ALFREDTON

Wairarapa Times-Age, 13 October 1939, Page 7

ALFREDTON

WOMEN’S INSTITUTE FLOWER SHOW RESULTS. (“Times-Age” Special.) At the monthly meeting of the Alfredton Women’s Institute. Mrs Hull presided over a good attendance of members. The Ode to Friendship was sung, and the prayer for peace rendered. Miss, S. Napier and Mrs Janeill were appointed delegates to attend the Bush District Federation Council meeting on October 31. A flower show was held. There being a very bright display of spring blooms. The points prize. was won by Mrs G. Napier. Mrs Didsbury and Mrs E| Seymour tied for second place and Mrs J. Parsonson was third. The champion bloom was shown by Mrs L. Heckler (aricula). The judges were Mrs L. Raleigh and Mr S. Price. Mrs Togi Raleigh, who is leaving the district, was presented with a crystal cake stand. Mrs Hull expressed the regret of the Institute as losing such a keen member. Her floral demonstrations had been most instructive. Mrs Raleigh suitably responded. A dainty afternoon tea was served by the hostesses, Mrs J. Parsonson and Misses S. and M. Napier. The singing of the National Anthem brought an enjoyable gathering to a close. YOUNG FARMERS’ CLUB SEED CERTIFICATION LECTURE. At the monthly meeting of the Alfredton Young Farmers’ Club Mr H. Edmonds presided. Correspondence was read urging members to give full support to the district committee’s fleece competition. Mr N. Lamont, of the Department or Agriculture, gave an interesting lecture on the departments seed certification scheme, illustrating with lantern slides the very great differences between the uncertified and the certified strains at the various grasses and clovers. The speaker emphasised the fact that it was quite impossible for any one to recognise by eye the good from the bad types. Such things' as colour, brightness, “shottiness,” bushel weight, etc., are no more than selling points, and are absolutely no guide as to the real worth of the seed. Mr Lamont then outlined the procedure involved in seed certification, and showed the care that was taken to ensure that the guarantee given by certification was absolutely sound. He pointed out that at first the source of certified strains of ryegrass was certain old pasture areas in Hawke’s Bay, Poverty Bay, Sandon and to a very limited extent the Wairarapa. These old “mother” areas had now been replaced to a large extent by areas sown with the “pedigree” strains bred by Mr E. Bruce Levy. In concluding the speaker said that many buyers failed to make use of the full information available for every certified line of seed with reference to the purity and germination of the line. Certification did not in any'wvay guarantee germination but it did ensure that the information was available. Buyers should, therefore, always ask to see the official certificate provided with every line that is certified. Mr Lamont was warmly thanked for his address.