Aprils, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 299 



young stock were handled, and any other information required. The feed 

 room was also visited and feeding and mixing processes discussed. The 

 remainder of the party, under the guidance of the Principal, visited the 

 piggeries, and finally the cattle sections, where a good view of the cattle and 

 of milking by machines was afforded. Afternoon tea marked the conclusion 

 of a very interesting and instructive day. A vote of thanks was accorded 

 the Principal and Mr. Lawrence. 



Kellyville. 



A meeting was held on 6th March when four new members were elected. 

 It was stated that the branch won the first prize, £3 3s., at the Castle Hill 

 show. The exhibit was afterwards sold at auction and realised £8 8s. 6d., 

 which sum was donated to the Parramatta District Hospital. 



Inverell. 



The annual meeting of the branch was held on 5th March, Mr. C. Lenthal 

 presiding. The secretary's report showed that the year had been one of 

 useful activity, valuable lectures, papers, and demons ti-ations having been 

 given. The balance-sheet disclosed a debit of £1 7s. 9d., which would be 

 covered when the subsidy was paid. The election of officers resulted thus : — ■ 

 Chairman, Mr. C. Ditzell ; Vice-chairmen, Messrs. C. Lenthal and W. R. 

 Fry; Hon. Secretary, and Treasurer, Mr. W. Kook ; Auditor, Mr. T. 

 Knapton. 



Lidcombe. 



At the monthly meeting held on 9th February, Mr. Finch gave a short 

 lecture on the arrangement and judging of flowers, explaining the different 

 points taken into consideration by the judge. There was a good display of 

 flowers for the monthly competition, and by using them for illustration Mr. 

 Finch was able to point out many mistakes which, once corrected, are rarely 

 repeated. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by acclamation. 



Lower Portland. 



At the meeting of members on 3rd February, a paper on pruning was 

 read by Mr. G. M. Blundell. The paper was much appreciated by those 

 present as setting forth practical experience, and it provoked a useful 

 discussion. 



March. 



A meeting of' this branch was held on 16th February. 



During the evening a paper on simple tests for soils and also dealing with 

 necessary plant foods was rfead- by the secretary, Mr. R. Parker. The 

 following extracts are taken from it. 



Necessary Plant Foods. 



There are thirteen essential elements of plant food, and, of these, three— nitrogen, 

 phosphorus and potash— are often deficient. Water supplies oxygen and hydrogen, 

 while carbon comes from the air. 



Nitrogen is the most important element, and this the farmer can add to his soil by 

 supplying humus. It comprises part of all green and woody parts of plants. If in- 

 sufficient nitrogen is present, provided the water is sufficient, plants tend to be dwarfed 

 and to lack vitality, while, too much nitrogen (the water content being the same) is 

 shown by excessive growth— note any old sheep camps. Hence all crops that are pro- 

 duced for their leaves— as cabbage, lettuce, spinach, rape, &c.— require a lot of nitrogen, 

 but in the case of turnips, beans, peas and other legumes, too much nitrogen produces 

 leaves and stalks at the expense of roots or fruits. '^ 



