DISTRICT NEWS

Taranaki Daily News, Volume LII, Issue 175, 17 August 1909, Page 4

DISTRICT NEWS

(From Our Own Correspondents.) W.AITARA ROAD. Un Tuesday last Mr. 11. W. Lawrence, consulting chemist to Messrs T. llorthwick and Sons, gave a very interesting address to a number of fanners in the Iliiirangi HaH on the treatment of soils with artificial manures. Mr. Lawrence tested two samples of csoil taken in the district, both being sour, showing strong acidity, due to decayed organic matter, huinic acid. To correct this, he recommended an application of lime, from a quarter to half a ton per acre, every live years. The effect of lime was to sweeten the soil, thus enabling the bacteria to work and set up a much better stiite of things, setting free certain fertilising constituents which would otherwise remain latent. Lime, lie added, though not a fertiliser, had the effect of increasing the effectiveness of other immures applied later, such as blood and bone, superphosphate, etc. lie quoted figures to show that by the application ot ii me, and then superphosphate, the cost as a top-dressing was much cheaper than "basic slag. Experiments at Rothcitainpslcad were quoted, where an unmanured paddock yielded at the rate of S'Acwt. per acre; the adjoining field, manured with a mineral (manure of phosphate and potash, produced 11% tons per acre; and the third of similar soil treated with a perfect manure of potash, phosphoric acid and nitrogen, gare 27 tons llcwt. per acre. Mr. Lawrence said that he was quite sure that the application of lime would work wonders' on (his end of Taranaki, sweetening the soil, and fostering the growth of the sweeter herbage, such as clovers and leguminous plants. He instance a farmer growing oats, for which lie should use blood, bone and potash and a little sulphate of ammonia. The potash was needed to hasten ripening, phosphate for root, and nitrogen for luxuriance. He said he would be pleased to analyse soils for any farmer, and make up special manures to suit the different crops the farmer wished to grow. Now that lie had an insight into the Taranaki soils, he made it his' duty to put up standard manures at the local works to suit as far as possible the general run of soils. At the conclusion of his address he was' accorded a very hearty vole of thanks.

WAREA. The bachelors of Wnrca held their annual hall on Thursday last. The weather was splendid and'there was a record ill tendance, the building being uncomfortably filled. The ilo'or was in good order and music of an excellent grade wa„ supplied b v 11 r. Duncan's orchestra. Extras were played by Air. Taylor and Mi* Francis. The 'duties of M.C.'s were carried Out bv Mr. W. l'oyuton (secretary) and Mr. 'li. Julian. The hall was beautifully decorated with large nikau leave.;, while the supper room was tastefully decorated. The "hide of the arrangements were carried out by the bachelors themselves, and they deserve great praise for the success that attended their efforts'. IV ball will be remembered with pleasure for a long time by those present. Hat-thieving was again in evidence at the bachelors' ball, Air. AV. B. Clarke losing bis headgear. Ifr. V. P. Robinson, our late factory manager, -who went for a six months' trip to England, is expected to return shortly. Mr. Newton King held a clearing sale l oil Wednesday on account of Jlr.H. .'-. Milk, who has given np farming. Tiecows were a fairly good lot and brought fair prices, the highest Mug £9 15s. On Thursday Mr. AleLaehlan's cows were auctioned. They brought up to ClO os. The average for 53 cows was U7 4s (id, which was very good, for some of them were fairly old. The farm of 500 acres was sold to Mr. Chas. .Sole, of Oaonui. at the satisfactory price of Cl 3 Ids |>e r acre. The farm implements and sundries brought a fair price, Mr. Sole purchasing the greater part of them.

Our new cheese factory manager. Mr. Taylor, arrived here on Monday, and the Ncwcll road manager came on Saturday.

A meeting in connection with the proposed motor <?ar service was held at Mr. McWhlan's' house on the day of I the sale. Amongst those present were .Messrs' Newton King and Hugh Hail)-, and a number of Rahotu, Pnngarelmand iMfiito farmers. Seven hundred and fifty ii shares were taktMi up in the venture, and there is every prospect of a great many more being taken up.. Tlie building of the Warea cheese factory is being pushed alomi as fast as' the weather will allow. The concrete wall is about completed, "while the concrete 'water-race is finished, and the wnte r will be let, through on Tuesday. The men's cottage in is in cour=e of cons! ruction, all the frame-work being creeled, and a quantity of timber for the factory is on the ground. Progress is al>'o. being made with the Xewell road factory. ' I