NORTH WAIRARAPA COUNTY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

Wairarapa Daily Times, Volume 6, Issue 1592, 25 January 1884, Page 2

NORTH WAIRARAPA COUNTY SETTLERS' ASSOCIATION.

e . ■ FARMERS' CLUB, The maiden meeting of the Farmers' Club section of the North Wairarapa Sounty Settlers' Association was held on Wednesday evening last. Mr E, E, Chamberlain was, proposed as the Chairman, but declined in favor of Mr . Dagg, who consented to preside, The Secretary laid before the meeting a copy of the rules and regulations of the Oxford Farmers' Club which he had procured, - .'. The Chairman said it would be for the meeting to decide whether they ' should adopt them as a whole or take them in detail, Mr Hawkins pointed out that some : of the rules read would clash with the i

Association regulations. He proposed that the rules be referred to a committee to consist of Messrs Beetham, Chamberlain, Hessey, Lowes, and the Chairman, Mr Lang seconded the motion, which was carried, The Chairman then introduced the question of the turnip crop Mr Chamberlain reported that the flies had eaten his turnips. The Chairman said thdt his were in a similar state, having been eaten by a sort of grasshopper. . Mr Beetham said he had some turnips on the Taratahi,' and they looked well when he last saw them. The Chairman thought it would b6 a good thing to introduce fresh seed into the Wairarapn, Mr Chamberlain did not see why they could not grow their own seed. Mr Hawkins heard that in American imported seed many insects had been found. ' Mr Beetham said they might introduce the potato bug into the colony by importing American seed. v Mr Hawkins heard that down south ' seed was steeped in kerosene and sulphur, a preparation which kept the fly from it, He believed the slow germination of seed this year had been prejudicial. To make it germinate quickly tlioy would requiro super phosphates. MrHessey said he intended to try super-phosphates next year with grain. . Mr Chamberlain would liko to seo the super-phosphates made in tho district. The Chairman held that the supply of bones in the district would not enable them to manufacture it in sufficient quantities. Mr W. H. Beetham said tho Lincolnshire farmers used to make their own super-phospbateß on their own farms, Dr Hosking pointed out that sulphuric acid was now made in New Zealand. Mr Hessey quoted £9 per ton as the price of super-phosphates at Belfast. Mr Beotham said Mr Buchanan had imported it from the south for his turnips, Tho chairman said they had plenty of phosphates of lime in tho district, Mr Beetham said that quicklime was objected to as-a manure. It was considered bad farming in England to uso it. It gave ono good crop by exhausting the soil. Mr Hawkins thought it was too late now to consider the question of manuro for this season's turuips, An interesting discussion followed on growing rape, and other subjects of practical interest.