10 Jan., 191G.] Fanners' Field Da;/, Piutherghni. 



19 



Agriculture, Mr. Hageltliorn, had been unavoidably detained at a 

 meeting of the Wheat Conference. It had been the Minister's intention 

 1o have been present and explain what had been done in reference to 

 the handling of wheat during the present season. The Minister would 

 have been delighted to have met so many residents of the district. It 

 was a big question that the Minister was detained on, and he (Mr. 

 Bowser) trusted that the deliberations of the conference would be to 

 the general benefit of the producer. He had pleasure in calling upon 

 Mr. Eichardson, Agricultural Superintendent, to explain the programme 

 of inspection. 



Mr. A. E. y. Richardson, Agricultural Superintendent, stated that 

 be had pleasure in welcoming the visitors on behalf of the Department 

 of Agriculture. This was the third annual field day held at the farm, and 

 the attendance showed that a big interest was being taken in the work. 

 Since the last field day, two rainfall records had been established. 1914 

 was absolutely the driest season ever recorded — only 4^ inches of rain 



Portion of Crowd assembling at Woolshed on Field Day, Rutherglen 



State Farm. 



fell in the growing period. 1'his year was absolutely the wettest winter 

 experienced at Rutlicrgleu, as no less than 17^ inches had fallen in the 

 winter months. In one season the crops are starved for want of Avater; 

 in another they are flooded out. He thought that those who were present 

 two years ago would see that many changes had taken place. Since the 

 last gathering 5S0 acres of land had been cleared, and at present 860 

 acres of flic 1,100 liold by the College^ were now under cultivation. Dur- 

 ing the siiiiic |)(ii()d 8 miles of fencing had been erected, sluH'iwards and 

 woolsbcd l)uilt, and water storage and dams have been jirovided in each 

 jiaddock. During the ))res(Mit season 624 acres were soavu, consisting of 

 410 acres of sciil wlicat, 116 acres of oats, 47 acres of barley, 41 acres 

 of forage crops, wliilst 297 acres are devoted to pastui-e and 202 acres 

 \o fallow. Ill' u'onld ask \\\v visitors to acconi|>any him on ;i tonr of 



