the North Hokianga Boys’ and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs. A stock-judging competition was held, and Mr. G. Irvine demonstrated his method of judging dairy cows. Kaitaia (Secretary : H. Hooper, Box 26, Kaitaia). —• Address by Mr. J. Donnelly on’ 1 The Electric Fence ” ; this was of particular interest, as members attending a recent field-day had seen an electric fence in operation. Mr. Donnelly explained fully with diagrams the theoretical side of electric fences, and the ways in which fences could be erected. A lecture was given by Mr. R. -Hanaes on Farming in Sweden.” The speaker detailed the differences between Swedish and New Zealand farming. In Sweden the animals have to be stabled for six to seven months of the year, he said. Every inch of the land is made to produce as much as possible in the summer months, and crops such as mangels, carrots, swedes, and clover hay are grown and stored for the winter. The roots are harvested in the autumn and stored in wedge-shaped stacks, being covered with straw and earth as a protection from frost. On most farms cows are tethered in the summer and shifted three times a day. Instead of the cows being driven to the shed to be milked the milking-plant is brought out to the cows on a wagon. In the winter the cows are bedded down on straw or ,peat. This is gathered up with the stable manure, . and is used for growing the crops and top-dressing the pastures, little or no artificial manure being used. As there is no cropping work in the winter most of the time is spent in cutting blocks of ice from the lakes and in cutting timber and firewood. The ice is stored in large stacks with sawdust to insulate it against heat. In the warmer months this ice is used in the dairies. A number of questions were asked, and both speakers were accorded hearty votes of thanks. Umawera (Secretary: K. R. Webber, Umawera, Kaitaia).—Details arranged for the formation of : a pig club.. Club debate, the subject being “ That Ploughing is Superior to Discing as a means of Pasture Establishment in this District.” The speakers were as follows : K. R. Harrison and L. Chapman (affirmative) ; K. R. Webber and W. Postleweight, jun. (negative). The affirmative side won by a narrow , margin because of the clearness with which they stated their points. O 4- “S>