YOUNG FARMERS

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 10, Issue 45, 4 November 1946, Page 9 (Supplement)

YOUNG FARMERS

THORNTON BRANCH ACTIVITIES

FIELD DAYS AND MEETINGS

During the past month the Thornton Young Farmers' Club has been very active with field days and meetings.

Towards the end of September, one advisory member and four club members attended a field day for Y.F.C.'s of the Auckland district at the Ruakura animal and plant research farm.

" Lectures and demonstrations were received on the following subjects: The History of the Farm, Calf Rearing and Feeding, Identical Twin Yearling and two-year-old Heifers, Experimental- Milking Machines and Artificial Insemination.

At the monthly meeting held on October 7, general business was dealt with after which T. Mexted gave a talk on the calf rearing and feeding experiment being carried' out at Ruakura Research Farm. Mr Jackson gave,a short talk on'Artificial Insemination work carried out at Ruakura.

After the meeting a party "was held to celebrate the First Anniversary of the formation of the club. Lecturers and people who had helped the club were invited. Mrs Ar-' buckle and Mrs Adams donated a beautiful feed cake for the occasion. The following toasts were honoured: The King; Y.F.C. MovementMr Jackson and the Club Chairman, M. Law; Department of Agriculture —Club Secretary, J. Law and Mr Hubbard; The Ladies—t: Mexted and Mr W. Arbuckle; Absent Friends —R. Cleland.

The single candle was lit, blown out and the cake cut by T. Mexted the first Club Chairman. On October 23 a very interesting field day was held at the Matata Demonstration Farm owned by Gough, Gough and Hamer.

Mr Ross, .manager, conducted the members over the farm. Mr Martin a shearer, employed on the farm, gave a lecture on shearing machines, shearing and the grinding of combs and cutters.

■ Mr Hatcher gave a demonstration of ploughing of swamp land. The plough used was a Clough plough which turned a furrow 36 inches wide toy 15 inches deep. Mr Tarley then disced and harrowed the ground which had been ploughed. Mr Tatley also showed how the discs cut up rushes and cutty grass in swamp land. Mr Tatley also gave a demonstration ■of digging a drain with a drag.line dredge.

Mr Morgan, a mechanic from Gough, Gough and Hamer, Rotorua, gave a lecture on maintenance, working and driving of "Caterpillar" Diesel tractors.

The staff of the farm then provided the members with a very nice lunch- , ' !

During the afternoon, Mr Morgan demonstrated how the 23 tractor fitted with an angle-dozer blade and winch, could move large willow trees without an axe -or saw being used. The estimated horse-power of this tractor was approximately 100 to 120, and members were astounded at its capabilities.

At the close, Mr Law Club Chairman, thanked Mr Ross and the staff for the very interesting and instructive day..

Several of the local farmers made a very generous offer to the club, in donating the wool from their sheep if the members would shear them. This offer was accepted and four members spent one of- their free days in shearing.

. The next meeting of the club will be held on November 7. Mr Hume, Orchardist Instructor Department of Agriculture, will give a lecture. Mr Hume was unable to give his lecture last month owing to the fact that he was called away to Auckland on departmental business. F. Broadmore a club member will also give a talk on the experimental milking machine and identical twin yearling and two-year-old heifers at the Ruakura Research Farm.