THE FARMER.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume 1, Issue 91, 24 April 1880, Page 2

THE FARMER.

CO-OPERATION AMONG FARMERS, It is only when we are young ous (remarks “ A Farmer,” in the Evening Mail) that we can expect to make the best of our golden hours, and reap such a return for our labor that when the time comes that we can work no longer we are at least above the necessity _of so doing. Are oar farmers doing this % Are they securing for their heavy labor and anxious hours the full reward that they are entitled to 1 Do they not, by selling their grain in the way they do, lose what to them would make the difference between a bare subsistence and an actual profit 1 It is apparent that they do not realise the utmost profit that they should. It is clearly in their power .to secure to themselves the actual profit made out of their produce, and yet year by year they go on neglecting the proverb ‘ ‘ That Providence helps those who help themselves.” Why they should longer continue to do so is inexplicable, unless they believe more in the fatally mistaken saying that “ What is everybody’s business is nobody’s business.” Surely there cannot exist any disturbing element which would prevent the formation of a farmer’s co-operative grain exporting company. I certainly know of none. The bulk of our farmers, from the very nature of their avocation, are sturdy, intelligent, hardworking men, quite as capable of understanding and dealing with any practicable subject as any other body of men in the world, and yet year by year they have been going going on selling in the nearest market, though they knew full well that it was not the best market. I now suggest that such of our farmers who desire to see this question properly discussed should send in their, names and addresses to me, at your office, when I shall call a meeting in Oamaru, by circular and otherwise., - When gathered together, the farmers can appoint a chairman and at once discuss, first the necessity for, and then the method gof working out this important subject. In a multitude of counsel their is wisdom, so that without doubt a'ready solution of all difficulties will be arrived at, and the farmers of Oamaru, happily united for their common weal, will at once take their stand, as a body of men who spare no legitimate means to secure the highest returns for their labor. As the prosperity of our port and city depends entirely upon the prosperity of our farmers, every rightminded citizen will rejoice to see them combining for their common good, and from one and [all most hearty good wishes will attend the formation of a Farmers’ Go-operative Grain Exporting Company, whose successful career must beneficially influence the future prospects of the port, city, -and district.

WATERING HORSES. The Berlin Militar Zeitung printsan interesting paper on the "watering of horses, a subject, the writer remarks, to which too little attention is given. by officers in command of mounted troops, and on which very erroneous ideas are entertained by many. The practice of allowing horses to drink only once a day, and then in the evening—a custom which is advocated by many because it is in vogue among the Arabs —is strongly reprehended by the German writer, who points out that while in horse’s ration consists almost and hay, the Arab gives his horse dates, a variety of plants, and even milk. Fed as they are in European armies, horses should, the writer maintains, be given water three times a day, and they should be allowed each'time to drink as much as they like. On the march, also, horses should be allowed to drink whenever circumstances permit. Formerly men on the march were strictly forbidden to drink; but now, on the contrary, especially when forced marches, haveto be made in hot weather, care is taken that they shall be able to obtain water, as it is now recognised that the body must be compensated for the moisture it loses in profuse perspiration. As with the man, so with the horse.

How to Kill Insects. —Mr. Lazardi, a French scientific agriculturalist, has, the Farmer says, discovered that soils infested with wire-worms, grubs, ants, and other insects, may be completely freed from these pests by simply sewing them , with buckwheat, allowing it to grow until it flowers, and then ploughing or digging it in as green manure. The manner in which the buckwheat accomplishes its work of destruction is not a little singular. Its leaves are spongy, and it decomposes very quickly after being dug into _ the ground. In the course of decomposition it gives out much gas, and this gas asphyxiates all insects in the ground. The variety known as Tartary buckwheat is found to be the best for the purpose ; and as M. Lazardi states that he has now practically proved the success of his. recipe by several years’ experience, English agriculturists may try the remedy with every hope of finding it effectual ”