The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1890. A FARMERS CLUB.

Temuka Leader, Issue 2049, 22 May 1890, Page 2

The Temuka Leader THURSDAY, MAY 22, 1890. A FARMERS CLUB.

At a recent meeting of the Temuka Caledonian Society, the president, Mr A. M. Clark, m' the course of a few remarks said it would be desirable during the winter session that addresses should be delivered on various topics of interest, and that the society generally should endeavour to do something more than study merely the amusement of its members and friends. The immediate outcome of these suggestions has been the engagement of Mr M. Murphy, the wellknown Secretary of the . CanterburyAgricultural and Pastoral Association, to deliver a lecture on “ Farming,” to which all interested are invited., This is a step in the right direction, and although as a rule the farmer is a difficult person to attract to' meetings of this description, still in view of the lecturer’s attainments, and the interest that should attach to the subject in such a district as this, there should be a good attendance. Farmers still have much to learn, and it is to the interest of not only themselves, but of the colony at large, that they should be thoroughly proficient in every part of their business. More or less directly everything comes from the soil, and it is of essential importance that our land should be made to yield its utmost. In earlier days many embarked in farming pursuits, whose knowledge of the subject was of the most limited order. Favored with a virgin soil and a good climate; to say nothing of low rents and fair prices, their efforts were often singularly successful. Comparatively speaking, the ground had only to be scratched to yield a crop, and from this a somewhat slovenly method of farming resulted. Now that the soil is somewhat deteriorated, and that rents are high, and prices none too’good, it takes a thoroughly practical man to hold his own, The days for relying upon cereal crops are gone by. Farmers must no longer trust their eggs all in the one basket. Something of everything must be grown in season, and wool as well a.B grain must have its share of attention. However successful a man may be as a sheep farmer it does not follow that he is a good cultivator ot the soil, and vice versa. Many farmers nbw-a-days have the very vaguest ideas of the proper or most profitable class of sheep to keep, and others anxious to do their best have yet no notion of the most approved methods of working different varieties of soil for the crops they desire to grow. Most of their farming is of a haphazard character. From a man of Mr Murphy’s experienee they may learn much, but much more could they learn of one another. The humblest “ cockatoo ” might giye a tip to his neighbor, the big farmer, w ho in his turn might impart a “ wrinkle ” from his larger experience. By combination such questions as the small birds nuisance might be dealt with in a practical manner, and a society of our agriculturists properly organised, especially if affiliated to kindred societies, might make recommendations regarding the grain traffic, etc., which would receive due attention from Government. All that is required is unity of purpose, and if this can be secured much good can be done. In such a large and flourishing district as this there should be little difficulty in the formation of a very influential Farmers Club, and such an organisation, as we pointed out in several articles about six years ago, established on a liberal basis would become in time a most useful institution. To it many difficult points could be referred. Bates of wages, price pf threshing, freights, and so forth could all be’ if not actually adjusted, put in a fair way of uniform settlement. The most desirable classes of wheat to be grown, the best sheep to keep, and' many other points of interest could be : dealt with, and by a very little management some reliable forecast of the prospects of the European and Intercolonial markets might be made, and instead of the present risky method of cropping a system more likely to meet the world’s demand might be inaugurated. Our farming friends may or may not feel disposed to adopt some of the above suggestions, but that they will attend the forthcoming lecture we feel sure, and m doing so give to the Caledonian Society the credit for moving in their interests.