Alton Club's Field Day

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 63, Issue 2, 15 August 1941, Page 159

Alton Club's Field Day

By

J. E. DAVIES,

District Y.F.C. Secretary, Hawera.

T TNDER the leadership of its chairUNDER the leadership of its chair-V-Z man, Mr. Keith Williamson, the Alton Y.F.C. held a successful field day in the Waimate West district recently. Despite inclement weather conditions some twenty members made the journey, and were met at Mr . H. E. ' Lloyd and Sons’ apiary and poultry farm at Manaia by the district secretary.. Messrs. Lloyd and Sons spared no effort in allowing the visitors to make a full survey of the modern facilities which exist on their farm in relation to extensive poultry farming and beekeeping. The information and demonstrations given to the party regarding the management of flocks consisting of hundreds of birds were a revelation. Electric incubator rooms, rearing, feeding, and housing of the birds, the pre-

paration for marketing of eggs, chicks, and the birds, showed an organisation of considerable . magnitude. Similar details relating to beekeeping and the preparation of honey for marketing attracted equal admiration. Furthermore, the environs of the farm presented ' many . unusual features. Maori carvings, together with varying trees and shrubs, proved particularly interesting. A From here a visit was made to the Waimate West Demonstration Farm, where the party was received by the manager, Mr. A. G. Paterson. Weather conditions .prevented a detailed , inspection of the farm, but a general impression of the farm’s layout and the farming operations was gained. Lunch was provided by the farm committee, after which the writer, as

chairman of the committee, outlined the farm’s history, stating that many important problems to the farming community had been, solved there. Since the outbreak of war, all the farm’s resources had been centred, on increased production, and notable achievements had been made. The present season’s production showed'record figures—approximately 25,0001 b. of butterfat were produced from 85 acres from a herd of. 74 cows. In addition, over one baconer pig per cow had also been produced. In every way the day was a profitable one, and special thanks to Messrs. Lloyd and Sons and to the Waimate West farm committee was expressed by the visitors concerned.