BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

Taranaki Daily News, 30 July 1918, Page 6

BOARD OF AGRICULTURE.

\ LAST WEEK'S BUSIN'ESS. Last week the Board of Agriculture field several meeting under the Presidency of Sir Jame3 G. Wilson, and discussed with the Hon. Minister, and the Director-General of Agriculture, Dr. Roakes, a number of matters affecting tho agricultural and pastoral industry, and the re-organisation of the Department of Agriculture. PUREBRED SHEEP REGISTRATION. A letter was received from the Romucy Marah Sheepbreeders' Association stating that it had been decided that the Roniney Marsh flocks appearing in tiic New Zealand Sheepbreeders' Association (South Isknd) Flock book should be admitted to the North Island Romney Marsh Flock book without further inspection. It was agreed to write expressing satisfaction with the action taken by the Ronrocy Marsh Sheopbrecders' Association, which the Board considers will add to the efficiency of the registration of Stud Stock. It was also decided to eonjmunjoate with the North and South Island Sheepbreeders Associations, suggesting that the South. Island Association should take over and include in its books all the flocks of the following breeds, which now appear in the North Island Flock book, namely, English Lcicestcra, Border Leicestere, Shropshire and Ryeland; that the Southdown flocks should be retained in the North Island Flock book, and the flocks of this breed appearing in the South Island flock l>ook should be transferred to the North Island book. It was also agreed to suggest that the Lincoln flock at present registered in the South Island Flock book should be transferred to the Now Zealand Lincoln Flock Book. Tho adoption of these suggestions would #ivc effect to the resolution unanimously agreed to at the meeting of representatives of all the Breed Societies in the Dominion held with the Board last year; and subsequently endorsed by ,the Council of Agriculture at its recent conference.

VICUNAS, ALPACAS AND LLAMAS.

An enquiry was received as to the advisability of permitting the introduction into New Zealand of Vicunas, Alp2cas, and Llamas. As it was pointed out thai Llamas and Alpacas had been imported many years ago, and had proved of no commercial value, and as the result of the enquiries which had been made wa9 unfavourable, the Board could not recommend that their introduction be permitted. AUSTRALIAN BIRDS,

An enquiry was also received asking 'for the Board's views a3 to the introduction of a few Australian bir.ls, including the Australian Blue Wren and Honey-eaters. With regard to this application, it wa3 also decided that, in view of past experience,' which showed that fresh environments often changed the habits of introduced birds, thereby causing them to, become pests, their introduction into New Zealand could not be recommended. RESTRICTING THE TICK. The Board discussed with Dr Reakes the best means to adopt for dealing with the question of restricting the spread of ticks from the northern part of the Dominion to other parts, both by land and i>y sea, and fully concurred with the proposals he suggested. , SOLDIERS' FARMS. The question of the farm which the Wairarapa people had so generously handed over to the Government for the training of returned soldiers, and for experimental purposes, was discussed at some length, and it was finally agreed that Dr. Reakes should arrange to meet the committee dealing with the scheme at Masterton, and go into the'matter fully with them. TRAINING MAIMED SOLDIERS. It was pointed out by Mr W. Perry that a school had been established in England for the purpose of training maimed soldiers for various occupations, among which might bo mentioned wool classing, and that it was a very good opportunity for New Zealanders in England to acquire training of this kind. It was also decided to write to the Hon. Minister recommending that arrangements (be made to enable some of our soldiers who are at present in Ejuropc to obtain such training In agricultural science and practice as will fit them for talcing up positions'in the Department of Agriculture on their return to the Dominion. ' ■...■' TREE PLANTINQ; ; In connection with the question of tree planting by farmers, the Board resolved to advise all land holders to immediately plant more quick growing timber trees. In three year 9 these trees would provide shelter for stock, in ten years good lire wood, and in less than twenty years useful fencing material and where brambles or other weeds occupied rough and inferior areas, trees planted close together would be found to lie the liest growth to smother them. The Board decided to remind th&.,public that a leaflet giving furl particulars as to the be=t trees' te plant, and a list of trees and seeds-for sale, from the Whakarewarewa and Tapanui nurseries, could Ire procured on application cither to the Lands Department in Wellington, or to the nurseri« named. OTH BR MATTERS. ' ? : Amongst otlter matters dealt with were uniforyi rules for Flock books; wool pack and corn sack shipments from Calcutta; the settlement of returned soldiers on the land; a proposed scheme for the earmarking and branding of stock: the temporary discontinuance of High Commissioner's weekly market produce cable; tie shortage of ships to convey New Zealand produce to outside market*; and toe necessity that existed for faxntero to increase the area of root ami f<wag« crops for winter food, a? it is possfiU* tb»t<J; e freezing works may not be ib'te ya provide, space for the usual number of abe«n and lambs, which in the ortKnary course would come forward during At aewoo.