FARMING NOTES

Bay of Plenty Beacon, Volume 2, Issue 115, 26 January 1940, Page 3

FARMING NOTES

USE OF FEED BARLEY PRODUCTION OF PIG MEAT Contributed by C. R. Taylor, District Organiser, East Bay of Plenty Primary Production Council. Department of Agriculture. As has been advised by the Hon. Minister of Agriculture, considerable thought has been given to the question of supplementing pig foods so .that dairy farmers may bring their pigs up to baeoner weights more promptly and in greater numbers than has been possible hitherto. Beginning with the New Year a progressive falling off in dairy by-

products for pig feed always takes place, and this is usually met by the sending of pigs away for slaughter irrespective of their weights. This year some discretion is necessarjon the part of farmers to avoid the pork quota being applied too soon. Farmers Avill be well advised, both

from a cash return viewpoint and in the national interests to keep porkers as long as possible and bring : them up to baconer weights. Therefore, it behoves the farming community to take advantage of the. offer of cheap grains for the purpose of fattening their stock. The Internal Marketing Division lias made arrangements for the importation of Australian barley in such quantities and at such prices as will enable farmers to purchase in 10-sack lots ex wharf at 3/1 per bushel —a reduction of -Id per bushel :>n last year's figure. Delay in Arrival. There is, however, likely to be a little delay in the arrival of the new season's barlev. In Auckland province the weather conditions necessitate early attention to supplementary feeds. Therefore, the Interna) Marketing Division have agreed with the Department of Agriculture to release from Auckland stores immediately for purchase in minimum 10-sack lots a quantity of barley at 3/4 per bushel, sacks in. In this way farmers will be assured of continuity of supplies for some weeks. There is not a great deal of barley in stock in New Zealand at the present time, and while it is expected to be sufficient to carrv over until tlie new season's arrivals, farmers generally are requested to place their orders early in 10-sack minimum quantities. Auckland merchants have accordingly been instructed to accept these orders on the -basis of 3/4 per bushel. Dual Purpose. If Auckland district farmers take advantage of this unusual opportunity it Avill serve a. dual purpose of protecting them for continuity of suppli.es of barley in the meantime, and clearing the stores to make room for the shipments arriving later from Australia. The only additional charge which the farmer will have to bear over and above the 3/1 per bushel, sacks in charge will be the cost of cartage to rail and rail charges to country stations. Tt is imperative, if farmers desire to take full opportunity of securing barley at this low price, that orders Miould be immediately placed with merchants. Assisting War Effort. The production of pig meat of suit able grade and type offers farmers in this Dominion a very real opportunity of doing something worth while for the Mother Country in her hour of need while at the same time furthering their own interests. We have been asked to increase production in eve it way possible for it is abundantly realised that to wage modern warfare successfully "butter'" as well as guns is of paramount importance. In this connection it is interesting to rccall the age-old saying that "i'An Army fights on its Stomach." This statement is not, of course, intended for literal interpretation but to emphasise the truth that without good food in adequate quantity an army is useless no matter how well equipped it might be in regard to guns and ammunition, etc. Hence it becomes our plain duty • 'o make every endeavour to see that the troops in the field and the workers engaged on the home front are

sufficiently nourished and clothed to enable them to prosecute the war to a successful conclusion. The price of failure in the struggle we have embarked upon does not bear thinking about—it is too fright ful. It is therefore well to remember that no contribution we can make in the direction of gaining our objective is too small. Ponder the proverb, "Little Strokes Fell Giant Oaks,'* and carry on —its worth the effort. VEGETABLES CARE IX HARVESTING ONIONS Early-maturing onions, and onion types such as potato onions, shallots and garlic, must be watched for the first signs of maturity, which is indicated by a slight yellowing of the foliage and a falling over of the stem just above the bulb. If the weather is moist and they are not taken up at this stage, new growth soon starts and the keeping quality of the bulbs is impaired.. This especially applies to early varieties and to the potato onion, which, at the best, is not a good keeper. When taken up, the bulbs may be left on their sides for several days on the ground where they grow, so that their roots and stems may dry. In small quantities it is often practicable to place them on a path, where they will dry better. Generaljv, only a small quantity of these onions is grown. The condition of the shed where onions are stored is of great importance. Cool temperatures and dry, airv conditions are essential, Early onions and potato onions aie not good keepers, and will seldom keep for more than five or six months. Shallots and garlic will keep if conditions arc suitable for nine months or more. Those who grow potato onions are advised to retain the small bulbs for planting next May or June. SPRAYING POTATOES AND TOMATOES Both potato and tomato crops are liable during warm, humid weather to attacks by the fungus Phytophthora infestans, producing late or frish blight. The blight is first noticed as small black patches on the leaf or stem which, under favourable conditions of warmth and humidity, rapidly extend until the whole jplant is blackened. The spray to use is Bordeaux mixture at the strength of (see accompanying paragraph on preparing Bordeaux) .

Prevention is better than euro. Where the disease is expected, it is i ■wiser to spray before the blight appears. and to maintain a coating of Bordeaux over the entire aboveground portion of the plant by repeated monthly sprayings (more frequent if the weather is humid), using a fine spray. Spraying must be done, in line "weather so that it dries on and sticks to the plant. There is little chance of curing plants which are badly infected. If potatoes are badly blighted late in the season spores will wash down into the soil and infect the tubers. To prevent this, the tops may be removed and destroj'ed, and tubers being dug within a week or two, before new growth makes its appearance. HOW TO MAKE BORDEAUX MIXTURE. The strength of Bordeaux recommended as a preventive spray is —that is, 31b copper sulphate, lib lime (freshly slaked), and 50 gallons of water. Proportional quantities of the materials are us?d when smaller amounts of the spray are required. Thus, if 1 gallons of spray are required, 4oz copper sulphate and soz Pi me are used. The copper sulphate is dissolved in water in an earthenware or wooden vessel, the lime is made into a paste with water, and the two chemicals are diluted considerably and mixed. The volume is then made up with the required quantity of water.