FARMERS’ FIELD DAY

Hokitika Guardian, 4 November 1931, Page 8

FARMERS’ FIELD DAY

INTERESTING EXPERIMENTS AT WINCHMORE.

S ASHBURTON, November 1

The “field day” held under the auspices of the Ashburton Chamber of Commerce on the Government experimental plot on Mi’ Hunter Morris's farm at Winchmore, yesterday afternoon, proved to be of an interesting and instructive nature to farmers. There was a good attendance . Mr A. A. M’Donald, president of the chamber, introduced Mr E. M. Bales, the local representative of the Department, who give an address in connection with the experiments that are being carried out on the various plots. The speaker made special reference to the marked difference in the plots sown down in ryegrass from the Ha wires Bay and Poverty Bay districts compared with those in which Canterbury seed had been sown. The former, which was much better rooted, had a superior crown, and the experiments showed that the growth was much more virile. After feeding off it came away again much more quickly than other inferior types of seed.*. Although there was a iva.st difference in the quality of the grass on the different plots it was explained that all had received the same treatment. By using a superior type of seed the pasture became establishes, and there was no necessity for constant cultivation, with the result that overhead expenses were reduced, and the farmer could depend on a better and more regular supply of feed. Farmers present at the demonstration were much impressed with the trials conducted by the Agricultural Department at Winchmore, and were convinced that the carrying capacity of the greater part of the country would be appreciably increased if trie results of the practical experiments already carried out were to be accepted as an indication. At the conclusion of the demonstration, which was considered one of the most successful held in Ashburton, Mr A. A. M’Donald, on behalf of tne Chamber of Commerce and those present, thanked Mr Bates for his instructive also Mr Hunter Morris, on whose property the experiments were being carried out.