FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 2722, 16 May 1906, Page 20

FARM AND STATION.

(Continued from page 9.)

LOCAL 1. ANB P. NEWS.

Tho milk-testing competition to be held in connection with the approaching winter show should prove both interesting and instructive. It is open to farmers or their sons or daughters. Xo entrance fee is charged, and competitors will be supplied with a Babcock tester, thermometer, acid, glassware, etc. Mr J. A. Kinsella, the Dairy Commissioner, will be the judge, and Mr H. V. Fulton, the Otago A. and P. Society's secretary, will supply intending competitors with all information required.

Poor threshing yields are reported from Hillend this year, in comparison to the average (says the "Clutha Leader). Where farmers have been lucky enough to get their mill work over, the returns have not been exciting. Xhera is still * quantity

of stuff in the stook, but it' is so far keeping well. The Southland News learns that several farmers lost heavily by the recent floods. One who had his grain in stook lost his entire crop, and is now faced with ruin. It is stated that Mr Morrison, one of the^ new settlers on the Edendale Estate, has received no less a sum than £S6O for his crop of tubers grown inside an area of nine acres square. Some idea of the manner in which the completion of harvest has been prolonged may be gleaned from the fact that on one threshing mill in the Gore district the hands have- made £6 each for a seven weeks' pilgrimage, and on another £5 for a six weeks' tour.

There is no doubt (says the Clutha Leader) that winter feed for stock will be very scarce this winrer. Turnips, taking the crop all over, are not nearly an average crop. Although the backward weather has delayed the stacking of grain very considerably, the Clutha Leader learns that the grain is not discoloured nearly so much as might have been expected. The yields, however, are disappointing. Lakes district farmers have been Tiighly gratified at the prices (4s to 4s 3d) obtained by their barley, which is a considerable advance on previous years' values. A farmer who has been in the Southland district for over 40 years says that he has never experienced a viler season than tie present one, not excepting the watery 'visitation of four yearo ago. Another farmer who sowed 200 acres in wheat and oats harvested 100 bags of wheat. The cats did not produce enough to {five a horse one feed. -. . At the Kaitangaia Magistrate's Court last week Robert Penman sought to recover £50 front F. Field for the lo?s of the greyhound Captivity, alleged to have been shot by the defendant. » The defenoa waa that Field had been annoyed with dogs trespassing on his place and disturbing his sheep, and that the law allowed a landowner in such cases to shoot dogs. — Decision was reserved. The Lake County Press is informed that Mr T. Houston, of Lower Shotover, had the highly satisfactory yield of 57 bushels of barley to the acre. The barley is known as the Tasmanian barley. The Clutha Leader states that Mr John D. Landels, who returned to the colony last week from a visit to the Argentine and the Old Country, has a high opinion of the Argentine, and believes that a straightgoing, capable fellow with good introductions can get on well over there. The Oaimru Mail understands that a local firm has imported a considerable line of Australian potatoes, for seed purposes, doubtless with a view to avoiding the blight next season.

From sheep farmers who were in Oamaru on Saturday the North Otago Times learns that snow fell heavily in the Upper Wantaki early last week. Most of the sheep have been brought down on to the low country, but those which had not been so attended to would probably suffer a good deal. The Western Star states that a farmer in South Riverton has for the past three months been losing a number of his cheap in a mysterious way. As- they were running in bush country he at first thought that they had become lost. A diligent search, however, has failed to discover their whereabouts, and he has now come to the conclusion that they have been stolen. The ordinary monthly meeting of the Tokomairiro Farmers' Club was held on the 3rd inst.. Mr J. M'Leod (president) in the ohair. The Chairman said that at last meeting a sub-committee was appointed to report on the most advisable method of making the winter show as attractive as possible. The committee was appointed to interview the leading business people of the district, at.'d he called upon the members to report. Mr Henderson said tha 'cmmittee had considered that it was advisable that the various local industries should be represented. The Bruce Woollen Mills Co. had contented to exhibit, also the Bruce Horticultural Society; Messrs M'GiU, Bruce Coal Co., the Potteries, Mr E. B. Jones, and Messrs M'Skimmingr and Sons would no doubt also exhibit He considered that, independent of the agricultural exhibits, there would be an interesting display.— The Chairmnn remarked that members would have to consider the question of altering the date of the show. It ha-d been stated that, consequent on the lateness cf the season, there was not sufficient time to work up the show. In order to make it a success it would be better to put it back. Considerable discussion ensued, and eventually it was resolved that the date of the show be fixed for Wednesday. June 20.— Stewards wore appointed for the various classes, and the aneeting closed. The annual meeting of members of the North Otago A. and P. Association was held on the sth inst. Mr W. Milne presided, and over 100 members were present— a record gathering. The annual report was taken as read. — The President expressed his pleasure at seeing suoh a large attendance of member?. The membership was small considering the population of the district, and he was hopeful that the present attendance indicated an increased interest on the part of members, and that an enlarged membership might be looked for. The report and balance sheet were adopted. — The sub-committee appointed to report on the subject of the purchase of the new grounds reported recommending the association to purchase the land known as Mr Hedley's paddock, contain inor 34 acres, more or less, for the sum of £2200. providing Messrs C. W. Reid and W. Gardiner's negotiations were successful. _ Mr Nicholson moved— "That the association purchase Mr Hodley's paddock." The motion was carried unanimously amid loud applause. It was also carried that the incoming committee be empowered to sell the present ground. Mr T. Little moved a hearty vote of thanks to Messrs Reid and Gardiner for their generosity in purchasing the r.ew ground. The motion was ceconded by Mr Baird and agreed to, all in the room rising and cheering the gentlemen named. Mr Gardiner returned thank?, assuring the meeting thai, he and Mr Reid had taken action not for honour, but for the sake of the district and the chow. He congratulated the members on having acquired a- very fine property. Mr C. W. Reid also returned thanks briefly. — The following- office-bearers were elected for the ensuing year : —President. Mr W. W. Wylie ; vic^-president. Mr C. W. Reid : treasurer. Mr G. Brownlee ; auditors, Mpwh G. M. Bruce and H. F. Gibson. Voting papers for the 12 vacancies on the committee wore then distributed. The nominations numbered 57 in all. The voting resulted in the election of the following: — W. Gardiner, jun., T. Little. D. Borrie, G. Livingstone, J. O'Biien. W. Milne. J. Donaldson, Jas. Roid. W. Gardiner* aen^ i At MaOfiherson^ W. Cowan,

] and J. B. Taylor. The vote was the T ' heaviest on record, some gentlemen receiving over 50 votes each. A sample of wheat grown at Hawea • (says the "Crom well Argus; was sent"to~dnfe • ! of Hie largest flourmillers in Dunedin, and ' on examining the eamwle the manager' stated that he had bought 30,000 bags of ! wheat, and in all that quantity there was j nothing better, he was certain, and prob-,J ■ ably very little of it -equal to the sample.' j We have thousands, of bags of such wheat 1 at Hawea Flat, and tjje best price is 2s a bushel for it. If the farmers could get *. 3s a. bushel for wheat five times the ' quantity could be grown, but at the present ' j price it is working for a bare living to ' J grow it. j j There are still some oat crops remain- ' I ing uncut in the Waikaka Valley (says the ' I Mataurp Ensign), as, indeed there are all ; over the district. Farmers, however, regard ! the uncut crop -ac -safer than that wnich

has baen standing out in .the stocks^ for some time, owing to the grain in the latter having begun to sprout. If fine weather should set in soon much of the uncut grain will be caved in moderately good condi- | tion. i During the past week (reports the Alexandra Herald of the 9th inst.) the weather ' has been of an inclement nature throughout

,th© Central Otago districts, heavy rains , having fallen continuously for the last 10 days. In consequence, thereof the Molyneux rose rapidly, whilst all the creeks and __ gullies were in heavy floocL 'Several falls' of snow occurred on the. higb country, but ] as very little frost has set in the enow is gradually melting- and keeping- the rivers up. Previous to these rains the country was in soro need of • wet weather, but had J it come a month or 50 sooner there would not hare been a scarcity of winter feed, ; and stock would have- been at its highest ■ value. Given a few days fine weather, ' ploughing operations, .will be in full swing,and the ground will be more easily tilled. Lakes distriot farmers (says the South-

: land Times) have been highly gratified at the prices (4s to 4s 3d) obtained by their barley, which is a considerable advance on 5 pievious years' values. The reason is disclosed in the fact that northern supplies

have been all snapped up by speculators for shipment. In this connection the Marl- ' borough correspondent of a _ contemporary } states: — "The grain market is quiet, praci tically all the bailey having been disposed .of by farmers. One firm of merchants alone ' took over 22,000 sacks, all for shipment 1 to Australia, and then cleaned Nelson up.

j Up to 5s Id was paid to farmers, many ! getting the maximum price. About a ' dozen of the fortunate once have taken a 1 trip to the Old Country, «evera.l of them being Crown tenants from the Starborough , Estate, whioh speaks well for 1 the success I of that settlement." ) Writing on the 9th inst. the Fairfax correspondent of the Western Star i-eports : . ''Three weeks of continuous rain, a few

partly threshed, a few partly stacked, a j lot in stook, and a large acreage to cutsuch is the state of the weather and tfie 1 harvest in Southland. In a great many cases those who had partly stacked had to undo the stacks and restook, and in" doing co were overtaken by more rain. These who have- not cut are in come instances considering whether or not it is j worth rutting, the gram being nearly all \ threshed_out by the terrible hail and wind etorms we have had. In many cases there arc areas of from 100 to 120 acres of. wheat v. ith not a sheaf stacked, and in all cases the stooks are not only vet, but sodden and growing, rendering it quite impossible with the muggy and occasional showery weather we are still getting to dry them. It is really lamentable to eoa the splendid crops yet uncut, ana flattened and rotting v- sth th-e weather. Stock are also sufferi.i^ through tlie sodden state of the ground. Turnips will be short, as no.v the tops arefading the bulbs can be seen, and through the paddocks not being cleared the stubbie cannot be taken advantage of." At tho Winton Magistrate's Court on Wednesday last, before Mr S. E. M'Carthy, S.M., Harold J. Phillips, charged on the information of Inspector Wright with having r ailed to clear Canadian thistles from the lands in his occupation, did not appear. He had been previously convicted, and was fined £5 and costs (7s). Margaret j Flanagan, similarly charged, was also convicted and fined £5 and costs. The Tuapeka. Mouth correspondent of the Clutha Leader reports:— "There is still a considerable quantity of grain to cut in Tuapeka Wc3t. It is indeed very disheartening to see fine crops of grain wasting, and I feel confident that if the weather does not take up there will be very little grain fit for milling. I understand that a number of Greenfield settlers are | not going to thresh all their crop at present, leaving the larger part until spring, when the grain should be much harder. The price for grain is at present not very encouraging to the farmer." In the Tokonui district (writes the correspondent of the Southland Times) a quantity of oats are etill in the stook, and likely to Temain there if the weather does not greatly improve. The district does not go id largely for cropping. The settlers grow no more than they require for their own use. It the Otara district a considerable area was cropped, and in th* majority of cases the settlers had ,good results, getting their oat* in in first-class order. They are now awaiting the chaffcutter, as they are all short of horee feed. The turnip crops are very erratic this year. On some farms they are a complete fail#>-e. Near at hand fair crops may he seen, and perhaps in the next paddock there is a tip-top crop. Among these I notice a fine, eren. regular crop on Mr John M'Kenzie's property on Lower Otara. Tho following extract is taken from an article in last veek'ij Winton Record: — "The weather for the past month must have been r cart-breaking for farmers with grain still out, and their chances of ever securing the same must, with tho shortest day only five weeks away, be extremely small. The season right through has been an exceptionally bad one, and it is indeed doubtful if there has ever been such a bad one before in the history' of Southland: Wo do not think we are over-estimating it when we state that there are quite _as majvy acres now in stook or still standing uncut as there are in stack, and, from what experienced practical farmers sayv there must be a great deal of what is in stack that has been put in before it was properly dry. To state that at least onehalf of the grain grown in the Western district this year will bo damaged grain ■would be estimating the damage very much below the true facts of the case, and were wo as a province dependent upon ol;r grain, a bad time must have been in store for us this year. However, the resourcefulness of Southland will again come to thp reisue, and jjae jjooji jaxiiss being

obtained for wool, mutton, and prime beef will puli the farmer through. The ne\gf settlers in Southland wiH fate the woTsti and all sympathy must, be- extended toJ , them. Mariy" of them -have- com© fromf Canterbury, and have been tempted away from that more genial climate by reports that our climate had completely changed! during the. past few years.;-" As one of them has been heard to remark^, 'If this is am. improvement upon what, you Southlanderst used to have, what on earth was your; climate like a few years ago?'" The Mataura Ensign states that a"« - reversal ro primitive methods of farming ,wast , compelled by the recent bad weather.' -In the Balfour district, owing to -its beingfound impossible to work a reaper -,ancß binder on the heavy, sodden ground, sssicsttl^ sattlers cut portions of their crop witlt the scythe, while others; again employed- the now -obsolete back-delivery reaper. --" Farmers are- naturally" keeping a .Keen' on the movement* of the. oat market; ' (cays Saturday's Southland Times), as tho shortage consequent on the -bad weathen will be serious. Quito' a number of farmers have given up all hope of saving their crops. In the Balfoiir, Black Swamp, and Cattle Flat districts there are fully 500 acres of oats still , uncut, but the stooks arc keeping fairly well. The bad season, has been very unfortunate for 'this jdistnet, as part of it is newly settled by Canterbury farmers, and their first season's experience of .-Southland -has .. nofc^bee-n , s=i* enviable one*. As to prices rulingr locally, one farmer was offered 2& Id on tracks at InveveargiU. Most of the' buying ii being done by two- Invercargill firms., tho others looking aslcance at the "prices demanded. ' The much-despised rabbit is- responsible for providing a large amount of labour every "trapping season, and a ,emall army of men find lucrative . employment in capturing and preparing bunny for export. - Large consignments are despatched daily from almost every station and siding in Southland, and the number handled duringa season must run into some .millions.. -This at 4d and 6rl per pair represents a tidy sum for distribution.— Western Star. To take, coala to Newcastle i& ordinarily I looked ' upon as the height of folly, andl ' to bring potatoes to Oamaru — the centre of potato growing in,, the colony — would in the 6arae way be looked upon as reok- \ lessness. But, notwithstanding this (reports Saturday's North Otajio Times). Tasmanian. potatoes have been brought to Oamaru, tho Poherua landing 221 sacks yesterday morning. The potatoes are a fine sample. and are faid to have been landed here with j a profit to the importer. The shipment, is ! not likely to demoralise the potato market, but it indicates that there is a limit to the advance in the price of potatoes. The Waipiata corresoondent of the Taieri Advocate writes : —"Harvesting is over for another season. Tho majority of the grain ciops were good, but turnip crops are ye«ry poor indeed, owing to the very dry weather during the latter part of the summer and autumn. There have been a few nice showers lately, but it israther late to do much good now. Owing to tho scarcity of winter feed, farmers have to sell stock that thoy would otherwise keep, ' but prices of. both cattle snd sheep are low iust now. Rabbit-trappers-are only doing fairly well this season, the | ground being too dry for settinar the traps easily. Prices have risen to 6d pei pair this month." The following notes from Edendalo arcs supplied by the correspondent of the Oremiki Advocate: — "As a consequence of tho • bid weather, the milk supply has greatly diminished during the last month. Tho Edendale factory is only putting through 2400 gallons daily; Mataura Island, 650: and Seatvaid Downs. 400- A.cca-v6lina to Mr John Sawors, manager of the Edendale factory, there is not another area in NewZealand Tof the some dimensions that can support a greater number of herds or produce a greater quantity >of milk than the? Edendale district. The present price paid ! hy the factory is equal \o Is per ib butter fat, and the other factories in the district will pan out about the same to their suppliers. All the dairy factories are worked on the co-operative basis, otherwise suppliers would be receiving anything between 8d and lOd. Very few farmers havo sold their output yet. and huvers of <atg are at present travelling the district offering 2s a buihel for discoloured samples. Few sales have been effected as seller expect them to go up to 2s 6d yet. Tho average yield for the season is turning out about 65 bushels to the acre. This is a low average for the land, and ifc is questionable if there has been a larger area, under cultivation than on former years. Very few havo gone in for potato-growing. Mr Joseph Lawrence, who took up an area on the edge of the Kamahi Bush, put in eight acres of Up-to-Datcs. a id produced 80 tons, -which were snapped up by a northern buyer at £12 a ton. Settlers wl« put in {•mall areas for th&ir own use ar« meeting with dishearten iner r-esults owing to their neglect to spray with the Bordeaux mixture or pickle their sets before planting-. Turnips are evidently going to run to a premium. As hierh as 3d per week is offered by sheop-farmeis for tlie right t<* graze 6heep on turnip paddocks • and thcro are few on offer at that price."