STRATFORD.

Taranaki Daily News, 18 February 1918, Page 3

STRATFORD.

MODEL DAIRY FARM. Stratford, Feb. 15-To-day should be e "red-letter" day to some of the farmers and otners mterssted in dairying, us it indicates the opening of the model dairy farm to visitors The idea of establishing a farm is no new thing and has agitated the minds of some for a few years past — men who recognised the importance of jtratford as a dairying centre and the knowledge that the farmers should be given every encouragement and assistance to iind out what fertilisers were best required for the pastures in the district, the treatment of cattle, the grasses most suitable and time for sowing. 'Writing from memory Messrs J. BRichards, R. Dingle, R. Masters, E. Jackson and J. Healy were early associated with the idea that a farm of small area but with the latest and best means of dairying to hand should be secured. The A. and P. Association took up the matter and eventually secured Government recognition of the work. This Was not accomplished without much thought, deputations, etc. With the assistance ol the Government, the scheme, originally outlined by Mr. Richards took shape, and it is not so many months back that Mr E. Jackson (then president of the A. and P. Association) held a public meeting in the Council Chambers nerc and a committee was elected to take over control of the property, consisting of 143 acres, secured from Mr. It. Dingle. That meeting was well attended, and as a result a committee, consisting of Messrs J. B. Richards, R. Dingle, YV. H. Were, J. W. Boon, and V. Ranford, was appointed. The Government, however, desired representation with a further proviso that t'heir delegate, Mr. ./. W. Deem, should be chairman- Once under way. the Education Board undertook the working of ten acres, and under the control of the instructors the bovs of the

school studying agriculture are doing the work of testing, milking cows, etc, analysing the soil; caring for the root crops, etc. Besides giving credit to the gentlemen named it should be borne in mind that the A. and P. Association was very active in keeping the matter before the public. Mr. Stanley, secretary of the Association, had a, lot. of work in this connection, that has probably been forgotten by many, and who, when tilings were ripe for going aheßd, resigned the secretaryship to Mr. Win. Power, who now holds the position. To-day the wen titer was not by any means favorable for outdoor inspection. a persistent rain falling. Despite this there were very many visitors present, who were agreeably surprised at the work already accomplished. Mr. J. W. Deem, chairman of the committee, said it was. unfortunate that the afternoon bad turned out so bad, but it was gratifying to notice so many present They were receiving them in the cowshed, but they could see it was of the best, and the visitors would carry nothing away. The committee hoped they would have frequent visits to the farm. The idea was to get a farm in this district to carry out demonstrations in farming. The climate here was suitable, and any demonstration of growing crops would be applicable to the district. The farm was duly taken over in August, and with labor scarce, and money short they were only able to go anead slowly. They did not intend taking up new experiments, but would carry on those that had proved satisfactory on other experimental farms. I n the past a good deal of work of a beneficial character had been done by farmers, lint this was frequently lost through the farmer selling out, and the records he had gained were frequently lost. Their main object was to show the value of the cultivation of the ground, also care and feeding of cattle. The cow was generally recognised as the one beast in Taranaki. The growing of root crops was very important and required building up. Then the value of plantations required demonstration. The place was verv bleak and they hoped'to show the value of having plenty of shelter. They were milking 37 cows at present and hoped later on to bring the number to over G7. Everything they did was of a substantial character. They were not farming for a few years, but were there, they hoped, for all time. They hoped the Education Department would work hand in glove with the Agricultural Department and the committee so that they would have a record of a practical nature. They were charging a membership fee of 03 and all were welcome. They welcomed a thorough criticism of their methods. They did not profess to be perfect, and believed there were farmers who could give them assistance with their experience. Farmers could givo information when they planted crops, etc., and any problems they had thev could go to the committee and demonstrate He thought the committee were entitled to eredit for the great amount of time, labor, etc., expended on the work and the support of the farmers would be very encouraging- Later on, as the growth of the crops was completed, they would be weighed, and the results made know to farmers. The farm would be open every Thursday for visitors and be hoped farmers from all parts of the district would accept the invitation. Mr. J. B. Richards said it was very gratifying to the committee'to see such a good attendance. A gr»at deal of work had been done in getting the project going, and the society established, and if this was taken note of by the farmers it would be gratifying to the society. He hoped the farmers .would take an interest in the farm and To*o» up the various demonstrations thev had in view. He paid a tribute to the A. and P. Association, who were the pioneers, with the Promotion Committee. They had blazed the trail and the thanks of the district was due to the A. and P. Association for the start. The visitors then moved out in the rain and inspected the green crops, cattle, etc. The green crops were found in excellent condition, showing great care and attention.

GIFT AUCTION APPEAL.

Stratford, Feb. 10. The following delegates were present at the meeting held in the council chambers this afternoon: The Mayor (in the chair), Messrs W. P. Kirkwood, R. McK. Morison, E. Walter, R. A. Briekncll (Tututawa), S. Mann (Mahoe), E. Bocock, E. Marfell, B. Orr, D. J. Malone, V. H. Nolan (Te Wera), W. A. Hewitt, W. H. Young, V.- Smith, A. Huggett, Knox, M. McDonald, J. B. Richards, Mellow, G. Sangstor, N. Brown, and the joint secretaries (Messrs A. L. Grant and W, J. Crawshaw). Apologies were accepted for nonattendance from Messrs T. E. Coktman, F. J- Mackay, and A. A. Stewart. Mr. Young reported that he and Mr. Malone tag made a canvass of tUe

town and had secured very encouraging re«ults. Tlie delegate; then went through the results of the canvassers' work on the several roads throughout the district, and in those, instances where results had not come to hand canvassers were appointed to go over these grounds. The question of collecting stock was reviewed. It was {minted out that in , some instances two men would be rei quired for droving. A drover would find it awkward to bring sheep and cattle , over the. roads together, whilst sheep were heing picked up at odd farms. It ; wa s thought the drovers would arrange , these details. Mr. Hewitt suggested , they might make an effort to get the stock through on Friday night. This , was considered to he impossible in some , oases. Mr. Hewitt further stated that , there wag plenty of accommodation and water in the paddock. Messrs S. Pitt, V. Smith, and M. McDonald were appointed a sub-commjttee to work with the auctioneers on sale day. Messrs Webster and Garvie were appointed to draft the sheep for sale. , The next meeting will he held on Tuesday afternoon, at 3.30 o'clock. The following farther donations have been received:— Matau (J. H. Hobbs, Loan and Mercantile Co., canvasser): ,Tos. Chapman one lamb. W. R. Smellie one hogget, Albert Rolfe one wether, Jas. Wallace three ewes, J. H. HnMw ♦.»■, ewe g, A. 0- Dowman one ewe, Thos. Moody one lamb, W. J. Rawlinson one wether, Thos Pearse one wether, G. L. Young ten lambs, Geo. Jensen one ewe, Smith Bros, one wether, E. Erickson one lamb, G. H. Rawlinson ten ewes, S. D. Hallev two ewes, W. A. Good one lamb. Total account sales for above stock sold at Matau by Loan and Mercantile Co., £27 8s 2d. Beaconsfield road (V. Smith, canvasser): W. D. Knowles, £1 Is. Pohokura (D. M. Piteaithly, canvasser) :—J. M'Cluggage, timber value £2 2s f.o.b. truck Pohokura. CARDIFF'S WELCOME A welcome home was tendered to Private W. Belcher at the Cardiff schoolhouse, on Friday evening. The hall was crowded. l n the absence of Mr. Richards the duty of welcoming home Private Belcher was entrusted to Mr. J W. Rogers, who expressed the pleasure it gave all present to once more see Private W. .Belcher back in their midst. The soldier had been awny for a long period, nearly three years, and whilst r.orry to note his injuries they trusted Ibeir guest would soon be restored to health. Private Belcher, in a neat little -peecli, stated he was glad to get back I'omc once more. He had seen a few places in his travels as a soldier, and could assure h's friends that then/ were plenty of worse places to lie in than Cardiff. His injuries (in the knee?) were caused by a shell landing close to the trenches He would have liked to have .seen the war through and arrived home vith the knowledge that the war was a thing of the past, but it was not to be. He thanked them for the kindness and consideration shown him since his return. A very fine programme was submitted, the soloists being Miss Sheahnn, Messrs T. AVilson, Tom TCanford, j Chas. Fox and others. Mr. Fox also , ncted as aceWpanist and played for the dance that followed. center; The owner of Wishful, winner of two races at the last meeting at New Plymouth, has made a donation to the gift auction appeal. Mr. G. L. Stead heard of the appeal being made in this district on behalf of the Wounded Soldiers Fund and promptly made a. donation of .CIS, which has been duly acknowledged by the treasurer. At the county council meeting to-day matters relating to the Railway Department not running special trains for races, and the breaking up of county roads through heavy traffic were ventilated- One councillor remarked that they should "take old by the scruff of the neck and throw him out" The sentiment was approved by others. "Our by-laws are out of date and only fit for the waste-paper hasket," remarked Cr. Were, and the need for a general revision was endorsed by other councillors. It was considered 'that a conference of local bodies throughout Taranaki was needed 1 to secure uniformity of by-laws. A letter wa s received by the Stratford County Council from A. .T. Perrott. Hniroa, complaining of drains being blocked nn properties near him. and requesting that owners should be asked to clear these. The chairman and Cr. Were stated that tW letter was quite true, and the drains s'hould be kept clear of weeds, etc. Notices are to be sent to the offending settlers to clear out the drains. "Ucan" haircutter is a unique little instrument now going on the market, for which C. E. James is the agent for the Btratford district. The "Ucan" is i a combination of razor and comb, where- : by one can reduce the growth on the , head to any shortness. One can have | the short military crop or have luxuriant i tresses like an Israelite; it makes no difference. There is no danger nf cutting, and mother can cut sonny's hair whilst she brushes it. The price is ins c post free, and is good value to those ' with families in frequent need of hair- i dressing. C. E. James will be pleased to give all information.—Advt. s