DEMONSTRATION FARM

Hawera Star, Volume XLVIII, 19 September 1924, Page 4

DEMONSTRATION FARM

STRATFORD SOCIETY MEETING.

The regular monthly meeting of the executive committee was held on Wednesday, 10th inst., at 11 a.m., there being present: Messrs J. W. Deem (chairman), J. B. Richards, K. Tarrant, and W. H. Were. Apologies were received from Messrs P. Morresey and E. Marfell, and leave of absence for the meeting was granted. Before proceeding with the business of the meeting the chairman consented to receive a deputation from the district Technical High School, consisting of Messrs H. Trimble, Dr. Gordon, and A. H. R. Amess. The representatives again, asked the Demonstration Farm Committee to set aside a specified area of land (30 acres) for the purpose of establishing a farm school. The deputation also asked whether the committee could not "see their way clear to endorse certain proposals re appointment of an instructor, to be resident on the farm or in Stratford. The matter \yas discussed at length, with a, view to arriving at some concrete proposal. The society’s decision in connection with setting aside an area of land was conveyed to the Board of Governors of the Technical High School in December last; the resolutions passed at the meetmg held in December last were reaffirmed. Before retiring, Mr. Trimble thanked the members of the committee for their courtesy in receiving the 'deputation.

The secretary was instructed to cbmmunicate with the Department of. Agriculture inquiring whether, any definite statement could now be made in connection with the annual subsidy. . Mr. Richards reported re the purchase of a waggon 'and his action was approved.

The manager reported that six Tamworth sows were sold at a satisfactory price. . v

The manager’s report for the period from July 9 to August 13 was read and received, and is as under: The quantity of milk supplied ior July was 87381 b, the test for the first period being 4.6 and for the last period 4.3. There are thirty-nine cows in milk and eighteen more to come inj I would like some of these cows sold. The top-dressing was carried out in accordance with instructions during the period last week in June to last week in July. The two Nauru plots were again top-dressed with ljewt' of Nauru phosphate. Portion of fields 4 and 12 were top-dressed with kainit. I would like the committee to arrange where the crops are to be sown for the coming season, i I would suggest sowing soft turnips; in the paddock running from the implement shed past the piggeries, as this paddock needs cleaning up. The.stumping of the bush paddock is progressing slowly; on account of inclement whither we were unable to carry on tlss:Vdrk. Seven pigs were sold during the month. I would like the committee to purchase another 100 posts to complete fencing the pig paddock. Six Tamworth sows have been sold for £2 2s each, also one cow (Dolly) lias been sold. The hay will he finished during the first week in September. I have secured- a rimu pole 36 feet long and a manuka arm from Eicksteadt Bros. for the hay-lift, at a cost of £7, and it will be delivered when it. dries. I will ask the committee to pay this amount to Eicksteadt Bros.

It was resolved that field 11 be sowii down in soft turnips.: The matter of acquiring a supply of fencing posts was left in the hands of Mr.' Tarrant, withpower to act. '

The manager’s report for the period from August 13 to September 10 Was read as follows and received: Forty-five cows are being milked. The quantity of milk for the month was 28,5121 b, the tests for the first, second and third periods being 4.5, 4.4, and '4.3 respectively. Four empty cows were sold •during the month. There are still nine cows to come in, which will make a total of fifty-four cows in the herd. Twelve store pigs and six weaner pigs were, sold during the month. Fifteen heifer calves are being reared. The hay will be finished about the' end of this week. Carrots will last a fortnight. Approximately one acre of mangolds are left. Mr. Park finished up on September 3. A milk waggon has been purchased at a cost of £35. The swede ground is, being ploughed. Mr. Richards was empowered to engage an assistant to fill the position recently vacated. ‘ Accounts amounting to £ll3 12s Id were passed for payment.