Sep. 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of N.S.W. 681 



A number of pertinent questions were answered, and a hearty vote of 

 thanks was accorded the lecturer. 



A number of visiting members from the newly-formed Auburn branch of 

 the Bureau were cordially welcomed. 



A well attended meeting of this branch was held on 26th July, when it 

 was decided to fall in line with the Miranda branch in its movement to link 

 the various branches of the Bureau together. 



An address was givea by Mr. J. Peckham on potatoes, after which con- 

 siderable discussion took place, and a number of questions were asked. 



Lower Portland. 



A meeting of this branch was held on 5th July, the attendance being 

 rather smaU owing to the inclemency of the weather. The schedule of prizes 

 for the annual show to be held in 1921 was revised. 



A pruning demonstration was given on 13th July by Mr. Brereton at 

 Lower Portland, about twenty members being present. 



A lantern lecture was given by Mr. H. Graham Smith, Apiarist at 

 Hawkesbury Agricultural College, at the monthly meeting on 2nd August. 



The lecturer dealt with bees and their management, their utility in con- 

 nection with fruit-gi'owing, and their value as a side-line for the orchardist. 

 The treatment of honey and beeswax for market was also dealt with. 



At the close of the lecture a lengthy discussion took place on various 

 phases of bee-keeping, many questions being asked and answered. 



The annual reunion of the members was held on 30th July, but as the 

 night was very wet, only about eighty persons attended, all of whom, how- 

 ever, thoroughly enjoyed the amusement provided. 



March. 



At the July meeting of this branch Mr. S. J. Franks read a paper on the 

 manuring of the orchard. He advocated methods that would maintain the 

 fertility of the soil, especially the humus content, stating that where the 

 rainfall was sufficient the growing and ploughing in of green crops, like tares, 

 clover, cowpeas, field peas, &c., were what he favoured. There were many 

 kinds of artificial manures on the market, but none would meet all con- 

 ditions, and each farmer should conduct a few little experiments for himself. 

 In doing so three rows should be treated with each fertiliser tried, and the 

 results from the middle row accepted as the standard. 



Moss Vale. 



A pruning demonstration was given by Mr. H. A. Mills on 9 th July at 

 " Hill View," Sutton Forest, about thirty members being present. In spite of 

 the inclement weather much interest was taken in the demonstration, and 

 quite a number of questions were asked and answered. 



A lecture on sheep was given by Mr. Hinton, Assistant Sheep and Wool 

 Expert, on 15th July, befoi'e an attendance of twenty members. 



Mt. Keira. 



The monthly meeting was held on 6th July. After the general business 

 had been disposed of, a discussion took place on the subject of fertilisers, and 

 also as to the suitability of the disti^ict for jam making and the establi.shment 

 of a cannery, especially as regards blackberries, large quantities of which are 

 said to be wasted every year. 



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