In addition, at some meetings there have been film shows, debates, and impromptu talks on various farm activities. Field-days have taken members out to well-kept farms in the district; they have studied ensilage on Mr Turi Te Kani's farm; the outstanding Jersey stud farm of Mr K. A. Bennett; and a system of pasture cropping by the use of electric fences on Mr W. Newman's farm. Social activities have not been numerous, but then the young men point out that it was not for social activity they joined the Y.F.C. The proof of the pudding is, of course, in the eating, so we may ask what effect all this has had on the members of the Rangataua Y.F.C. Let me say immediately that the effect is clearly apparent to all who pass through the district in their travels, and who have eyes to see. It is much more apparent when one is conducted over members' farms. Granting that all these young Maori farmers have still much to do in the way of improvement, the effective use of the knowledge gained from their Club is obvious to all. The quality of the pasture grass, its freedom from noxious weeds, the quality of the livestock, and the well-planned cowsheds and piggeries are all a reflection of initiative and hard work. Of one of the farms a visitor, who previously had been judge for the Ahuwhenua Trophy, said it was up to the standard of farms visited by him in the course of that judging. Furthermore, the mark of individuality is on each farm, so that the personal preferences of each are seen on his property. With one exception, all are small farms ranging from 48 acres to 100 acres, and all require intensive work to bring success. Members are careful in their choice of stock; all use pedigree sires. One member went as far afield as Taranaki for his dairy sire, and has raised his butterfat production from 207 lb over 230 days in the 1951–52 season to an outstanding 306 over 273 days in 1952–53. He, like most of the others, has his herd tested regularly, culls heavily and rears his own heifer replacements. Within the last three years all these young farmers have changed over from hay as a winter fodder to ensilage, under the guidance of Mr A. V. Allo, of the Agriculture Department. Last season the Doidge Cup, for ensilage competition among Y.F. Clubs in Western Bay of Plenty, was won by a Rangataua member, Mr Turi Te Kani. At present several members are concentrating on methods to improve both the quantity and quality of pig-meat, with a change-over from baconers to pork. Member of Rangataua Young Farmers' Club working in his ensilage pit. Dairying, however, is not the only activity. All, rather than put their eggs in one basket, have sidelines, and produce small areas of pumpkins, potatoes and kumara. Mr D. Werohia has as a sideline a poultry run of 300 birds, and regularly sends supplies to the egg-marketing depot. The only sheep man among them all is Mr A. Kahotea, who manages the Ngapeke block under the Maori Affairs Department. It is a run of 800 acres, carrying 1300 ewes and 300 cattle. (Continued on page 55) Cowshed of W. Ohia.