NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Waikato Times, Volume 121, Issue 20257, 28 July 1937, Page 13

NOTES AND COMMENTS.

Chemloal Laboratory. The chemical laboratory at the I Ruakura Farm of Instruction is now i practically completed, electricians now : being engaged in the electrical fittings. | The laboratory is to be used in conjunction with the experiments of ragwort and it is hoped that the ohemlcal and botanical researoh in conjunction will be productive of early results. Herds at Ruakura. The 'dairy herds and the beef herd at Ruakura are looking in excellent condition and are standing the winter particularly well, ample supplies of supplementary feed being available. The condition of the young beef stock is an indication of the success that is attending the farm’s experiments on the various methods of raising cattle for the ohllled beef trade. The flo-cks at the farm are looking particularly well and lambing this season is expected to be considerably earlier than usual.' Great Waikato Boar. When the last touring party of English farmers was in the Waikato it had the opportunity of Inspecting the pig herds of the district. The leader of the party was particularly impressed with the type of pig owned by the pedigree breeders 'and while at the Burwen Stud he had the opportunity of inspecting the outstanding Tarmyorth boar, Wollongbar Banker, which he described as being a perfect boar in every respect. Ayrshlres Imported. The New Zealand Ayrshire Breeders’ Association is to be congratulated on its enterprise in importing from Scotland five bulls and one heifer for the benefit of its members. It Is of Interest to note that when the sale of the imported stock was held at Wellington last week the heifer in the consignment, sold for 260gns., a reoord price for a heifer of the breed in New Zealand. The new Scottish blood should do much to, further Improve the breed in the Dominion for most Ayrshire breeders will agree that new blood was needed. Bull For Waikato. A buyer at the Wellington sale of imported, Avrshlres was the wellknown Waikato breeder, Mr W. C. Wallace, of Cambridge, who paid 160 gns for a 16 months-old hull, Greenan Barascope, a very attractive sort by Burton B'utterfat. This young bull should prove an asset in Mr Wallace’s fine herd as he has outstanding butterfat backing and is of beautiful type. The faith of Ayrshire breeders in the breed was strikingly indicated at the Wellington sale when competition was exceptionally animated for the select entry, prices ranging as high as 390 gns. This latter price was paid by Mr J. G. Donald., Feat.herston, for an 18 months-old bull, sired by a famous Highland show champion, Lessnessock Double Cream, and from one of the most noted producers in Scotland, a cow with a record of 641.321 b fat as a heifer. Young Farmers’ Clubs. At an enthusiastic meeting of young farmers in the Matangi Hall It was decided to form a Matangi District Young Farmers’ Club and the following officers were appointed:—President, Mr J. R. Ranstead.; secretary, Mr L. Annett; treasurer, Mr Southon: farm adviser, Dr. IH. E. Annett. Members of the new club represent the Matangi, Tauwhare, Tamahere and Eureka districts. Interest in the formation of young farmers’ clubs is being shown in other districts and at the monthly meeting of the Otorohanga branch of the Farmers’ Union a representative of the Department of Agriculture addressed members on the movement. At the conclusion of the address 'it was decided to call a meeting at an early date with the view of the formation of a young farmers’ club at Otorohanga. Royal at Palmerston. The next Royal Show at Palmerston North in November is likely to attract a great entry of all classes of stock, and the South Island will be strongly represented. Actually it is cheapev for Canterbury breeders to exhibit at the Palmerston North Royal Show than It is to oompete at a similar -show held at Invercargill, says an exchange. Intending competitors are already commencing to get likely animals into shape. There is talk this year of bringing in overseas Judges. This is always a commendable step to take, as it adds a desirable international flavour to the fixture. Success of Bakewell. The success of Bakewell, the father of British stock breeding, as a breeder has been attributed To the fact that (a) he was an unparalleled judge of stock; (b) he was at enormous pains to secure the best stock In the country for his purpose; (o) having secured these he bred from remarkably close relatives; (d) he ruthlessly eliminated undesirable stock. The truth of this last statement may be inferred from the facts that ho educated breeders’ tastes to a change of type, that from such mixed foundation stock as he began with, he must have bred many undesirables, and, that, he used his bulls until they were very old and that upon their near relatives.