BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

Dominion, Volume 8, Issue 2377, 5 February 1915, Page 8

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

WHEAT OUTLOOK MATTERS OF INTEREST TO FARMERS The Board of Agriculture held several meetings in Wellington during the past week, when a number of matters that bad been referred to it by the Minister of Agriculture and various public bodies' were very : carefully considered and dealt with. ■ • ' Amongst other questions that had beon Submitted to the board was that of the supply of wheac. Mr. Xriggs, Assistant Jfublic Service Commissioner, specially appointed to assist the Government about * this matter, and Mr. M. Fraser, Government Statistician, were in attendance, and supplied the board with the fullest particulars as to the wheat requirements, the stocks in hand, and th 6 Government importations during January and February, with an estimate of the current ban est, which showed that the stocks. in November last were 20 per. cent, less than the ■ Btocks in November; 1913, arid that there would probably, be a shortage again about the end of the cutrent year. The action of the Government had averted any immediate scarcity, but as far as could be determined from the information available it would still be necessary to import further supplies towards the end of the year, unless the yields are much greater than the information at present available warwanted the Government in expecting. The effect of fixing the prices had acted as an immediate deterrent on any further sowing,. and _ bo indirectly reduced the supply, and it was considered probable that'' if the market were left open it would result in a much larger area being sown the following year, and thus restore the equilibrium, and so reduce prices. The Board of Agriculture therefore recommended the Government to remove the restrictions on the . sale of wheat for this year's crop, and to publish the information now available, and that may become available from time to time both as to local stocks and the price at- which'the Government can import;.and also that the Government arrange to import anv wheat required to make good the local shortage, and to sell it at not less than «ost. Farmers would thus be assured of getting the import price. • ' ' Carriage of Produce, The shipping question was also very exhaustively discussed, and a conference (presided ovor by the Prime Minister) was held with the representatives of. the shipping companies doing business in New Zealand. A full report of thiß meeting has already been published. It : was suggested, however, that if on further inquiry there ivas likciy to be any shortage of vessels steps should be taken as early as possible to notify the country-settlers, so that they might make arrangements to hold over some of their stock for later bciats. It is hoped that the fine rains that fell on Friday, last in the northern and Kast Coast districts may help to relieve the situation. Phosphates. The board had some extremely voluminous evidence laid before it .on the question of phosphates by Mr. A. F. Ellis, Mr. \V. D. Hunt,. Mr. B. 0. Aston, F.1.C., F.G.S., agricultural chemist, and Mr. E. Parry, Chief. Goverifinent Electrical Engineer, calculated to greatly assist it in the. inquiry, .it. is making as to the practicability, of finding a moderate-priced substitute for basic slag, which at present is unprocurable. In Southland a high, grade ground phosphate rock is being used with lime in considerable quantities, which is giving very good results. This is stated to be one'of the very cheapest forms of phosphate in the market, and iii order to ascertain whether this form is suitable for other districts, the board is recommending the Minister of Agriculture (who is favourable) to initiate a series of experiments that have been drawn up by. Mr. Aston, to .test these manures 1 on. the lines of the. Cockle Park experiments, and to' make arrangements to have them carried out on the experimental and other farms in different districts; \

Rural Education. A lengthy report on rural education was received irom Mr. G. Hogben, C.AI.G., Director of . Education, and the board had' a lengthy interview with Dr. Anderson, Assistant Inspector-Gen-eral iof Schools, with regard to a very progressive and libera!, offer that had been made by the AsLburton High. School' Board, of a portion of its reserve for the purpose of injtiating a 6ori*s of agricultural experiments and demonstration plots near the school, at the close of which it was decided to recommend the Minister to take advantage of this offer. Miscellaneous. A report on. agricultural banks was submitted by Mr. Jfl. Hall, and it was decided to write to.America,"lndia, and Manitoba for further imorination on the subject before taking hnal action. Mr. li. Phillips Turner, F.K.G.S., held, a lengthy conference with the board in regard to the planting of sand dunes. Dr. lleakes, D.V.Sc., M.R.C.V.S., Director of the Live Stock Division of tho Department of Agriculture, gave tho board a full account of the serious spread of worm nests in cattle in Australia. A full discussion of this subject ensued, when the opinion was expressed that the risk of this trouble spreading to Now Zealand was such a serious one, and 60 difficult to prevent, that it might be necessary to prohibit the introduction of live stock from the Commonwealth. The sub-commitee appointed to deal with the regulations under .the Hemounts Encouragement Act' of last session presented a' report which was forwarded to the Minister. Letters and reports were also received and dealt with, in reference to Canterbury Agricultural College, Lincoln; africultural methods in U.S.A.; the pumice lands of the central plateau of the North Island; noxious weed's; junfor iudging competitionsafforestation; and the supply of horses for artillery purposes and army remounts. Eiglit liere in Wanganui is a great market waiting for you, for your cream, milk, butter, and eggs. Take advantage of our organisation and salesmanship, and entrust us with your business. We can guarantee you best market rallies all. tho year round. Rail your cream, butter, or eggs to us. We will look after it. Drop us a line when you rail it. Wanganui Fresh Food and Ice Co.—Advt.

SOLWAY SHOW The exhibition of steep, horses, and cattlo io bo made at the Solway Show on February 16 and 17 is expected'to eclipse anything of the kind ever seen ill the Wairarapa before. Late entries will close on Saturday, February 6, with the secretary (Mr. J. B. Einmett, box 40, Master ton). The public arc being specially catered for by the association. Trains and motor vehicles will run on both days of the show at suitable intervals. In thq numerous competitions the general public will find plenty to interest them. The grounds are particularly suitable for picnic parties, and the association will provide hot water free. The association's' annual Ram . Fair will be held on February 18 and 19. On the first day the annual fair of the New Zealand Romney Marsh Sheepbreeders' Association will bo held.