THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 24405, 17 September 1940, Page 2

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

NEWS FROM CLUBS

The monthly meeting of the Five Forks Club was held on September 4, when 12 members were present. The speakers for the evening were Messrs H. R. Denize of the livestock division of the Department of Agriculture, and Mr N. McDonald, of the Otago-South-land Pig Council, The subject of their addresses was “Animal Husbandry.’’ wua special reference to “Swine Husbandry.” The speakers illustrated their remarks with a number of lantern slides and dealt with various questions regarding the drive for increased production of pig meat. Aspects such as breeding, feeding and housing were fully explained.

On September 6 the Palmerston Club held its monthly meeting in the County Council Chambers, when Mr S. the local inspector of stock of the Department of Agriculture, addressed those present on “ Diseases that Can be Prevented in Farm Animals.”

The annual field day of the Upper Clutha Young Farmers’ Club for the J. Hunt Challenge Shield was held under ideal conditions at the Wanaka showgrounds on Saturday, the 7th instant. A good muster ot members was present and these were supported by the presence of a number of local farmers. Competitions were carried out on the following:—Romney sheep (judges. Messrs T. Morrow and C. Gawn); dairy cow (judge, Mr T. Smith); Clydesdale horse (judge, Mr R. W. Gawn): identification of seeds and grasses (judge, Mr G. G. Calder, of the Department of Agriculture*.

At the conclusion of the competitions in which all members participated, the judges demonstrated the points of the section in their charge. Mr W. A, Scaife, president of the club, presented the shield to the winner, Mr A. Scaife. Mr N. McCarthy was runner-up and Mr A. Allison third. Afternoon tea was supplied by the club to those present, with the able assistance of Mrs W. Studholme.

This year’s interclub debate for the Eastern Southland District was held recently in Gore, when four teams representing three clubs took part. These debates were arranged by Mr W. Faithful, the district secretary for the Eastern Southland District. A departure was made in this contest from the usual method of running debates. The subject was “ That the Truth is not always Advisable,” and although the teams knew previously the title of the subject they were unaware until a few minutes before the debate opened of the side that they would take. This,' of course, resulted in the preparation of impromptu speeches which, on the whole, were very commendable. The first debate was between Maitland and-, the Otama B team, the former taking the affirmative. In the second debate, Balfour took the affirmative and Otama’ A team the negative. v,V . i The results of the contest, of which Mr E. C. Smith, of Gore, was the judge, are as follows: —Otama B team first, Otama A second. Maitland third, Balfour fourth.

The members- Of the winning team are as follows:—E. Mac Kay (leader), P. Mac Kay, M. White. <V In commenting on the debating, the judge expressed the opiriion that the quality of debating was very good indeed. .particularly with regard to;,iHe absence of nervousness which is- ;s,o often seen in club:debates. ~..

By now club secretaries should have, received a circular in connection with the shearing classes to be held at Roxburgh from October 22 to November 1. It is hoped that they will make every endeavour to contact members of the clubs as soon as possible in order that this project may be given the fullest possible publicity. There is already evidence that the prospects of this course have created a considerable amount of interest in the country. As well as in shearing, instruction will be given in the care and use of blades and machine shears, the handling of sheep, woolclassing. baling, and other aspects of the shearing season. Applications close on Monday, October 14, and as the number attending the course will be limited to 50, early application is urged. Applications should be made to the honorary secretary, Council of Primai'y Production. P.O. Box 693. Dunedin.

The following statement has been prepared by the South Otago District Committee and deals with a scheme for increasing production and which has been taken up enthusiastically by many young farmers’ club members. During the past two or three weeks, Mr A. B. Stewart, of Moneymore, Milton, chairman of the South Otago District Committee of Primary Production, has visited several of the South Otago Young Farmers’ Clubs in order to offer suggestions in the direction which club members can assist in increasing production. Mr Stewart stated that although all club members were materially assisting in increasing production by putting more time and effort into the job that they are employed in at present, they may also be able to assist individually by giving attention to certain

asoecls of increasing production. Most Young Farmers’ Club members explained Mr Stewart, were either employed by their fathers or a “ and lie felt sure that either “Dad or the " Boss ” would lend a willing ear and a helping hand to members who wished to assist in these efforts. First, one of the most urgent needs of the Mother Country is the production of nig meat, and in this respect Young Farmers’ Club members could offer practical help with little extra cost and labour by keeping a sow and raising weaners for fattening and sale. Another urgent need is an increase in the number of cows, both for providing cheap feed for pig raising, and providing more butter-fat for extra cheese and butter. Young farmers can again assist bv feeding and rearing an extra one or two heifer calves Good heifer calves can be obtained through dairy conmanies at bobby calf prices, details of this scheme having already been outlet for club enthusiasm is that of beekeeping. For those who care for this tyne of activity, the keening of bees is a very profitable hobby and would be of a great service to the country as it would provide a substitute for cheese for home consumption. making more cheese available for export Bees are also tial for fertilising clover and ensuring good yields of seed. Where housing is available extra poultry might also be profitably kept, and more eggs made available for exP °Mr Stewart also staled that it was a good thing for Young Farmers Club members to carry on with recreation e UC h as winter and summer games, as this assisted materially in raising our spirits and morale and so assisted in putting more energy and

vim into the week’s work, Mr Stewart said that he felt sure one of the above outlets for energy would appeal to most Young Farmers Club members who, with assistance from “ Dad ” or the," Boss ” In regard to housing and feeding, could take it up as an interesting hobby and so benefit all. The suggestions were taken up enthusiastically by the majority of club members in South Otago and it is the intention of the South Otago District Committee to take the matter up with the OtagoSouthland Council with a view to encouraging club members all over New Zealand to participate. If the scheme proves feasible much valuable work to assist New Zealand’s war effort would accrue in the aggregate from the individual effort of Young Farmers’ Club members.