FIELD DAY.

Press, Volume LXIII, Issue 19138, 22 October 1927, Page 3

FIELD DAY.

- CUST-WEST EYRETON FARMERS. Under the auspices of the Oust-West Eyretoh Branch of the Farmers' Union, a large number of farmers, and others assembled at the home of the president, Mr S. Smith (Cust), for their annual field day. Before beginning their inspection of the stud stock, Mr J. E. Burns, vicepresident of the branch, welcomed the farmers, and also introduced Mr T. H. Davy, head wooiclasser for Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd., who had been invited to give an address on the handling of wool. Mr Davy gave some very useful information ,on the classing, packing, and' selling; of wool, and 'also demon-, strated in a. practical way how to class, and roll wool. At the close of his address a number of questions were asked, and a vote of thanks was passed to Mr Davy. After lunch, Mr H. Heney, foreman fellmonger, Gear Company, Wellington, told how to dry a sheepskin, and he pointed out how many skins were rejected on account of being badly taken off the sheep. Many skins were also ruined in the drying by exposing them to the heat of the sun. In speaking of cow hides, Mr Heney said many hides lost their value by being wrongly branded. A hide should only be branded on the cheek of the animal.

After Mr Heney had finished his remarks, a move was made to the stud stock, where a demonstration.was given by prominent breeders, with special reference to Clydesdale, horses, Come-; dale and Southdown sheep, and Shorthorn cattle. /The first demonstration was given by Mr, W. H. Jenkins, of Waddington, with the Southdown sheep, and horses. Mr Jenkins said some people .thought the draught horse was done with, but it was his opinion that the draught would come back.

. The Shorthorn cattle . ,were > ' then brought out, Mr Smith's champipn cow and neifer being paraded. Mr R. Peach (Ashley) gave some very useful information about the breed, which had oorae into favour during the past ten years. Votes M)f thanks were accorded to Mr Jenkins and Mr' Peach.

At the conclusion of the demonstrations, a tour of inspection was made of various farms in the district where wheat manurial experiments were being carried out by Mr H. TV. Hudson, of the Agricultural Department. The first farm visited was that of Mr E. Woodfield, where a'very fine crop of wheat was inspected. From there the company went to the River Eyre, where an inspection was made of the protective works being carried out. The party finished up on the farm of Mr Colin Mcintosh, West Eyreton, where the experiments in the manuring of wheat are also being carried out under Government supervision. Here the company were entertained to afternoon tea by Mrs Mcintosh.