STACK ENSILAGE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIV, Issue 1025, 30 March 1912, Page 3

STACK ENSILAGE.

DEMONSTRATION AT MOUTOA.

On Thursday afternoon on Messrs Saunders Bros., farm near the Shannon bridge, Mr Dibble, Government Agricultural Instructor, gave a demonstration of making stack enstlgage. There were about 70 interested spectators present, including visitors from Levin, Tokomaru and Shannon. The maize was cut by a binder, which is something entirely new to this part of the country, having only been recently imported from the United States. The machine worked without a hitch, cutting, binding and throwing clear the bundles, and was most favourably commented on by those present. From the field the bundles of maize were conveyed to the stack by means of a sledge. There it was hoisted in a very simple manner on to the slack, in rope slings, by the aid of a lad and a horse. There was no heavy work and it was hoisted up as fast as two men could place it in position. Mr Dibble, whilst supervising the operations, was also busy explaining details to the interested farmers. He also exhibited a model of a stack top which is used instead of the usual thatching in the case of a hay stack. A number who reached Moutoa in the morning were entertained at lunch by Mrs Saunders, when speeches were made by Messrs K. Frouse (.Levin), Griffiths (Tokomaru) and Saunders (Moutoa). The health ol Mr Dibble was drunk as also was that of Mr Burges, who was in charge of the maize binder. The host and hostess were accorded a very hearty vote ol thanks tor their hospitality in entertaining the visitors.

During the afternoon Mr Galland took several snap shots, including that of a bundle of flax—the first ever cut and tied by machinery.

Mi Dibble left by the New Plymouth mail for Canterbury, where he is due to give a similar demonstration.