WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB (HAMILTON BRANCH).

Waikato Times, Volume XXXVI, Issue 2892, 27 January 1891, Page 2

WAIKATO FARMERS' CLUB (HAMILTON BRANCH).

The monthly meeting of the above Club was hold in the Waikato Times Buildings on Saturday afternoon at half-past two o'clock. There were present : Messrs A. Primrose (chairman), J. J. Barngh. F. .T. von Stunner, A. Furze, R. W. Dyer, T. G. Sandes, C. J. W. Barton, \V. A. Graham, James Runciman and R. J. Gwynne. The Chairman said that the Club seemed as if it would vanish, as at the last two meetings there had not been a quorum present. This was a great pity as the Club should not be allowed to die through the carelessness of the farmers, as it could be of immense advantage to them. He thought thatif enough interest was not felt in tho subject to keep up the monthly meetings that they might be held quarterly. The number of members, he said, was 52, of whom 33 had paid their subscription, leaving only 1!) unpaid and these he thought would be paid before the annual meeting. Tho Club had a credit balance of £3 1"h, and with the unpaid subscriptions would have available over £8, showing that the finances of the Club were sound. He said the Club could do much good that would be appreciated by the farmers iu having manures analysed. This questi m alone should encourage farmers to support the Club, because, as individuals, they could do little to check the values of manures, but as a C.ub they could obt iin analyses which would be availablu to them as a whole. Bad manures, he said, were the cause of heavy losses to farmeis. With reference to lime, he said that although the price had been considerably reduced of iate, there would yet have to be considerable reduction to allow of it being used to its proper extent, as there was no use sprinkling tho ground, as it had often been done with artificial manures. Having to bag the lime at once put it out of the reach of the farmer, who had to use it in largo quantities. In concluding, ho said it was an important question whether the Club should be carried on or let die, and he for one would he very sorry to see it die. Mr J. J. Barngh reiterated the opinions expressed by him in a letter appearing in these columns a short time back. He said the most important duties of a Farmer's Club was to act as a vigilance committee with regard to manures, of whioh there had been great adulteration, and by which the small farmers were the principal losers. He said ho had frequently sent manures down to the Lincoln College and they had been analysed there free of charge. The College was always glad to do any analysis. He was very sorry to see the Club go to pioces and would be glad if it could bo upheld in any way. Mr Barton said he had been approached by several members with reference to having papers read at the ineetines. Mr I. Coates had promised to read a paper on "Seeds," and Mr R. W. Dyer one on "Farmers' Co-operation," and if Mr Barugh would read one on " Manures," these subjects might occupy the Club for the next three months, and would tend to work it to its proper position. He was very sorry to see the Club go to pieces for want of attendance, but at this time of the ' year it was rather too much to expect farmers to attend meetings on certain days. Mr Dyer thought the farmers themselves had got no conception as to the properobjects of tho Club, the bulk of them regarding it simply as a place to meet together to compare notes as to experience, and little more. He said he did not wish to discourage this discussion, but if this was nil that was done at the meetings the farmers would take littlo interest in them. The Clubs might be put to far better use and take a wider range. The farmers should combine, as all other classes of tho community, were doing and form some sort of a Farmers' Union by which a member might receive assistance when required. The club could also be a political one, and although not administrative it could watch the progress of events in politics and the I farmers being united would be able to make themselves heard. He thought that if the executive drew up a programme three or four months beforehand and published it the farmers would be more likely to attend the meetings. He had not spoken on this subject before, as at the inauguration of the Club an opinion was pretty generally expressed that the farmers would be able to manage for themselves. Mr W. A. Graham spokoatsome length, and urged the necessity of co-operation among the farmeis, as without this none of their undertakings would bo successful. He advocated one Club for Waikato, but said ho would be sorry to soe this branch die out now it had been established. The Chairman said that the matter was now in the members' hands to make the Club a success, but tlioy must take a littlo trouble. It was decided to ask Mr Coates to read his paper on "Seeds " at the next meeting, and Mr Dyer promised to read his paper on " Farmers' Co-operation " at the annual meeting in March. After some desultory discussion among the members present, who expressed a determination to revive the Club, the meeting closed with a voto of thanks to the chair.