PERIA INVENTION

Hauraki Plains Gazette, Volume 52, Issue 3254, 19 April 1943, Page 3

PERIA INVENTION

RIDGER AND SEEDER TO COST NO MORE THAN £lO POPULARISING ROOT-GROWING Mr Jock Banks, son of Mr and Mrs Nelson Banks, of Peria, has invented a combined ridger and seed drill which may possibly revolutionise winter feeding of dairy stock to a certain extent in that for the first time it places this valuable implement within the means of every farmer, no matter how small his holding may be as it' is anticipated the seeder can be sold retail for less than £lO.

Mr Banks has the reputation of being one of the most thoughtful farmers in the district and one who is firmly convinced that dairy farmers will have to. go in for root growing if they are to combat successfully the herd troubles which at present cause so much loss.

Speaking to a press representative, Mr Banks explained in other words that necessity had been the mother of invention. 'He thought the idea out one evening as he had a piece of fallow land which he wanted to sow in roots. Next day he got it knocked together with timber and a pipe steder attached. The idea in practical form worked almost beyond expectations and from that foundation an improved implement has now been designed and made.

Mr Banks is at present arranging to market his invention and one of his conditions is that the price shall not exceed £lO. This is typical of the inventor who knows well the difficulties with which the average farmer with small capital has to contend. As the average price of the imported article made of metal is round about £BO this prohibits the number in use being as numerous as they should be for such important; cropping work. In consequence, Mr Banks is arranging matters so that the price of his invention shall be within the reach of every small farmer. ' “It is a ‘cockies’ impleifient,” Mr Banks explained. Made of durable timber, the new ridger and seeder will have a sufficiently long life if properly cared for to last an average lifetime'.