AGRICULTURAL EXPERT'S VISIT.

Kaipara and Waitemata Echo, 4 December 1919, Page 3

AGRICULTURAL EXPERT'S VISIT.

ACCOUNT OF WORK

The following detailed account of Mr T. H, Patterson's visit to Kaipara branches of the Farmers' Union has been furnished by Mr L. L. Bailey, organising secretary:

November Bth, Kaukapakapa— Subject: Liming of soils, growing of lucerne. Good meeting, about 30 present. Then to Kaukapakapa lime works, and Steven's farm. Mr Stevens offered a piece of land (about 3 acres), and supply labour, seed, and manure to grow lucerne, work to be done under the supervision of the Department of Agriculture.

November 10th, Helensville. — The farmers met at Mr Grey's farm. Subjects : Liming, .draining, and soil testing, Thence to Mr J. McLeod's farm to view the class of country. To Mr Green's farm for instruction on cultivation of salt flats. Lecture in the evening at Agricultural Hall on lime and liming.

November 11th. 9 a.m. —To Mr A. fJ. Garry's farm, instruction and cultivation. 1.30 p.m., Puhoi —Mr S.traka's farm to get an indication of the class of soil. 7.30 p.m. —Lecture at Puhoi Hall on lime and liming, growing of lucerne. About 60 present.

November 12th,—To Barker's farm : Lucerne growing, Mr Barker offered to grow a plot under the instruction of Agricultural Department. A lectuiette on wool-classing and manuring. 12 o'clock —Proceeded to Warkworth, met on Mr Wyllie's faim, About 30 present. Lecturettes on preparing of soils, growing of turnip crops, liming and manuring. To Warkworth lime works for samples of lime. 8 p.m.— Lecture in Town Hall, GO present. The need of lime and liming of lands, and demonstration in slaking of lime,

November 13th—Proceeded to Warkworth Lime Works to interview manager on the preparing and analysis of lime. Thence to, Mr Ashton's residence. Mr Ashton carried out a demonstration with a patent soil tester. Thence to Mr Mark Fletcher's farm at Streainlands, to inspect a plot of lucerne, and give advice on establishing other plots. Proceeded to Matakana. Addressed a meeting of farmers and scholars in the Matakana sohool. Instruction in growing lucerne and need for application of lime to the soil. Thence to Mr R. S. Jones' farm. Instruction in growing fodder crops. Mr Jones offered to put down a 4 or 5 acre plot (under the supervision of the Department), and supply all cost of growing a crop for ensilage, and when ready build the stack (under the supervision of Mr Pattersqn qr one qf his officers) for the instruction of his fellow farmers. 8 p.m.—Matakana Hall 25 present. Subjects ; Lime, manuring, growing of fodder crops, remarks on ensilage.

November 14th. —Proceeded to Mr Migounoff's model farm at Matakana. Instruction on growing of lucerne, and the way to improve Mr Migounoff's plot. Grassing and manuring of lands, growing of fodder craps and liming. Inspected an excellent plot of cocksfoot systematically planted. Thence to Leigh, Met on Mr E. J. Wyatt's farm, Instruction on lime and liming, fallowing of lands, and blight on potatoes and melons. To Mr J. C. Wyatt's farm. Instruction in drainage, fallowing of land ; inspected wheat' orops (best in North Island), manuring and growing oat crops.

November 15th, Wellsford.— Met at the Hall at 2 p.m., 30 present: Lecturettes on lime and liming of lands, cultivation and manuring of soils.

November 16th.—Walk over Mr Wilson's farm, re grasses and weeds. Proceeded to OsUorne and Partington/s swamp, Qava infqrm;at\Qn, in. fho draining of this area, about 140 acres. The expert advice was muoh appreciated by those concerned, as there has been a diversity of opinion as to the best way to drain this swamp.

November 17th, Tauhoa —Gave an interesting lecture on Mr Boler's farm on grassing of lauds, and growing crops for ensilage.