BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XXXIX, Issue 1741, 16 October 1917, Page 1

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

The Board of Agriculture held several lengthy meetings last week at which important matters concerning the agricultural and pastoral industry were discussed. There was a large attendance of members, 'and the President (Sir James G. Wilson) was in the chair. The question of the shipping and storage space for meat and dairy produce and other matters were fully gone info with the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, who was present at the meeting. Expo:-;. of Moat: —It was pointed out that although I lie latest shei-p renuus show a large increase in t he North Island, (hero has been a heavy mortality amongst I otrgets, and the lambing in many district:is much below the average, which would probably do away with a considerable percentage of the surplus, yet the Board thought it would be in the interests of the country that farmers should bo advised that owing to the shortage of shipping it | would probably not be practicable | to freeze and find space for all the stock coming to hand, and to urge them to provide winter feed wher- ' ever possible to rear any lambs that might be left over. It was also decided to recommend that farmers should retain the best of their long wooled ewe lambs for breeding purposes, and that arrangements should be made to tin a number of second-class fat old ewes, and in order that this might lie done, to request the Government to make enquiries as to (he possibility of securing a good supply of British or American tin plates tor the purpose. The Board also recommended (hat, to ensure the freezing space being occupied to the fullest ex-

tent with the primest meat, it was desirable that the inspectors passing the meat purchased by the Imperial Government should bo more strict as to the quality, so that only finished animals should be killed and scut Home.

Price of Sheep Skins. —A member of (ho Board called alfenlion fo (he fact that butchers and farmers wore complaining that (he prices they were receiving for sheep skins was under that arranged for with the Imperial Government, and it was decided to request (he Minister to make inquiries as to whether some steps could not be taken to remedy the complaint. Stud and Flock Books. —The Board met a number, of representatives from the Clydesdale Horse Society, the Draught Horse Stud Book (Canterbury), the North Island Sheep Breeders’ Association, and the Romney Marsh Sheep Breeders’ Association, and consulted with them as to the possibility of arranging for an amalgamation of the various Breed Societies in the Dominion so that there will not be more than one association for any one breed; and of forming a National Live Stock Association for New Zealand. After a lengthy discussion, it was decided to refer the question of adopting uniform rules, and one or two other points to the councils of the respective associations for their approval. On receipt of replies, should the matter warrant it, a further meeting of delegates from (he societies interested would be held in Wellington to endeavour to come to a final decision. It was also agreed that the conference of all breed associations to consider (he matter of the formation of a National Live Stock Association should be deferred, pending the adjustment of the question of rules, etc. Exportation of Inferior Stud Sheep.—The Board also discussed the advisablencss of the Government taking powers to prohibit the exportation of inferior stud sheep, and arrangements were made to obtain a report from the Department of Agriculture as to the best method of coping with this trouble. Collection of Sheep Statistics. A number of suggestions were received from Mr E. Hardcastle, Agricultural Editor of the Christchurch Press, in regard to the date of collecting sheep statistics, pointing out that if the statistics could be obtained earlier in the season farmers would have a better idea as to whether it was desirable to retain more ewe lambs and owes suitable for breeding instead of killing and freezing them, and prices would then automatically rule the position. It was decided to communicate with the Government Statistician and to ascertain how far it would be practicable to give effect to this suggestion under the present stress of work entailed on that Department in consequence of the war. Wool-packs.—lt was reported that the wool packs required by the sheep owners would probably arrive in the Dominion in time for the present season’s shearing. Electricity on Crops, —A report was received from Mr E. Parry, Chief Electrical Engineer, Public

Works Department, with regard to the application of electricity to the stimulation of crops and the results obtained by Professor Blackman, Professor of Plant Physiology and Pathology, South Kensington, for which a special grant had been made by the Development Commissioners in England. It was stated in 1916, an increase of about 50 per cent in grain and -85 per cent, in straw on a crop of oats was obtained as a result from over-bead electrical discharge. Mr Parry, however, doubted whether the gain to be obtained would be so great in New Zealand as in England, where they had much les-- sunshine than there is in this country; but lie expressed Ihe opiniofi that I hero two- no doubt 'a, field for its nppJh'.r.tpui !»> the ( * y stimulation of special '-rops .'i;cb':i - garden crops and. .fruit, ami hoped to be able to make arrangements for testing the application I'm method to the purpose named. Amongst other matters dealt with were the High Commissioner's weekly market cable; car-marking and branding of stock; “draft” on wool; the importation of grass seeds; organisation of female labour for farm work; prices for next season’s butter and cheese; rural housing; the Scott Kilburn process for direct fixation of atmospheric nitrogen; and development of the poultry industry. The Wheat Question. —A committee of the Board later met the Chairman of the Board of Trade, and again discussed the wheat question. It was arranged that after the Board of Trade had made an exhaustive enquiry into the question in the South Island, a joint meeting of the two Boards should be held for the purpose of giving the matter full consideration.