Mar. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.SM. 225 



Lidcombe. 



This branch shows much activity, the meetings being well attended. On 

 15th and 29th December meetings were held at which show business was 

 transacted. On 10th January the members visited Mr. H. J. Rumsey's 

 property at Dundas, and had an instructive time. On 12th January a well- 

 attended meeting was held, when a paper was read by Mr. Lawrence on 

 vegetable culture. Hints were given on a formidable number of vegetables, 

 special mention being made of the necessity for good methods of manuring, 

 rotation of crops, and the preparation of the seed-beds, 



Lisarow. 



A meeting was held on 6th December, twelve members being present. 

 During the evening it was decided to compete at the Gosford Show for the 

 district prizes. 



On 3rd January a further meeting was held, when ten members were 



present, and arrangements were made for staging the exhibit. Discussion 



also took place on various railway and postal facilities that were required 



by the district. 



Lower Portland. 



A meeting was held on .5th January, the attendance being somewhat 



restricted owing to inclement weather. The flying-fox pest was discussed. 



March. 



A meeting was held on 19th January, eight members being present. After 

 the general business had been dealt with, a useful and helpful paper on fruit 

 packing by Mr. H. V. Howarth was read and discussed. 



Middle Dural. 

 A meeting was held on 9th .January. The question of pool-buying was 

 considered, and a discussion also took place on the experimental work being 

 ■carried out in the district by the Department. 



Milbrulong. 



A meeting was held on 5th January, when the sugar shortage and its 

 effect on jam-making and fruit-preserving were discussed. It was decided to 

 take steps to secure a sufficient quantity for local requirements. 



A plot of 4- acres was offered by Messrs. Lynch Brothers, for the purpose 

 of establishing experimental grass plots and accepted. A debate took place 

 on the subject of wool or mutton for the fanner. A library has now been 

 formed in connection with the branch. 



Miranda. 



A ta meeting held on 17th November Mr. R. N. Makin, Inspector of 

 Agriculture, gave an interesting and instructive lecture on the growing of 

 legumes and other plants for the feeding of stock. The lecturer spoke at 

 some length on the growing of lucerne, and showed the advantages derived 

 from soil inoculation, explaining that if a patch of lucerne was not doing 

 well, it might be greatly improved by spreading a small quantity of soil 

 from a patch that was giving satisfaction, and harrowing it well in. 



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