STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 11 June 1917, Page 3

STRATFORD.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) [All communications, letters, etc., left with Mr. H. J. Hopkins, bookseller, will receive prompt attention.] : 1 MODEL DAIRY FARM. Stratfofd, June 9. A general meeting of members was held in the Council Chambers on Saturday. The president of the A. and P. Association (Mr. E. Jackson) presided over an attendance of 20 members. In the absonce of the secretary (Mr. A. D. Stanley) the duties of recording secretary were undertaken by Mr. J. B. Richards.

The secretary read the rules, after which Mr. Walter said he did not like the rule allowing the executive to appoint members without referring to the general meeting. After a little discussion it was resolved that the rule be amended so that any suggestions or nominations in that direction should go first before the annual general meeting, and be approved by. members. Tho question of setting up a management committee was then discussed. The constitution of the committee created some little trouble, several members declining nomination for various reasons, principally through-being too busy. Those objecting to nomination included Messrs Walter, Marfall, Sangster, B. McK. Morison and Masters. Tho Matter's plea was unique, in that by declining he saved an election and much time. Eventually the committee was formed of six—Messrs E. Dingle, J. B. Eichards and J. W. Boon, the guarantors, and Messrs S. 'Pitt, W. H. Were and Frank Banford, the general members. The Department of Agriculture notified that Mr. Deem, field supervisor, Wanganui, had been selected chairman by the Government, and that the rules drawn up met with their approval. TOKO SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION Tlie Toko Settlers' Association is a very live institution. Each year contests are held for cups presented for best root orojjs and milking herds. The results of the past twelve months, ending May 31, arc to hand, Mr. Gernhoefer, secretary, having handed in tho following results. It will be noted that tlie herds have not done so well this year as the previous perfod, this being due to the very dry weather. Messrs K. Walter and J. Lucerne were judges, being assisted by Mr. J. W. Deem, field supervisor. Besults:— Swedes.

E. Jones. —Fine even crop, showing thorough cultivation and value of trimming. Mrs. Maule.—Good even strike, roots average size, showing advantage of letter cultivation and early trimming.' C. Bayly.—Crop thick, nothing done regarding trimming, but land showed evidence of much preparation. W. H. Were.—Land chosen rather steep, not suitable for heavy crops, where room on the hillside up-to-date variety showed fine roots and promise good results on Toko soil. Mrs. Leydon.—Crop put in roughly, showing want of early ploughing "and cultivation. T. Needham.—Crop very thin and bare patches in several places. Owner says a lot taken by the grubs. 1 • General remarks.—Jones and Mr.°. Maule show advantage of ploughing and thorough cultivation. December 7 to 15 appears a most suitable time for sowing. Mangolds.

C. Bayly, Toko road. —Fine even strike, but after cultivation negleated, one-half sown too thick and not thinned. Thinned portion averaged 05 tons, whilst until inned portion 53 tons 12cwt is in favor of thinning. W. H. Howe, Robson road.—A mixed crop, and not given any special attention.

A. Needham, Douglas.—Portion sown in later than lower parts of paddock, and roots not had time to grow. J. .W. Crowe, Skinner road.—Spoilt by having carrots growing amongst mangolds. Evidences of carelessness in sowing.

W. H. Were, Toko.—Crop badly knocked about after first sowing, and later sowing not had time to develop weight. December a bit late for sowing- j General remarks.—Crops showed want of thinning and proper sowing, probably owing to shortage of labor. Would suggest sowing in drills 28in apart, and thus secure better crops and clean land for the next crop. A man or boy with a horse could cultivate six acres a day. "5 Carrots. . I

J. W. Crowe.—Good cultivation, but large patches have no carrots. C. Bayly.—Crops required thinning and more cultivation. W. H. Were.—Fairly even sowing, but thinning and cultivation neglected. General remarks.—Toko land appears very suitable for carrots. Would suggest sowing in drills 21 to 21ins. apart, and using the horse cultivator. Herd Averages. The following details are furnished for milk received from the herds from June 1, 1910, to May 31, 1917:

GENERAL. At Ngaere yesterday, a lad named McMillan, in endeavoring to open a window, broke a pane, lacerating his right hand pretty badly. In the absence of his parents the lad's injuries were attended to by Mrs. Walters, after which he was taken to Stratford, and here Dr. Steven inserted several stitches in the wound.

Something like a cow! One of Messrs Ranford 'Bros.' Jersey herd, Lassie's Duchess, has put up a great milking record, in a semi-official test, under herd conditions, which provides against forced feeding, and cows dogged up and down night and morning. The yield was 409.S3lbs butter-fat, the standard for the test being 3501b5. The same cow is now on private test, and is showing equal results to the semi-oflicial teat. This is a practical demonstration of the vame, •of having the best class of cows in a herd. The farewell social tendered Private .T, L. Scott drew a large attendance at the Ngaere hall. A number of songs, dances, etc., were contributed by Mrs. C Phillips and Messrs. T. Sanne, A. E. Wilson, fl. Bradley, Sergt.-Major Mahoney and T. Orr. During the evening 'Private Scott was presented with a wristlet watch by Mr. W. Morison, on behalf of the residents of Ngaere. The floor was in excellent condition for dancing, and the music, really first-class, was supplied by Miss Dorothy Walker (piano), S. Parker (cornet), G. Bradley (drum), and W. Walsh (violin). Extras were contributed by Messrs G. Coleman, H. Harrison and Misses Walsh, Callaghan and Slater. Chatting to a Ngaere farmer here today the man on the land informed me that two farms had recently changed hands, one realising £6O per acre and the other £4O.

A. cold breeze and absence of sun made to-day anything but pleasant for visitors to town. The patriotic tea rooms and mart, however, seemed to secure good trade during the afternoon. ' At the meeting of the Domain Board on Friday, Mr. G. N. Curtis in the chair, the Mayor (Mr. J. W. McMillan) attended in regard to a request from the council to secure a site on tho Patea river for borough purposes. It was resolved that the bflard should inspect the site oh Monday at 2 p.m. The Stratford Gun Club had another successful afternoon on Thursday. Competition was keen, entries large and shooting good. The sparrow match saw Messrs B. Green, J. Wheeler, A. Nelson and F. Collins kill 13 each out of 14 birds. The double rise match ended in a tie betweon J. Mcßridc and F. O Connor. F. Whittle proved the champion in the clay pigeon match with 12 consecutive breaks. In the first miss out Green and Collins hung on till 13 clays had been, broken by each. The sport was brought to a close by three box shoots, and two of these went to F. Whittle and to Green the third. The Stratford girls deserve congratulations in wiifning the. hockey championship at Hawera early in the week. Their record was two wins and a draw.

Crockeryware is becoming more and more expensive as the shipments become more scarce. That being so, those ladies on the look-out for the very best Doulton china and other ware should note that the best variety, combined with moderate prices, will bo found at C. E. James' warehouse.

CulW'g't. t'v'n. Qtv. Ttl. E. Jones 7 103 Mrs. Maule . .. 70J 5 7 88J C. Baylv .. 63A 7 5 75J W. H.'Were . .. 544 4 G 64$' Mrs. Leydon . .. 44 3 3 50 T. Needkam . .. 3U 3 6 43 J

CulName ' W'g't. t'v'n. Qty. Ttl. C. Bavly t. .. 118 2 6 126 \V. H.'Rowe ... .• 97J e B 1091 A. Noedham ... . .851 S 6 991 iT. W. Crowe ... . 684 » 4 701 W. H. Were .. . 04| 6 5 75j

' • CulName W'g't. t'v'n. Qty. Ttl. J. W. Crowe .. .. 36i 0 6 48|; C. Bayly 39J 3 G 48} iW. H. Were .. 31 2 5 38

No. But.-fat Average Cows lbs. per cow J. W. Crowe 2S 7415.8 204.8 C. Bayly (J. Woolaston) 35 0020.0 257.7 M. Gernhoefer.. 33 8098.2 245.2 C. Bayly (W.Smith) .. G3 14832,0 235.4 A. <T. Chainey.. 64 12158.1 225.1 C. Bayly (C. Lofroth). 02 13395.0 216.0 The agerages for last year were:— C. Bayly (J. Woollaston) 35 9S58 281 ,T. W. Crowe .... 20 7927 273 C. Bayly (W. Smith)... GO 17441 204 M. Gernhoefer .. 34 8802 2o8 A .T, Chainey ... 67 14524 ,254 C. Bayly .(C. Wroth) .. 62 14204 229