NELSON NEWS

Press, Volume LXXI, Issue 21419, 11 March 1935, Page 16

NELSON NEWS

EXPERIMENTAL FARM PLOTS WHITE BUTTERFLY BECOMING ESTABLISHED tSPICIAL TO TBB PRIS3.) NELSON, March 9. During the last week three new ex* perimental plots for furthering the study of strains of grasses and clovers have been laid down at the Wakefield farm, under the supervision of Dr. D. L. Freeman, of the Nelson branch of the Department of Agriculture. A total of 64 plots have now been established—32 plots in grass-seeds ana clovers. 28 plots for manurial experiments and four plats to study the effects o£ inoculation of clover seed by bacteria. These culture experiments are being carried out under the auspices of lh o Wakefield branch of the Farmers' Union. Local farmers are undertaking the sowing of the plots which ars used for instructional purposes. Dr. Freeman said that the white butterfly was establishing itself in the Nelson district. "The presence of this recent addition to the insect life will call for a modification of local farming method' by those who cultivate crops of tha cabbage family," he said. The market farmer could reduce the ravages of the butterfly by the timely applications of suitable sprays, but those farming on a large scale should, wherever possible, increase the area under lucerne and clover and cultivate other suitable fodders such as oat® and millet for seasonal feeding. Attention to those matters would minimise considerably the losses which are wrought in all districts where the butterfly has become established, Mr Freeman said. The area in lucerne in the Waimea County had been extended appreciably in the last four years—from 348 acres to 576 —mainly as a result of the field competitions arranged by the Nelson Agricultural and Pastoral Association. Mortgage Corporation Bill The protest by the Christchurch City Council against the proposed clause in the Mortgage Corporation Bill exempting the corporation from liability for rates, was supported by the Waimea County Council, on the motion of Crs. G. Manson and L. Higgins. Cr. Higgins stated that the position was serious enough now without increasing the amount for which no one would take the liability. Swimming Sports The girl's college swimming sports were most successful. The times showed that the standard had improved considerably. L. Levien, a junior, equalled the women's record for the baths, of 19 l-ssec for one length. The results, were:— Senior Championship—Jocelyn Fieldes (20pts) 1, Valda Saunders (15 pts) 2. Junior Championship—Lois Leviea (19pts) 1, Jean Baigent (15Jpts) 2. House Points—Waimea (84) 1, Maungatapu (80J) 2, Maitai (66£) 3. Personal Mr W. Robertson, Under-Secretary for Lands, is visiting the Nelson district for a few days.