Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs Orchard Diseases Y.F.C. Field Day at Bluff Reports On Club Activities

New Zealand Journal of Agriculture, Volume 67, Issue 5, 15 November 1943, Page 374

Federation of Young Farmers' Clubs

Orchard Diseases

Y.F.C. Field Day at Bluff

Reports On Club Activities

National Y.F.C. Essay Competition

TIE national essay. competition, I “Citizenship and the Part that can be Played by the Young Farmer,” was disappointing from the point of view of entries, there being only four received in the senior class and three in the junior. The general quality of the essays made up for this to a certain extent. The judging was kindly undertaken by Mr. G. V. Wild, Senior Inspector of Technical Schools, Education Department, who is keenly interested in the Young Farmers’ Clubs, and has assisted the movement in many ways. “I would say of the entrants that they appeared to enjoy their essay writing, nd that all competitors achieved something,” said Mr. Wild. “The winning essay in the senior class gave not only the most complete survey of the subject, but also dealt with it in the most orderly fashion, and in the most attractive style. There was very little to pick and choose amongst the others. One would have liked to see many more competitors in both sections.” The judge’s awards are: Senior class: E. L. Maitland, Warepa club, 1; T. G. Maxwell, Scargill-Omihi club, 2; lan D. Colquhoun, Feilding club, 3. . Junior class —Jim Cowie, Cambridge club, 1; Kevin J. Corkery, Orepuki club, 2; C. R. Frew, Enfield club, 3. ' The winning essays in the two classes are published below:

Senior Class

E. L. MAITLAND, WAREPA CLUB. Citizenship means the art or practice of being, or living as, a citizen. Most people who decide to undertake a hobby or pastime, or sideline occupation, try to excel at what they decide to do, and, as a guide to their efforts, have in their minds an ideal, or state of perfection to which they strive to attain. Therefore, I propose to describe the qualifications of what I would consider an ideal citizen, with special reference to the young farmer in regard to each characteristic. My ideal citizen would make a success of life, not amass a fortune in wealth, but earn a comfortable living for himself and family, not work unreasonably long hours, keep good health,, and be able to retire when he reached the age of 60 years, still fit to enjoy his retirement. To this end, the industrial worker should take an interest and pride in his work, perhaps study to gain promotion. The young farmer should plan well ahead with a definite object to be

attained, keep abreast of modern farming methods and developments by reading the N.Z. Journal of Agriculture and other farming publications, and generally attempt to improve the production capacity of his land. With the declining birthrate in New Zealand, every man who has the country’s interests at heart should marry and raise at least two children to become, in due course, healthy, responsible citizens. They should receive a good education in the principles of Christianity, the rules of good health, and in some of the finer arts such as singing, music, dancing, literature, etc. Each youth, boy or girl, should be taught a trade or occupation. I heartily agree with the steps the Government is contemplating in connection with vocational guidance. A young farmer should help to dispel the impression that a young lady who gives up the amenities she is used to in town, to marry a farmer, is a martyr. He should make conditions around the home as pleasant as possible, lay concrete paths, a lawn and garden, ensure a good water supply, keep the house painted, make the kitchen well-lighted, bright with light wallpaper or paint, instal a wireless set, perhaps a washingmachine. When his wife is busy with a

young family, domestic help should be engaged. For recreation a citizen should indulge in some active sport, such as tennis, football, hockey, bowls, hiking, swimming; also some hobby or study quite apart from his occupation. He, and his wife and family, should have at least two weeks’ holiday annually. Many young farmers lead' an active, outdoor life, making sports, for the benefit of their health, unnecessary, but sports are beneficial to them for the enjoyment and sociability involved. Every young farmer should have an annual holiday where he can relax, leaving behind the cares and labour of his farm. This applies particularly to dairyfarmers, milking dairy-herds twice a day for 9 or 10 months continuously. An ideal citizen would be publicspirited, take an active part in his trade union, local amenities society, school committee, etc., not expecting material reward, but to be of service to his community. In sparsely-populated country districts, it behoves every young farmer to participate in local affairs, such as rifle-club, hall committee, Young Farmers’ club, Farmers’ Union, etc., making these bodies representative of the whole

district, and strong enough to achieve some progress. The young farmer will have to decide on a policy of action and carry it out on his farm; he may go against popular opinion and meet with opposition when introducing a new farming method to his district. He will probably find that the success of his farming operations depends on how he organises and arranges the labour and material resources at his disposal. The development of these qualities of deciding on a policy and carrying it out, initiative, and organisation coupled with his knowledge of the conduct of public affairs, gained through his association with local bodies, could result in his being , made Parliamentary representative for his district. The farming community should produce as many Members of Parliament as any other section of the people. “Citizen” literally means a person living in a city, but in the wider sense of the word a citizen of New Zealand is a person living in this country. A person living in a city has neighbours with whom he must live in peace and harmony. He must consider them, not follow his ■ own desires or pleasures in total disregard of the effect this has on his neighbours. The ideal citizen would keep in touch with current affairs here and abroad, study economic and political problems, be broadminded, and able to see other people’s points of view. The present war is a very graphic example of what can happen when, instead of being neighbourly, people learn to hate each other. The people of all nations must learn that, besides being neighbourly in their own homes, they should. be neighbourly with people in other lands. ' Though homes in the country . are not as close together as city homes, modern means of transport and communication have brought the farmers much closer to each other. The young farmer should be neighbourly, in fact will find it to his advantage to co-operate with his neighbours for harvesting, threshing, shearing, etc. At present, while implements are dear, one expensive implement can be made to perform its particular operation on 3 or 4 farms, e.g., a waggon with a wide topdresser attached could sow all the topdressing required on perhaps six farms. The young farmers should be on good terms with citizens of New Zealand in all other walks of life, and vice versa. When the ideal citizen retires he should be able to look back with pride and pleasure to some social advancement or improvement he has effected, dr taken an active part in bringing about. The industrial worker may have been instrumental in securing a good award for his fellow-workers. The business man, through the city councils, may have been largely responsible for the laying-out of children’s playgrounds, botanical gardens, or for the erection of a swimming-bath in his city.

The farmer could take a pride in past undertakings which, though perhaps not a financial success to ' himself, would benefit generations to come, e.g., planting of plantations to kill out gorse, shelter stock, and provide, timber and firewood; erection of fences and buildings . with good lasting material; doubling or trebling of the carrying capacity of his farm. He may have improved conditions for all farmers in his district by sponsoring and getting put into effect a drainage, or irrigation scheme, installation of electric - power, perhaps introduced measures to combat erosion. If the young farmer of today wishes to be in a similar position when he retires, now is the time for plans and ideas to this end to be taking shape in his mind. - The greatest comfort of all to the retiring ideal citizen, no matter what his calling, would be the knowledge that he had given to his country several fine sons and daughters who were already leading useful lives, doing their share to improve the lot of their fellow-beings, playing their part as worthy citizens of New Zealand, and who, on retiring, would be able to feel that they had put into action the thought expressed in the following lines: . Lives of great men all remind us, We can make our lives sublime, And, departing, leave behind us, Footprints on the sands of time. Junior Class JIM COWIE, CAMBRIDGE CLUB. Citizenship embraces many ideals, practical or theoretical, and amongst them may be found individual character, respect for law and order, a love for clean sports, tendencies for the education of the people, and above all a sense of duty in regard to assisting the community in social duties as well as a “good neighbour” policy to one another. These are what we, the young farmers of this Dominion, can concentrate on. I do not mean that the young farmers are actually neglecting any of these, but perhaps at times too little attention is paid to them. The first ideal I have mentioned is individual character, for without a good character no one can command respect, and the other necessities of citizenship are partially dependent on this. Character is usually the result of a good upbringing where toleration, strength of purpose, kindness and respect for other people’s property is taught, and where selfishness, unkindness and deceitfulness are not tolerated. A man with great individual character stands high above men, but seeing that everyone cannot attain such heights it is nevertheless his duty as a citizen to strive to this end, even though he may fall far from the mark. A country has little time for morally weak citizens, for they are a menace to themselves and the populace generally by setting a bad example to the younger members of our community. The present position in regard to moral

laxity has a great deal to do with character. Of late years much has been heard of people “slathering” certain professions, such as politics and farming.. These professions and others have been presented to the rising youths, and even older people who should be able to think for themselves, as being a “mug’s game.” This is the wrong way to go about bringing up our future citizens, and I hope all Young Farmers will correct with reason anyone they hear saying this. By this “slather” the young people think that these professions are not worth striving for, and this creates disrespect towards them, and if these young people are bom to that particular profession they quite often go through life as disillusioned, disgruntled labourers, or else they take poorer city positions and the country loses much-needed men, who. would most likely have distinguished themselves as farmers, politicians or business men. These are the type of citizens who cause strife and trouble amongst the community. '' Respect for law and order is really a part of character, but the only difference is that it is more the result of having a good character than being character itself. As I have said previously, if the rising youth are not taught, or if they have not enough common sense to respect a thing,, they soon take liberties with it which they would never have taken if they had been told that to be a good citizen is the greatest ambition that one can strive for. I am thankful to say that disrespect for law and order does not affect the young farmer at all, because the best way to learn right and wrong is done within our own clubs. No member would knowingly wrong another, and seeing that this is extended to anyone with whom we come into contact, I consider we are doing our duty well in this direction. Sports play a large part in our life of today, and it appears that they will continue to play a large part after the war. In the cities gymnastics, boxing and various other sports which can be performed at night can play a large part in keeping the youths occupied and off the streets, but in the. country the young farmer can participate in little other sport than that which is provided on Saturdays, unless he is fortunate enough to be in a populous and enthusiastic sporting district. I consider that sports occupy the minds of the country youths more than the town youths, but owing toYoung Farmers leading an active life in the open I consider sports does more physical good for a town' youth. However, the only thing in sport is not the physical result but also the effect it has. on the participant. Such games as football, hockey and soccer promote a good, team-spirit amongst the team and also a friendly competitive spirit between the teams. The latter is of great use in practical farming where half the joy of herd-testing, < pig-raising and general farm management is in being able to compare your results with the results of another enthusiastic farmer. Other sports

such as boxing, swimming,, running or any other field events bring to light any individual talent in this direction.. The participant has to rely on himself in these, and they can help him to assess his individual worth, more so than in team games. I advise all young farmers who are not already keen supporters of different types of athletics, to try and interest themselves in them, for whether successful or not it teaches them to win or lose like men, and this is another way in which to be good citizens. Education is the basis of citizenship, because if we know what is right or wrong, or valuable or useless, we can discard ideas that may have a bad effect on our life as citizens, and by doing this we can aid others by our example. To be educated is one of the greatest assets of any Young Farmer, for he can express his views when any subject is under discussion, arid he can feel that he is • not merely, a silent club member or farmer that has to take the lead from someone else, but one who can think for himself. Not all Young Farmers, or anyone for that matter, are clever at every subject, but those who have a talent for a certain subject have a duty to perform to their country by specialising in it, and passing on their results for the use of the community in general. I consider that we are doing a great deal of good by listening to lectures at our clubs and over the radio, but I would like to hear more prepared and impromptu

speeches from the club members, because here is where ' the individual members can obtain training in putting their thoughts into words, and it will give them confidence as . speakers. When these members are called upon in future years to deliver addresses at various clubs and organisations they will appreciate the training they received in their own club. Good speakers and attentive listeners are an asset to any club, and as citizens they are sorely needed to fill civic positions. A sense of duty in regard to assisting the community - in social duties has its basis in education, for if one is called upon to speak at. social functions, he must know his subject and the formalities must be observed. Too often we hear people declining positions as members of committees and as master of ceremonies at socials. This is not a patriotic way of doing things, for usually the tasks fall upon the same person each time instead of them being fairly distributed among the citizens. ; Young farmers can do their duty , by taking these minor positions and thus suiting themselves for major positions when called upon to take them. A “good neighbour”' policy affects everyone in his Dominion, but, nevertheless, I think that if the Young Farmers attend to the other principles of citizenship that I have mentioned, this ideal will just work naturally. One thing can be said about this, and that is there is a great difference between wishing a neighbour success and the actual fact of set-

ting to and helping him. With the shortage of labour at the present time a little help when needed is greatly appreciated by anyone. ( One ideal that I have omitted in the introduction, arid that is love of one’s own country. This is the greatest of all, for here race, religion, breed and type are all gathered together with the one bond. The part young farmers and former young farmers are playing can be seen by the roll of serving members recently seen in the Journal of Agriculture. There is no greater sacrifice than to offer one’s, life in the defence of one’s own country, and by doing this we can show ourselves as true New Zealanders, worthy of the title of “good citizens.”

THE results of investigations carried out by the Plant Diseases.' Division are embodied- in the Department's free bulletin No. 161. ' This bulletin deals •with the various sprays in common use, their dilution and combination, and sets out spray ..schedules for apples, pears,, .stone-fruits and citrus fruits. The treatment and disinfection of tree wounds is also explained. - A copy of this informative free bulletin may be obtained from the Department, of Agriculture at Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. . .

A BUSY day for the Young Farmers of the Western Southland districts was Friday, August 27, when a meeting of the Otago-South-land council, the annual field day arranged by the Western Southland district committee, and the inter-club debates were held. The council meeting commenced at 9.30 a.m. and attracted an attendance of twenty-two Young Farmers and officials. Otago was represented by Messrs. S. H. Saxby (Acting Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture), S. R. Whyte (Otago-South-land council secretary) and J. W. Wilson (council member), all of Dunedin. Representatives from South Otago included Messrs. J. Richards (Fields Instructor, Balclutha) and J. Maitland (Warepa). The Dominion President, Mr. T. E. Streeter (of Motukarara, Canterbury), was also present. Discussions concerning postwar activities and education took place. Morning tea was served during the meeting, which closed at 11.20 a.m. Trip to Bluff At 11.30 a.m. the field day started, with a party of fifty members travel-

ling by train to Bluff. After lunch at Bluff, the party reassembled at 1.30 p.m. and paid a visit to the ' meatpreserving works, where the processes of cooking and preserving mutton and rabbits were seen. Next on the programme was a “mystery visit,” which, because of its nature, must remain a mystery to the general public. This was undoubtedly, a very popular visit, and all members of the party, at the end of the day, voted it the best of all. The party also inspected the Stewart Island Oyster Canneries, where the oysters from Fouveaux Straits are opened by machinery and then canned. , The members were given an opportunity to sample the delicacy. The last visit of the day was to the Southland Cool Stores, where an inspection of the stores and a demonstration of grading both butter and cheese by the Government grader, Mr. Tennet, had been arranged. He pointed out that the quality of New Zealand cheese is considered so high in England that it is all being stored, and other cheeses are being consumed at present.

Debating Contests The return journey to Invercargill brought the field day to a close, and all members returned to the city expressing appreciation of a good day. In the evening, at 7 o’clock, most of the party reassembled at Elmwood Garden, where the debating was held. Four teams faced the judges, and two subjects were debated. For the first debate, between the ' Orepuki B and Woodlands teams, the subject was “That men should do the housekeeping on Sundays.” The Orepuki A and Wyndham teams debated the subject “That the pioneers worked harder than the farmers of to-day.” The judge, Mr. John Tait, expressed appreciation of the good standard of debating, and gave each of the speakers some' constructive and welcome criticism. The placings were:— (1) Orepuki A.. .. 230 points (2) Wyndham .. .. 226 points (3) Woodlands .. .. 222 points (4) Orepuki 8. . .. 217 points After the debates, Mr. T. E. Streeter, Dominion president, briefly addressed the meeting, and was cordially received. Supper was served, and the function concluded.

Fields Instructor,

Department of Agriculture, Invercargill.

WESTERN. SOUTHLAND. Orepuki.—G. Brown elected chairman for the meeting. One new member enrolled. Awards for-dog trials held at Pahia: C. M. Erskine, 1; D. McPherson, 2; A. V. Lee, 3. Two practice debates were held, the subjects being: (a) “That a farm is the ideal place to rear a family”; and (b) “That men should do the house-keeping on Sundays.” , Speakers: C. , Erskine, M. Young, D. McPherson, S. G. Dillon and R. Corkery. Each speaker spoke twice. Sixteen members attended the meeting. SOUTH OTAGO. Warepa,—Meetings to commence at 8.30 instead of 8 p.m. on account of spring farming'operations. Secretary instructed to procure Y.F.C. badges. Report of Otago-Southland council meeting, the Western Southland annual -debating contest, and the visit of inspection through the industries and Port of Bluff, : was given by a club member who was a delegate from South Otago. The library secretary, J. Shanks, reported considerable funds in hand, and was instructed to send away a year’s subscription to the “New Digest.” Mr. Hayhurst, veterinary surgeon, gave a most opportune lecture entitled “Lambing Troubles in Ewes”; and answered a number of questions. - Fourteen .members were present out of a total of eighteen. DUNEDIN. West Delegation from the club to meet the Patriotic committee regarding the 1 running of dances for patriotic purposes. Each • member present gave a short talk on some item of general interest. Attendance of twelve members out of seventeen. NORTH OTAGO. Enfield.— Talk by the Rev. Fordyce on “Experimental Physiology.” The speaker outlined several examples of natural science. Thirteen members present out of twenty-one.. MID-CANTERBURY. Hinds. Report on district meeting. A. McKenzie and D. Chisnail appointed delegates to the stock-judging committee. Mr. D. M. ’ Bruce to be asked to judge the impromptuspeech contest. Mr. G. K. McPherson, Department of Agriculture, gave a talk on “Grass Grub, Certified Ryegrass and White Clover Seed, / and Serpentine Super.” Eight members present out of. fourteen. At previously unreported meetings: Debating team selected, consisting of W. 'Taylor (leader), D. Chisnall and R. Cocks; club debate, “That the Welfare, of New Zealand depends more on the town than country” speakers (affirmative) E. Rhodes, R. Watson, A. McKenzie; (negative) W. Taylor, R. Cocks, D. Chisnall; Impromptu , Speeches (judged by popular vote), D. Chisnall, 1; G. Clarke and I. Donaldson, tied for 2nd. . Methven Report on concert, sponsored by the club. This was held in the Methven town hall, and was given by the Christchurch Cen-tennial--Harmonica Band and concert party. The total receipts were £75/8/6, and expenses £3O/8/6. The balance of £45 was handed, over to the Methven Patriotic committee. ■ Discussion on Club Pasture' Judging Competition. Secretary instructed to communicate with Mr. . Bevan, of Lincoln College, in regard to plans for the 7 running of the competition. Interesting address on “Education” by Mr. Stanley Smith, followed by many questions ably answered. Nineteen members in attendance. CHRISTCHURCH. Ellesmere.A welcome .extended to a mem- . ber returned from overseas. Mr. McKay, De- • partment of Agriculture, to be asked to address. the. next meeting on. the subject of “Roots and small seeds.” Mr. M. Watson, who has been repatriated from Italy, gave a very interesting talk on “Life in a Prisoner of War Camp.” He was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. Seventeen members attended the meeting out of a membership roll of 47. NORTH CANTERBURY. Scargill-Omihi.— Report by three delegates on an address they chad jointly ■/ given ■at ; th« ; Trades Hall, Christchurch, on “Nasella Tussock ,

and land deterioration.” A visit to the Waikari ‘Flour Mills was arranged, and a very, pleasant and instructive two hours were spent there. -An • address was given •by Messrs. McCaskey, Hunt and Black on the . steps being taken by the Nasella Tussock committee, and what the county councils intended to do. There were twenty-one members present out. of a total of thirty-one. MANAWATU. ' Bunny thorpe. Discussion on exhibits at Women’s Institute Show. Suggested by S. Anderson that the secretary write asking that the classes be made more ; comprehensive, ■so as to include mangolds, swedes/ turnips, sugarbeet, beetroot, ' carrots, parsnips, . potatoes, marrows and tomatoes. B. Naylor read an extract from the Y.F.C. constitution. Decided that at the next meeting each member should give a short talk; W. Gee to be acting-chair-man for the meeting. J. Wood appointed club representative on the Feilding A. & P. Show committee. Address by Mr. W. A. Jacques, of Massey College, on “Tillage.” Twelve members attended. WAIRARAPA. Carterton.— Question evening. Decided to ask Mr. Jointz, veterinarian, to address the next meeting. Fourteen members present. . Masterton— One new member . enrolled. Arrangements finalised for a dance. Dominion president’s annual report read and discussed. Address entitled “Citizenship,” by Archdeacon E. J. Rich. Attendance of twelve. TE KUITI. Otorohanga.— Discussion on birthday social and dance; decided to hold same early in November, arrangements to be finalised at next meeting. A lecture on “Farm Law” to lie given at next meeting by a local solicitor. WAIKATO. ■- Cambridge — Five new members enrolled. The chairman being absent through illness, R. F. Giles was - appointed to the chair. The secre-

■ tary was instructed to write a letter of sympathy to the chairman, G. Goodwin.-Privates J. Hyde and P. Shaw, who' had been invalided home from overseas, were welcomed and made honorary members of the club in view of their service. " They gave very interesting sidelights on their • experiences Overseas, both in and out of battle. During supper they replied to the chairman’s welcome, and expressed then- thanks for the honour accorded them.,.:'The. evening concluded .with : the singing of “For t They are Jolly Good Fellows.” There .was an attendance of thirty out -of a total membership of fortyone. At the previous meeting plans were made for a campaign for secondary school members ; it was also decided to pay the Journal subscriptions for members overseas, and.to send: each of them a cake G. .C. Herbert ■. was elected club delegate to the Cambridge Veterinary Association. Lecture by ' Mr. - Doyle, veterinarian,' on “Ailments- in pigs.” The speaker answered many questions. ... . BAY OF PLENTY. Pukehina.— Decided to assist the boys’and girls’ agricultural club at the Pukehina- 'School, and to start a calf-rearing competition. Talk by Mr. K. Alison on “Grasses.” . The speaker also exhibited a collection. Eight members present. . ' ' : / Tauranga. Three new members enrolled. Balance-sheet. for past six months presented. Decided to hold a: sheep-shearing field day. -'A very 'interesting' talk was given by Mr. Reg. Mander on his . three years of overseas service. Ten members present out of twenty-two. . Te Puna.— Two new members enrolled. 'Les. . Lockhead announced as winner of the club’s hay competition. . Club to make a donation of £l/1/- to the district’ committee. : Club to have a stall of produce at the patriotic gymkhana to help with district quota. J. Collins to be acting-chairman. Arrangements for club dance. Two remits to be forwarded to the district committee. Address by . Mr. Red. Strugnell, of Omokorpa. There were ten members present out of a total of twenty-four. An interesting' visit was made to the Tauranga Co-op. Dairy Association’s factory, the manager-explaining the working of the plant.