CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

Waikato Times, Volume X, Issue 674, 7 October 1876, Page 2

CAMBRIDGE FARMERS' CLUB.

Thk umi-,1 montlilv meeting of thin Club waa he!d on Tuesday 1,,,fc, the 3rd i.ut, at tho National Hotel. The following member* were present — E Midean, Eeq (m the ehi.i'), Messrs Hicks, Walker Peareon, Ferguson, H Reynolds, JR Reynolds, Clark, James Run"iman, John Km-cunan, Brooks. Shaw, Capt Owen and the Secretary Mr Buttle. ' The minutes of tho previous meeting Laving beeu read and confirmed, The Secretary stated that ho had written as desired to the manager of the W 8 N Co to thank him for his note re reduction of freight upon bonei and guano, and asked for a reduction upon salt and lime when used at manure*, and tho Company had agreed to do so. Mr It H D Ferguson read the followin? pa> er •on Gathering and Sto'-in" Mangolds" : — The harvesting and storing of mangolds is one of the most important firm operations, and one in which great judgment has to be exercised throughout the whole of its progress. I am aware that the muni practice here amongst farmers is, as a rule, not to store cops but, to let them stand in the ground till they me them, but this I imagine to be a mistake. Dr Volcker, in writing on the subject says :— 1 Mangolds, when newly taken out o[ the groand, oontain a peculiar acid sub»tanc«, which lias a tendency to scour animals whi»n fed on tho fresh root. It i», therefore, customary to store away mangoldwoitzcl before using it for feeding and fattening purposes, and, it has been found that cattle relish mangolds much more, und thrive much better upon them, after a few weeks keeping, than in a fresh and raw state. Upon examination, the author has found that, by keeping, tbe proportion of sugar in the root increases considerably, whilst peotic acid diminishes. As pectic acid is readily chauged by weak

ncid into sugar duiing the refining pr«cesi of apples, para and other frut, thera cm be lutle doubt that the additional quantity Of 6Ugar in old mangold* hat been /onncd nt the expense of pectin winch is found iuall the varieties of mangolds. In feeding qualities, the mangold is considered, when iipe, as superior t^^ carrots or turnips, whilst its crop ii considerably larger.' In ray opinion, whenever a ciop haa finished growing, unless indeed it i* intended to feed it off on tho ground, the sooner it is out of the ground and stored, tho better. I have, myself, repeatedly lost muth good of crop, from not harveatmg in time, and, I now propose to show what is, in my opinion, tha best way of harvesting and itonng tho mangold. 'I he first point to engage the attention of the farmer is, as to when tho crop should be taken, as it will often be noticed that ooma patches in a field take the time of the leaf, showing that tho plant has finished growing at the tame time that other parts have a fresh green leaf, indication of tome time yet of vigorous growth. When a crop of mangolds show a flagging leaf, either from a lack of food, or from attacks of fungi, it is well to pull it at once, although, perhaps, a portion may not have attained its fullest growth. If maDgolds be harvested on really dry day, succeeded by frosty nights, I make a rule of never commencing 10 pull till all the frost has disappeared oil the plants, and then, not to take up mom than can bo oonied that night. Leaving roots exposed flat on the grouni may occasion premature rot. If, hoW ever, they cannot be carried in, it is as well to protect them, by placing the leaves and the roots either in rows or heaps. I pull and place in rows, sufficiently wide apart to allow a cart to pass between the rows, and, as they lio side by aide, the leaves are cut off with a short hook, or, a broken hook answers the purpose very well. Id ere, however, great caution is necessary. Workn en, as a rule, out them too close ; they, in fact, cut them all off in one bunchjand, therefore, »*o with them a portion of the crown. I like nearly all the leaf stalk to be left on, and am not particular as to leaving wholo leaves here and thi<re, as tho leaves soon dry up, und help the roots to pack closer in the curt or pit. lam not particular as to ki,ocking ail the dirt off the roots, as it Boon dries up. I prefer the yellow intermediate to the other sorts, **, although the long red, and many other coarse varieties yield heavier weight per acre, jet the )el low have thd quality. It has a fine smooth skin, und does not hold co much dirt as tho other varieties, and requires little or no cleaning. When the other varieties are used, they should not be knocked together too much, as t'^ skin is apt to be bruised, and so the roWj harmed. In stacking, the firat point will bo w litre they will be handiest for the ready utilization of the crop. 'Ihis decided on, choose the lea»t exposed position. Whether in a field or yard, choose a place well out of the way of cutting winds. *Rom nay experience in other things, I should lancy that anywhere near a public road was a mistake. Ii is a mighty handy crop, and anything will eat it. I generally have a smuH pit near the stable lor work horses, but, would advocate the main crop being put near the stable, for few men can resist, tho temptaiion, and hardly any think it dishonest tw steal hi* master's roois for his own horses. Therefore, put temptation out of tlvir way. Having decided upon the best position, a heap U commenced, about, four feet wide at the bas*, on the bare ground. If a pit is made, it it apt t o hold water in the bottom. The mangolds should be stacked in a triangular heap, at about 40 ° . The length of the stack does not mutter. The stuck should be covered loosely with straw as the work progresses, and, aa soon as possible after the mangoldi are all sued, the stack should be thatched. Th» best thatch /or thu p irpo3e -s, of ourse, whont straw, well drawn ar»d wetted. Ru«hes will do, or even tui grass or tussocks, do no- believe in what I have seen often dot c— clay or soil laid upon the thatch. It muy keop out wet, bu>, it does not allow ventiliition, and, wi'hout this, mangolds wi'l soon rot, especially In this cli-rmta. Good thatching will keep out wet and colrl, and will allow free ventihw tion. 1 am convin<ed that mangoldl^ s ored and t hutched a* above described, will keep many months in the best possible condition. Carrots may be stored in the same wiy, but, with less thatch. It is also woll to put sand amongst them, to keep them as dry as possible, as they .naturally pack closer than mangolds." 1 * Mr Jas Runciman asked if he was to unde-sfand that Mr Farguaaon recommended packing straw ia layers between the mangolds ? Mr BVrgusson naid, that «uch was not his intention. He merely put the straw on to cover the roots duuug the operations of the stacking, and when finished tbe whole could be thatched. Mr Kuuciman laid, he asked because straw was a very had thing to put with tbe moDgoMn. It was a harbour for rat«, If picked in this way they were •ore to be destroyed. By all moans keep •tr.aw way. He would prefer ihe thatch to be rushes or tui grass, a good way was i to lay bundles of ti-tree across tha top ai a support for tbe thatch. Mr Hicks s»id, that as far ai tW" method itself wss concerned he quite ncrced with what Mr Fergusson bad told them. But he thought, that in this district they nbould have to ad pt some other way. Tbe roots would have to bo eatin on the ground. Wh-n be was about to leave Napier he had about ten acres of mangolds, which would amount to about 300 tors ; »ome time before he left he turned all Ins st( ck into the paddock. He expect d to see <i large quantity trodden down ; bnt this was not th«^ case, the cattle eat everything, and didV remarkably well. They had a little hay with the roo's. Everyone was ■urprixed, and although the morning! were colder in Napier than here, the roots did not rot, but kept well for some tima on the ground. Thus, they need not ba afraid of mangolds rotting on the ground. There was a greit advantage in feeding on the ground. It was the tru* system. The President said, he thought it was a very extravagant one. Mr Clark said, he believed, that mangolds wsuld occupy a rery important position in this country, and one which woultlbe recognised more every yesr. They should be utilised to the best advantage. He hud used them from the field, with a view to saving labour ; but they mi?ht derive great benefit from storing them. They* wanted to know the proper tima for storing! them, as woll a* tha best method of doing so. But even when this was' ancerfcained nmoh judgement mutt be exercised. Mongolds had one valuable prop-rty, they came ia after the turnip* were done, thus they would come in and form a sort of connecting link between the turnip" and tbe young gr&ta, hence, storing was necessary. fie took excption to the way Mr Ferguson proposed of cutting the topa off. Tha knife was a dangerous tool. In Eoff*" Un<l they always tore the tops off and th« " Yellon Globe" was easily treated in this way. With reference to staoking the mangold*, he bal seen them done ia the manner Mr Fergussoa sugges-ed, and also in another way, which he thought was easier and shorter ; that wa* to make 4 two lines of ti-tree about three feet high, ™ Mid throw the roots in the middle, and afterwards thatch them. He would hara liked' to 'have heard more oa tha growth

of tho mingoH. Thy (tKo farmers) were far from having arnvol at petfectioi, anil it woild bo W3ll to know the bo»t aii'i cheapest wi\y to growtl.nn He hid made » >me expTimen - s with thin end in view, an<l he hope I others w.uld do the i>m«, They wi-h&l alno to kuow the best manure, they wanted a quicker working manu'e than bones, lie would be]gla I to hear tho opinions of others on tint matter. [Convert the bones mt superphosphate of lime.— Ed. \V. T.]t The President laid he bettered tb it all cauld grow them, but after they were grown it was difficult to know how to use them. He questioned whether it would pay to feed cattle with mangold at the present price of beef. He was taking up his crop now in Auckland, they were obliged to do so earlier than here, because of the wet weather. They packed them in ti-tree, and also in the manner recommended by Mr Fergusson. He did not use bonedust. He had used blood-manure and wit. In reference to tho kinds to be grown he was an advocate for several, so that if the season did not suit one kind it might be favourable to the other* Tho sugar beet was a good variety. He concurred with Mr Fergus«on in aaying that tho acid which wm injurious became su«ar by storing. He thought that mangolds should be fed off grass land, either by cattle or sheep, Mr j Hicks' plan was a dangerous one. Mr Hicks ixplained that his pirticular -case wit one of necessity, but the success of the experiment astonished everybody. The President said he did not dispute tli c fact, but it was a very wasteful way. lla agreed with Mr Hick* that the frost did not harm them here. Mr Hicks said there was no waste, the number of cittle was about 60. He thought that if a farmer grew fifty acres ■of roots it would be too great an expense to cart them. The President said that in England <they stored half the crop and fed the other half on the grouod, This was coneiffted sufficient to manure it. fl£r Clark thought there would be some difficulty about Mr Hicks' mode ; his experience was th*t wh-jn cattle could get at mangold I hey would eat nothing else, iwhen he fed bus cattle he had to giro them the hay fifit before they suw the mangulis, or they .would not eat then. Mr Fergusion could not see how ■" Long Beds" could be eaten on the .ground. They wer* too long to be pulled up by the cattle. Mr Hicks thought this was worthy of con*ideralioi, his mangolds were short— *jine kind of yellow. Mr Walker said he had had little experience. He had grown mangolds one Tear, they were eaten in n grass paddock. They were never thatched in this climate, they did not require thatch till November. Newly pulled mangolds had a tondoncy to sour. Mr Clark said he had covered a few with straw and they had rotted. The President said thU if mangolds were left in the sun they would rot. Mr Walker thought that only the ■water wa evaporated by the sun. W en he was a boy a shrivelled mangold was always preferred. Mr James Runciman wished Aa know -if the Preaideni thought the present the .bust tima for taking up the man/alda. The President said the best time for taking them up is Mar, wheu they woulJ .keep a long time. Mr James Kunoimm said his expert•eoce lei him to believe that the early part of August was the b<sst tioie. If *hey were left till mir they would not keep. Tliey should also guard against taking the n up before they were ripe, when*they wjuUl be equally b»i to keep. On our lands there was no belter time ■.than the early part of August. Mr Henry Reynolds said he quite agreed with Mr Clark that the Lest way whs to out them straight to the padddock where they were co b« e»ten, though they might be better for being stocked. Mr Clark §aid he generally kept a week ahead of has cattle, and he found no FCJurtng amongst them. Tnere was no wast 3, tha water aloue went away. He thought they were scarcely taking the •full banifit of tb« nuugold yet. They would be valuable for ewes and lambs as ithey are suffering from wiut of something like mangolds when grass was short. It wis in this way th»t mangolds will boeotne valuable. Mr Hicks could not see the object of •cirting them off the ground. Why not let them In and fence them so that the land could b» benefited. Mr Clark said that a nungold could not be eaten at one mouthful, and they should not be left m the dirt. He did not like to sea his boasts eating grit. It was impracticable to feed cattlo on loose ground witn mangolds After a piuit Mr Clark said he had great pleasure in proposing a vote of thansw to Mr Feigusson for his very Talnabla essay. Seconded by Mr H iUynoUs and carried. The next business was to teceivo the report of the Committee appointed last meetiog to arrange for the inspection of members farms. Mr James Kunciman then read the report drawn up by the committee. (The list of articles to be entered for inspection has alreadyfbeen published but we subjoin the rules for regulating the competition which have been made by the Cjmmitlee since Isst meeting.) Kesolved that the Inspection take AUce the first week in April, 1877.

BIJLFS. No I— (EntriM must be made in writing to the Secrattirj oa or before the fir»t d»y of March, 1877. No 2— (Gr mci) A 1 information as to mode of treatment and preceding crop to accompany entrj. Ho 3— (Hoots) Same u graves including manure or otherwise. Quantities to be oompoted for not less than — k acre of Carrots. 1 „ Mangolds, 1 „ Potatoes. 1 „ Swede Turnips. 6 „ Turnips. 5 „ Rape. No 4— Hay not leu than 10 aorrs. No s—Wheat,5 — Wheat, Barley and Oat* 3 acre* each. yf 0 g_p ett i, } an aore. -ff o 7 Orchard not lei* than ian aore. q (i,i»« fence) Age and mode of treatment to acompany entry. No 9— (Wire fence) Expense and m >de of erection to accompany entry No 10— (Iraplemauts) 'to be arranged conveniently for judges' inspection. No 11— (CaitU) To molude all cattle on far-n. No 12 — Yearlings, do, do, with mod* of treatment to accompany entry. No 13— (Sheep) '.Standing floo'x of *ny olass. ■g 0 i4_(HogKett) Whole flook of class, mode of treatment to accompany entry. 2f<> 15 — Entry fee for each class, 2§ 6d. No 16 — That certificates be giren as awards. Gfrlirziuij "Roix. It is to be understood of course, that •very information is to be given to the judges concerning the things competed: for so as to enable tkem to form a correct opinion as to their respectire merits. Mr Jimts Bondman, mored the adoption of the report. Mr Henry Reynolds seconded. Mr John Kuncinvin moved as an Amendment thai rule 15 be omitted, as it

would Invo a tentleucy to prevent mim i>ir>i'ntcrin£aa manj things v? tn< y o'l or wise would. Mr Clark Doiited ouf that tl'pre would bo expenses to meet, and the iivj/n-y woulfl be required. 'llu> nm.-ndiiiei.t lip3i'd for wint of n seconder aud iho original motion was cur riccl. The President dievr the at ention of the Club to a matter win -h bjd bern takeno up by them bfiioro, viz : the resli lotion of iu.portati.Ki of cattle, no answei haa been received from Mr Cox in reply lo the telegram sent him. He had learned that tho Government did not intend to prohibit the landiu* of cattle now on the way out. He drew their attention to the matter because neither the Auckland papers nor tin Waikato Times [l'he Ttmes has alluded more than once to tho matter. Ed ] bad noticed it, while the Australian papers had taken the matter up. Some discussion ensued and it was ultimately agreed to telegraph again to Messn ( ox and Whitaker. Mr James Runciman in accordance with notice of motion given at last meeting, moved "That this club consider the desirability of altering the timo for holding the usual New Year's sport?, as the time at which they are at pres-nt fixed materially interferes with agricultural operations then being carried on." He said th*t at first sight his proposition might be looked on as Utopian, and that he had been told it wou'd never wore. He looked upon Christmas dny m a. religious holiday, but the other holidays such as Boxing day and New Year's day interfered Tery considerably with the farming operations. He said it was time a stop was put to tho matter, and that people should refrain from giving »ny pecuniary assistance to any sporis held between the Ist December and the 28th February. Mr Walker seconded the motion, he had suffered greatly from Ijhis cause. Several members spoke of the impruct ibilify of the resolution, while some reform was necessary. The matter was postponed for consideration at some future meeting. .. Mr Hicks in accordance watn notice of motion miTed "That the annual meeting of this Club be held on 31st inat^ and that » dinner be given ou that day." Mr Ciark seconded, carried. The following member* are wppointed a dinner committee : Messrs Walker, Brooke, and John Kuncimun, and are empowered to make ihe necessary arrangements. Mr CUrk moved that the annual meeting be held at 2 o'clock p mon the 3 1st, and that the dinner take place at five o'clock. Mr J -mes Runciman seconded— carried Mr Clark gave notice th*t he would at the next meeting propose Mr H W Tiune as a member of the Club. Messrs Brooks, and & Eeynolds were appointed au litora. This was nil the businsss and the usual vote of thanks teuuisiatel the prooednigs.

The Education Eate has rec jived its death blow at thd handa of tho Assembly in tha paai»ge of the I'Jduofttioii Board's Bill. This measure— which is lutended to till up the interval between now and the time when the Government may be able to introduce aud carry a measure embodying ono national »yatem of education for the Colony — vests all administration in Boards, and does away with the varied and anomalous system of rating i\i the different Provinces, abolishing household i ate and Poll Tax on bachelors and children. The Education Kite for the present year will, however, have to be paid— and would be so tor another year, too, if Provincial fanatics, such as Mr Macandrew and others, could obtain their way in obstructing and delaying the advent of Abolition ,and lojal government reform.