ROOT CROPS

Hokitika Guardian, 21 July 1925, Page 1

ROOT CROPS

■ ■ - y~<£> © ■ ■ NEED FOib SPECIAL ATTENTION

At the meeting of the Westland Progress League lasi niglu, Mr ( . S. Dalgleish. Fields Inspector, in the course of an -interesting report- on the success of the recent Farm School ■acut- on to say : “Von will note that tto lectures have been delivered in South "Westland. As far as was in my power L met the farming community of South Westland and discussed the position with them, and it was agreed that Mr I (nice Levy and myself visit the distent at tlio conclusion of the Farm School term. Mr Gorringe. I nsi i m-tor in Pig Keeping. wa> also io make, the tour i,f convenient. Although ilie Director gave his authority for such, both those gentlemen advised me that they could not undertake the lour at the present liniment. 1 shall not lose sight ol the requirements ol South Westland and shall arrange a visit as soon as call bo

“Some of you are aware I lint Knot (blip- Turnips and Swedes —are not of the ipi.nlity that, should he. and this is a very much greater iactor in the retarda nee of agricultural progress than is generally known. I regard the growing of sound turnips and swedes ns die chief factor, and of great 'importance. in developing and retaining the. fa I stock trade of the Coast. During the Farm School term. T discussed the position with Mr Ward, Instructor of Agriculture for Canterbury, and Mr llruce Lew. Agrostologist. and made inspections ol crops where possible with •he limited time at our dispsal. r J ho inspection of one crop has given me good hopes of a solution of the trouble. | have had fairly extensive experiments with manures on swedes at M nimaunga. Stale Farm this season, and leave on Monday to make a fuller investigation into this matter along with Mr Maters. Plant Pathologist, of the Biological Laboratory, Wellington. Mr Ward is also returning to assist and ensure as complete an investigation as can he done.’’ It- was resolved to tluink Mr Datgleish for his interesting report, and compliment him on the all-round sucof the Farm (school, the holding of which was due to his initiative and enthusiasm. The meeting discussed the reieiences to the importance of roof crops ns a. means of expanding the I'af. slock trade of the district. If was resolved to urge the Minister of Agriculture to arrange for the visit to South Westland of officers best (qualified to impart instruction on the subject. iJ crop growing, and {o M.rrfinge for ;i dornon^iration in regard thereto if found practicable.