BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

Dominion, Volume 11, Issue 205, 18 May 1918, Page 10

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE

TURNIP, SWEDE, AND RAPE SEED

SUPPLIES

-A WARNING TO FARMERS

The Board of Agriculture held a lengthy meeting on May 35, at which there was a large attendance of mem•bers, the'president (Sir James Wilson) being in the chair. Mr. Pope, Secretary of Agriculture, was also present at tho jiieeting, and many matters of agricultural interest were discussed.

Turnip, Swede, and Rape Seed Supplies. The board went very exhaustively into tho question of'tho supply of turnip and swede seeds, as inquiries from merchants liad shown that tho stocks were seriously below the probable requirements for tho coming season. Full details of tho quantities on hand and expected to arrive from Great Britain, and the usual annual requirements, wero laid before tho meeting, and tho best steps to bo taken to secure a sufficient supply for the coming season wero discussed,. It was pointed out that «s there was such a shortage of supply of seeds in Great Britain the necessity for reserving sufficient to meet homo lequirem'ents compelled restriction of exports even to British possessions, and with regard to some seeds export licenses "were being entirely refused. It was decided to issuo a warning to farmers that thore would probably be a shortage) of turnip and swede seeds for 1918 sowing, and to make the suggestion that they should reserve a portion of their crops for seed purposes, also to advise that it would bo well to husband ■ our. resources as much as possible. Tho position with regard to 191!) supplies was still doubtful, but it seemed extremely probable that Great Britain would bo short, and attempts wore being made to persuade, merchants and farmers to ■ grow at least 1000 acres of turnips for eeed, to be harvested about next Decem- • ber or January. It was thought that certain varieties such as Purplo 'lop Mammoth, lied Paragon, and other early maturing varieties might not be obtainable for 1919 requirements, and that it might bo necessary to do without tlieso varieties for a season. So far as rape was concerned, there appeared to lie a better supply in store to fulfil the 1918 requirements, but theio was every indication that the 1919 supply would have to bo largely made up from locally-produced seed.

Wairarapa Farm School, A proposal from the Wairarapa rliatrict to establish a farm where returnsd soldiers might receive 6orae training in .farming matters, which liad been referred to the board for a report, was very carefully considered. The farm in question, which had already been secured, had cost, nearly and was suitable for stud, sheep, and agricultural farming. .The Wairarapa people themselves were giving the' farm, which contains 736 acres .if land, as well as the stock, and they wished the Government to assist in providing the cost of buildings, equipment, and maintenance. Wlen the time camc that the farm ivas not required for training soldiers, the institution could be utilised as a farm school for the sous of settlers for all It was suggested that the institution should be wider the control and management of u board of governors, to bo selected by llio Government, the donors of the land., the local A. and P. Associations, and tne Education Board of the Wellington district. After fully discussing the matter the board considered that the generous and patriotic offer of the Wairarapa people should be accepted, o.nd tbat their effort, which was in keeping with the other good work they hail done for the benefit of returned soldiers, should receive all the help that could be given to the movement. They further recommended that the various matters connected with'the arrangements for the working of such a farm should be-referred to _n conference of a committee of the Council of Education, of the National Efficiency Board, of the Board of Agriculture, and of representatives of the subscribers to the fund, so as to formulate a scheme for the management of this farm and of other similar farms in various places throughout the Dominion, of which they hoped the Wairarapa farm would be the forerunner.

Uniform Flock and Stud Books. Tho boai;d received a report from the committee which- had been set up at the previous meeting to draft a nniform set of rules for the flock books of New Zealand. Final consideration, however, of these rules was deferred to the next meeting," pending further inquiry. Ear-marking and Branding of Stock. A. report was received from the special committee appointed to consider the method of ear-marking aud branding sheep which had been devised by the Live Stock Division of the Department of Agriculture. The committee reported that they had visited Somes Island in company with some officers of tho Departpient, and had made an inspection of the elieep which had been ear-marked some eighteen months previously, on which the marks were very plain and distinct, and although at present incomplete tliey were of opinion that the system was one well worthy of further inquiry and subsequent trial. The scheme was one that was capoble of making a great many distinct ear marks which were of great convenience so far as the breeder of the sheep was concerned. The principal difficulty, however, appeared to be when tlie sheep changed ownership from timo to t'me. This scarcely seemed to be fully p-ovided for in the scheme, and it would render the adoption of the plan rather difficult •unless it could be overcome. The Wheat Question. The attention of the board was drawn to the fact that the arraugemout made 'between the Minister oi Agriculure a,iid farmers with regard to tho price of wheat had not yet been gazetted, and it was resolved to write to the Minister stating that the board considered that the prospect of growing sufficient wheat i'or next 6eason was being very seriously endangered by the uncertainty that prevailed, through the Government not gazetting the price which was to be paid for next Benson's crop. It was also decided to recommend that the Government should follow tho procedure established by the British Government of guaranteeing a fair price foi a term Of years to ensure n sufficient quantity of whent being grown to meet the requirements of the Dominion.

Instruction in Live Stock Judging; A suggestion which had been .made to • the Iward of tlio desirability of having the judging of live stock at shows taught on the various Government Experimental Farms was discussed with the Secretary of the Department of Agriculture, who stated that the, Department wouid be glad to co-operate in any way in its power to promote the kind of training for students which had been suggested. The board, after considering the matter, was o! opinion that it would bo extremely desirable for tlio • breed societies themselves to assist in the matter by selecting .some of their most capable breeders to give the required demonstrations in stock breeding to the students at the farms, the Department placing .).t tlio disposal of the instructors for [lie demonstrations the herds at the different institutions. Live Stock Registration, It was reported to the board that the council of the Komney Marsh Sheep Breeders' Association had written, iu reply to the board's representations, that the Komiiey Marsh Flock Book bo reopened to all eligible Romney flocks in New Zealand, to say that at the annual )iiect : ng of the association in Juno tlio jnatler of the reopening of the book to nil the Bonnier flocks registered in the South Island book would be brought forward for consideration. The board hopo that the. proposal will be viewed in a liberal spirit with the view to flock book Tedstrution b&ing made uniform. Amongst other matters dealt with were: i—The settlement of returned soldiers on

tho land; shipments of wool packs and corn sacks; requisition of "slips wool, sheep skins, etc.; annual report of tho board's work; worn ens' work in agriculture; the control of tho world's food supply; and shipping shortage.