THE COUNTRY.

Press, Volume LIV, Issue 16155, 8 March 1918, Page 3

THE COUNTRY.

! NEWS AND NOTES. JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS. The annual general meeting of the New Zealand Sheep Breeders' Association (South Island) will be held in the Canterbury A. and J?. Association s rooms on \Vedncsday, i'Oth inst. OXFORD. A company of clever young entertainers, known as the Red Cros« Rovers of Christchurch, visited Oxford on the invitation of tne W.C.I.U. give a concert in aid of the Y.M.C.A. war work. The concert was held in the East Oxford Town Hall, -Mr Bunn presiding. The young performers gave a varied programme, which was greatly enjoyed. At the close of the evening a hearty vote ot thanks was accorded the performers and their pianist, and also Mrs Hull and Mr Caverhill. who were in charge of the party. AKAIiOA. Private Bob Sunckell, sou of Mr Win. Sunckell, ot' Tukamatua, alter spending a week on final leave at home, lollowing on the outbreak el measles in camp, returned North en Tuesday morning. He was accorded a very hearty send-oll' by his friends. Air Dallas Checkley, "younger son of Mr Geo. Checkley, Akaroa, after three weeks' experience at the Sockbura Aviation Sctiool, lias been granted his ; ticket. He is now spending a short j time at home before leaving for the I Old Couutry. Tho Akaroa branch of the Red Cross has just completed another very successful year's work. Instead ol wailing time with the formalities of an annual meeting, the president. Mrs Geo. Armstrong, places before her band of energetic workers at their regular weekly gathering on a Thursday afternoon, when the tea adjournment takes place, a brief report cf the year's doings, with a balance-sheet duly audited by Mr C. \V. Leete. The workers, some 30 in number, as a whole form the committee. Basin>:•< requiring attention is considered, nir'e hands and fingers are busy. In this way every worker feels *he lias .t

direct interest in the management ol' irer branch. The plan has worked jcally well, and Mrs Armstrong _ is quite satisfied with the result. The report for last year states thai the following garments have been made and sent oil to headquarters: 233 pyjama suits, 186 day shirts, 87 underflannels, 6 dressing-gowns, 520 plugs', 56 pairs socks, made by Mrs All'. Ithodes's knitting class of girls. The balance-sheet shows: Receipts 1:31-5 lis, inclusive, of £l! 6, cash in hand at beginning of the year. Tho expenditure totalled £261 Is Bd, leaving a balance to credit of £52 ( Js 4d. There is in hand, also material valued at £60. Tlie branch makes no direct appeals to tiie public lor support, and contributions are entirely voluntary. The president's faith in tho source of supply is implicit. The exchequer has always something more than "a shot in the locker!" In this connexion it may be mentioned that a credit balance of just under £3 at Christmas time nas now swelled tu over £60. The members each contribute a triiie monthlv towards the Returned "Wounded Soldiers' Comforts Fund. Last year £17 5s was raised in this way. MJSTHVEX. Mr Ingle Bonner, who for the past "two and a-half years has been, in rlie. Bank of , New Zealand, Mcthven, was transferred to Westport early this week. On the eve of his departure he was presented by tlie staff with a shaving outfit. ASHBURTON. At the last meting of tho Ashburton branch of the District W'.C.T.U., the following motion was passed, all present standing:—"'That this meeting of the Ashburton Women's Christian Temperance Union desires to place on record its profound sorrow at the untimely death of the late "Professor 11. D. Bedford-, aiso its deep and sincere appreciation of his untiring energy and loyal devotion to duty, as proved in' lie splendid work accomplished by him in the cause of humanity—during lis brief span of life. They would extend, too; their loving sympathy to Mrs Bedford and family in their sad and irreparable loss, and pray Ui.ic the Divine consolation afforded the bereaved by the Triune God may bo theirs, in this hour of sorrow and bereavement." Votes of sympathy were passed with Mrs A. Smith in the illness of her son on active service, and with all members who suffer a 'ike anxiety. The New Zealand superintendent of "Narcotics" wrote drawing i attention to the Harmful effects of cigaiette smoking among the youii<;, j and enclosing an appeal to the men!- , I bers of the \ouug Moil's Bible Classes, j It was decided that copies should bo pro- . cured and forwarded to each Y.M.b.C. j in the borough. On behalf of tl.v J W.C.r.U. Mrs Frost extended to "Sis- j ter Jessie" a cordial welcome to Ash- j burton. v There was a large attendance at tne } Ashburton railway station yesterday afternoon to welcome home several re- ] turned soldiers, who arrived by tiie i express from Christchurch. Tlie Tien ; were welcomed by the Mayor (Mr !{. J Galbraith) and members of the Pa- i 'trioiic Committee. Those who return- i ed were. AV. J. Bird (Hinds), P. MeCann (Chcrtsey), '1. M. Devano, C. i, M. AYatson, T. Stockdell, and j. , Thomas (Ashburton). and J. D. "\lur- n Jooh (Mayf-oid;. J , At the monthly meeting of tiie Anama Road Board, .Air \\. \o<worthy, M.P., presided. The done ! was instructed to inform the lessee of , a reserve that the fences had been put to lepair as agreed, and the Board recognised no further liability. The c ,' eleriv leoorted that tins water-race hear Mr Boaler s had been straightened, L pipes laid across the road, and rhe outfall through Mr Boak-r's property deepened. The contractor for sliing- ° ling Down's road wished to he reliev-1 T .! of iiis contract owing to tiie shortage I lj of labour Lt was decided to leavethe matter in the hands of the sur- •'/» veyor. ' I " l

At tlie monthly incetinn- of the Haii;p&toac! Town Board, Mi r W. H. JiObmsoi- presided. The Ashburton Clerk wrote stating that iho Council was prepared to" arcept ilu per auiwni for Sire prevention services, ccmditionaliy on the amour.: being raised to £2U per annum at the expiration of two years. After «liseussion it was deciiled to form a deputation to wait on the Council at its next meeting with repaid to tile matter. Ifc was decided to contribute £2-3 I jie Y.M.C.A. Trench Comforts rnnd. j. j Roberts drew attention to tlie fnct that the higliprensurj watei' supply, laid by him at considerable expense, was being utilised by tlie Board for revenue-produe-purposes, and he r-onsidered he was entitled to compensation. The clerK was instructed to reply that the Board oouJd not see its way to grant cnm- [ peusation. The question of lighting i y ? s ~ over until next meeting. M. - »V. Thompson gave notice to move that the resolution passed at the previous nioetmg, authorising the I'anger to prosecute persons grazing stock on the roads, be rescinded. Tho chairman and clerk wore instructed to have the 'iv-laws legarding motors put in order, when thev will be enforced. POTATO PRODUCTION. TO THE EDITOR OF "THK I'RESS." Sir, —Kindly grant me space to bring under the notice of growers of the

above product, a feu* facts which I trust may bo of interest to them, and mayhap, arouse- a discussion which might ultimately be of groat benefit to this important industry. briefly, a grower of Harewood road (who takes a keen interest in the above industry) last Saturday invited me to witness the digging, weighing, etc.. of twenty-two "Northern Star"' tubers, which he had specially prepared for planting, a s follows:— (1) Seed dug last April. (2) Iu May were cut and sliced with a penknife (bled). (3) Tubers were then placed in a dark, cool room. (-1) Late in October last, they were mixed indiscriminately with some "Breeze's Prolific,'' and planted with them, (o) They were ploughed in in the ordinary manner. (,G) "Breezes" were dug last week and yielded at the rate of 14J tons per acre, of which 22J per cent, were seed and pig potatoes. (T) The 22 "Northern Star" tubers were dug and weighed in my presence, their weights ranging from 4=} to 11 i 1 b —total 1-301 lb —roughly 71b per tuber, thus indicating a possible crop of 49 tons per acre. (8) Out of the above there were' loll) °f seed and pig potatoes—equal 10 per cent. (9) A one of tho treated tubers showed blight, whilst many of the "Breezes" weie badly affected. (10) The grower contends, and with considerable support, that his method of treating'tubers ensures quick decay, which in turn gives early and vigorous sustenance to the young plant, thereby wardiug off disease, and as a result thereof, largely increasing the yield. In conclusion, may I add, that from my own obtervations I feel sure sufficient effort and care is not given the preparation of soil, seed, or sowing of potatoes: that if a more scientific system wore universally adopt-ed, a better product and a better financial result would follow.—Yours, etc.. H. MARSHALL. Christcliurch, March 7th.