BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Manawatu Herald, Volume XL, Issue 1860, 3 August 1918, Page 3

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

During the pest week the Board of Agriculture held several meetings under the presidency of Sir James (J. Wilson, and discussed with the Hon. Minister and the DirectorGeneral of Agriculture, Dr. Henkes, a number of mil (tors adeeting the agricultural and pastoral industry, and the re-organisation of the Department of Agriculture. A letter was received from the Romney .Marsh Sheephreeders' Association staling' thiil it had been decided that the Romney Marsh (looks appearing in the New Zealand Sheephreeders' Association (South Island) Flock Book should he admitted to the North Island Romney Marsh Flock Book without further inspection. It was agreed to write expressing satisfaction with the action taken by the Romney Marsh Sheephreeders’ Association, which the Board considers will add to the efficiency of the registration'of stud slock. It was also decided to communicate with the North and South Island Sheephreeders’ Associations, suggesting that the South Island Association should take over and include in its hook all the (locks of the following breeds, which now appear in the North Island Flock Book, namely, English Leicester, Border Leicester, Shropshire, and Ryeland; that the Southdown flocks should he retained in the North Island Flock Book, and the flocks of this breed appearing in the South Island Flock Book should be transferred to the North Island book. It was also agreed to suggest that the Lincoln flocks at present registered in the South Island Flock Book should be transferred to the New Zealand Lincoln Flock Book. The adoption of these suggestions would give effect to the resolution unanimously agreed to at the meeting of representatives of all the Breed Societies in the Dominion held with the Board last year; and subsequently endorsed by the Council of Agriculture at its recent conference. The Board passed the following resolution in connection with the purchase of the wool clip by the Imperial Government: —“From full information that has been placed at the disposal of the Board of Agriculture regarding the wool position, the Board wishes to express its satis! action with the terms offered by the Imperial Government, and to stale that it considers that the acceptance of this offer by our Government is in the best interests of (he Dominion.” An enquiry was was received as to the advisahlility of permitiing the introduction into New Zealand of Vicunas, Alpacas, and Llamas. As it was pointed out that Llamas and Alpacas had been imported many years ago, and lin'd proved of no commercial value, and as the result of the enquiries which had been made was unfavourable, (he Hoard could not recommend that their introduction he permitted. An enquiry was also received for the Board’s views as to the introduction of a few Australian birds, including the Australian blue wren and lioneyeaters. With regard to this application, it was also decided that, in view of past experience (which showed that fresh environment often changed (he habits .of ini reduced birds, thereby causing them to become pests) their introduction into N'ew Zealand could not he recommended. The Board discussed with Dr, Reakcs the best, means to adopt for dealing with tile question of restricting the spread of ticks from the northern part of the Dominion to other parts, both by land and by sea, and fully concurred with the proposals he suggested. The question of the farm which the Wairarapa people, had so generously handed over to the Government for the training of returned soldiers, and for experimental purposes, was discussed at some length, and it was finally agreed that Dr. Hoakes should arrange to meet the committee dealing with the scheme at Masterton, and go into the matter fullv with them.

It was pointed out by Mr W. Perry that a school had been established in England for the purpose of training maimed soldiers for various occupations, among which might lie mentioned wool-classing - , and that it was a very good opportunity for New Zealanders in England to acquire training of this kind. It was also decided to write to the Hon. Minister, recommending that arrangements be made to enable some of our soldiers who are at present in Europe Mo obtain such training in agricultural science and practice as will fit them for taking up positions in the Department of Agriculture on their return to the Dominion. In connection with the question of tree planting by farmers, the Board resolved to advise all land-holders to immediately plant more quickgrowing timber trees. In three years these trees would provide shelter for stock, in ten years good firewood, and in less than twenty years useful fencing material, and where brumbies or. other weeds occupied rough and inferior areas, trees planted close together would he found to be the best growth to smother them. The Board decided to remind the public that a leaflet giving full particulars as to the best trees to plant, and a list of trees and seeds for sale, from the Whakarewarewa and Tapanui nurseries, could be procured on application either to the Lands Department in Wellington or to the nurseries named. Amongst other matters dealt with were uniform rules for ilock hooks; wool pack and corn sack shipments from Calcutta; the settlement of returned soldiers op the land; a pry-

posed scheme . for the earmarking and branding of stock; Hie temporary discontinuance of High Commissioner’s weekly market produce (‘able; (he shortage of ships to convey New Zealand produce to outside. markets; the necessity that existed for farmers (o increase (he area of root and forage crops for winter feed, as it is possible that the freezing works may not be able to provide space for the usual number of sheep and lambs, which in the ordinary course would conic forward during the season.