Oct 2, 1920.] Agricultural Gazette of iS\S.W. 759 



Woonona. 



At the fourth annual meeting the report showed there are 163 financial 

 members on the roll. There was a credit balance of £71 Is. lOd., which 

 should take some beating. There were twelve meetings during the year, 

 at each of which papers were read or a discussion on some agricultiiral topic 

 took place. There were also a general show in January and a flower show 

 in April, each event being an educational, financial, and social success. It 

 was decided to have a two days' show in January next, and pi'epai'ations 

 are already being made. During the latter part of the financial year 

 co-operative buying was entered into and iU8 bags of chickvvheat were sold 

 to members at a considerable reduction on local store prices; 115 fruit 

 trees were also sold to members at cost ptite. An extension of these opera- 

 tions is expected, and any other branch that has produce to sell /might 

 communicate with the secretary. It is intended to start experimental plots 

 locally. 



Much of the success achieved by this branch has been due to the untiring 

 efforts of the retiring Secretary, Mr. Henry Coltman, and the Treasurer, 

 Mr. G. Fowler. 



Yarramalong. 



The usual monthly meeting was held on 8th September. After the general 

 business had been disposed of, a distribution of sped was made among the 

 membei's, and a discussion took place on its cultivation. 



Yarrunga-Avoca. 



At the monthly meeting on 26th June; after the general business had been 

 dealt with, Mr. W. S. Smith, manager of the local butter factory, gave a 

 very interesting demonstration of milk and cream testing, for which he was 

 accorded a hearty vote of thanks. 



The monthly meeting was held on 24th July, when a general discussion 

 took place on the buying of manures. It was decided that no advantage 

 would be gained by doing this for the time being. 



The Treasurer, Mr. Starkey, gave an interesting lecture on first aid to the 

 injured, for which he received a hearty vote of thanks. 



At a meeting on 28 bh August, a discussion took place on the cost of pro- 

 ducing butter on an average farm in the district. The figures for one local 

 farm were presented, which showed that with a property worth £1,834, cattle 

 £412, horses £48, machinery, &c., £89, total £2,383, the annual charges 

 altogether were £407 16s. 8d., made up of £104 3s. interest on capital (£15 

 being allowed for house rent), £13 7s. depreciation, and £290 6s. 8d. labour 

 for 580 days at 10s. per day for eight hours. If incidental receipts of 

 £28 2s. 9d. were deducted from the £407 16s. 8d., there would be left 

 £379 13s. lid. against the 3,135 lb. butter produced, whereas the actual 

 receipts for butter were £226 lis 8d. This farm was thus- working at a loss. 

 and the farmer should get at least 2s. 6d. per lb. for his butter if he were to 

 make his place pay. 



It was agreed that other farms in the district would double the above sum 

 with the same or even less labour. 



