ON THE LAND.

Ashburton Guardian, Volume XXXV, Issue 9122, 23 April 1915, Page 8

ON THE LAND.

SHEEPFARMERS' SERIOUS

OUTLOOK.

LITTLE FEED' AND LESS ' itffeui

LATED ■ STORAGE

BIG PRICES FOR TURNIPS

THE PLOUGHMAN'S TROUBLES

The shortage of insulated* space is being seriously felt by sheep-growers in. the Methven district. It is reported that there are ready for freezing thousands of lambs which farmers are being compelled to retain. The stock of winter feed, which is being eked out, is rapidly diminishing, and the growers are at their wits' end to know what to do. Of course, so far as Methven is concerned, more feed is available than in other, centres, but the scarcity is bad enough at all events. . Those 'farmers . who are fortunate enough to possess good crops of turnips ■■ are being besieged by stockraisers to X sell,'and are even asked to make their own pricey Several sales have "taken pkce in the Methven district, for instance, and at the very good price of £6 10s per acre. One district farmer was yesterday- offered £7 per acre for his crop. In one of the cases,: where a sale was made at £6.108j an extra good run^off of about 200 to 300 acres was given. Man;? County farmers . are .finding that the work of ploughing is being seriously retarded on ; account ; of, the dry weather making the ground very hard.- When the ploughs are put in the soil turns up in Large, lumps, and great strain is put on ,the horses. Certain farmers are getting : over the difficulty by calling in the aid of a traction engine. The Thompson Bros., who are farming a piece of country on. the road to Methven, just beyond Winehmore, are employing a tractor, which is turning over eight furrows at the one time. They reckon, to plough 16 acres per diem.