WAIMAUNGA EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

Hokitika Guardian, 14 August 1926, Page 1

WAIMAUNGA EXPERIMENTAL FARM.

FIELD DAY, MONDAY, AUGUST IG. (By C. S. Dalglicsh, Fields Instrnctot). In connection, with the Field Day to be held at this farm on the 10th, a departure is being made from the procedure as carried out on former occasions. The Farm School lecturers were not aW'c to visit the Coast this winter, many districts in New Zealand, being visited by the Farms School tl«it had not received a visit before; this therefore led to the lecturers hating a much longer period of travelling than is usual and their usual routine work had to he attended to when a return was made to headquarters, this work having accumulated. These lecturers cannot he present; it was at first decided to forgo the Field day at Waimaunga hut factors call lotsuch to he held, although not altogether oil the same lines as previously. Stock matters wVI not be dealt with but briefly. Tf purebred stock arrive as is rumoured a day will then lie set aside for stock demonstration. It is necessary for the progress of this Coast that more attention, thought and study be given to stock food production—good pastures and winter feed.

It is an old established and well known fact that although we have a system of cultivation, crop rotation and manurial treatment of our land, that system cannot he applied in a rigid fashion. Different localities requii'es modifications of this system, fortunately the system is elastic and calls bouse as experience teaches one how.it should be applied in the different districts, but the general principle is the same. AVe have a district here in which the system or standard of farming as set up by the study and practical experience of our forefathers — scientist and practical farmers—is not gibing the result as wo expected. I have had farming experience ill Otago and North Otago, and have luid many opportunities to elocelv observe farming methods in Southland, .Canterbury, and the North Island as well, and from observations and experience in this district 1 a confident that the standaid system ’of cultivation, crop rotation and manurial treatment" of lland has had a fair honest trial, but no are. not making tiie progress we desire and to secure this desired progress we must locate the fault. Numerous reasons aro advanced as to the cause; climatic conditions carrying the bulk of the blame; while agreeing Ihat the rainfall is a. drawback', I cannot agree that it is detriments# to the binning industry as is generally considered. Take our swede turnip crops for instance, satisfactory crops have not been grown except on bush burns. AYenthor conditions and had drainage have been iiululy blamed for unsuccessful crops. My experience and observations wou’d never allow me to agree that the plentiful supply of rain is the cause of the trouble; bad drainage is essentially bad for plant life but dear proof is on hand to sliow that such is not the cause of the unsatisfactory results often obtained. 1 think ail will agree that wo have had sufficient rain this past season to do harm ill quality if the over plentiful supply of rain is the cause. There are a few results on this farm which t think are of pnrticulai interest to bring under notice of farmers and those interested in the farming industry, and will 1 think convince most that climatic conditions are not such a drawback as is generally considered. Ihe suedecrop in particular proves this’ to a. great extent and in addition throws some, interesting light on the use of potash manures. The cultivation and manurial treatment of part of this crop is oil a par with similar crops in Otago and North Island districts, the result is well worth noting a-vt guide what not to do. The whole crop is worthy of inspection and discussion by farmers and I will bo pleased to see all interested in the development of the Coast pay a visit and those who cannot come along on tha.t particular date, aro welcome to pay a visit on either of the two following days, when final investigations into the manurial treatment will he in progress; hut come with vour minds made up to study sl ock food pi eduction. Commence 1 p.m. sharp.