Jan. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N ,S.W. 69 



the present time having brought the question of conservation of fodders 

 forcibly before the farmers. 



The article in the November issue of the Gazette by Mr. G. C. Sparks on 

 stack silage was appreciated by members and freely discussed. 



The secretary of the branch thinks it safe to say that in the near future 

 fodder conserved by this method will be extensively in evidence. 



Carditt. 



On 30th October Mr. W. W. Froggatt, Government Entomologist, delivered 

 a lecture on insect pests in the orchard. 



The lecturer showed by lantern slides the various orchard pests, 

 explaining their habits and the best mode of destroying them. Mr. Froggatt 

 fully explained the ways and means of combating the peach tip moth. 

 Several growers had questions to ask, mostly referring to the flying fox and 

 its destruction. Some suggestions as to the destruction of the flying fox were 

 made by members, and were mostly regarded by Mr. Froggatt as worth trial. 



At the annual meeting of this branch, the following office-bearers were 

 elected for the ensuing year :— Chairman, Mr. E. Rowe ; Vice-chairman, 

 Mr. H. Walker ; Treasurer, Mr. J. Cockburn ; Hon. Secretary, Mr. A. Barratt. 



The balance-sheet showed a credit of £14. Ten new members were 

 enrolled. 



Cotta Walla. 



A lecture on maize growing was delivered by Mr. H. Wenholz, Inspector 

 of Agriculture, to the members of this branch on 28th October. 



The value of maize as a fodder crop and for silage purposes under the local conditions 

 was pointed out. It was desirable that a short seasoned variety should be selected, and 

 Hickory King and Learning were mentioned as the best varieties for the purpose. The 

 advantages of the stack method of making silage (as recently described in the A ricultural 

 Gazetts) were referred to and preferred for the district as against pit silage, the heavy 

 rains usual in the district being liable to get into the pit and damage the fodder. No 

 doubt it was considered that the district was somewhat high for growing maize for grain, 

 but there were varieties that could be used for the purpose. In cold districts it could be 

 used for horse feed, being most valuable for hard work in cold weather; indeed, it was 

 the best grain known for conserving body heat and energy. 



Early preparation of the soil would give the best results with maize in this district; 

 the land should be ploughed before winter, cultivated in the early spring to give a good 

 seed-bed, and the seed sown in October or November. Feeding down maize with sheep 

 before harvest was a common practice in maize-growing districts, and on the coast pigs 

 were sometimes allowed to harvest the crop. Rotation was impor ant as a means of 

 maintaining soil fertility and leguminous fodder crops were particularly valuable. 



Cunningham. 



A meeting of the above branch was held on 7th November, when a lecture 

 was delivered by Mr. H. E. Laffer, Viticultural Expert. The lecturer was 

 closely followed in every detail, and all present highly appreciated the advice 

 given and the very clear manner in which the subject was handled. 



