SHANNON FARMERS AT WERAROA.

Otaki Mail, 22 May 1922, Page 4

SHANNON FARMERS AT WERAROA.

A PROFITABLE VISIT

On Wednesday last some 35 local farmers leu Shannon, by motors to pay a visit to the Weraroa Central Development Farm, with a view ol benefitting by the knowledge and experience of that institution, and in this they were not disappointed. Arriving at the Farm about 11.30 a m., they

were met by the manager, Mr MoCut- . loch, and invited to lunch. Afterwards the pasture land was examined, and the great advantage ol permanent pasture was discussed and explained. One farmer remarked that he ■ nad oiten thought, lie was putting down permanent pasture, but had not known until that day that it was only temporary. The general opinion seemed to be" dial the average farmer knew vorv little about farming, but bad to make a few visits to Weraroa before he realised it. One paddock was shown the visitors that had been shut up for only four weeks, and would now cut two and a-half tons of good Pay per acre. The experimental grass plots were visited, and were a real eye-opener, the tanners stating that many of them had for years been working along wrong lines. Alter a refreshing cup of tea, the party continued on to the cow sheds and viewed a splendid herd of liolsteins,' which had some good records to their ci edit, and also some Red Polls which were being built up into a herd on good sound lines. The farmers realised that they had not visited the Farm often enough, and at different periods of the year, and considered that Mr McCulloch was the right man in the right place. They hoped to . make further visits, and several were anxious to become members of die •school classes if there were vacancies next year.

Mr Murray, in a few words, thanked the ladies for the very nice refreshments supplied, and also Mr McCulloch for his interest and courtesy, file Shannonites returned home c-n lightened on many points, and realising how much they had yet to leant.