JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13095, 21 April 1908, Page 4

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

The agricultural outlook so far as it concerns the North Ota go district (says the "Oamani Mail") is at the

present timo most promising, and given a continuance of the present favourable season, farmers should, do much towards retrieving tho losses imposed on them by the late unfortunate dry spell. Not only have tho recent rains rendered the ground suitable to allow of ploughing operations being vigorously proceeded with, but tho phenomenal growth of grass has enhanced, to a considerable extent, tho prospects for winter feed. In keeping, too, with tlie improved prospects for wintering, tho values of sheep have risen, and good prices are being realised. Horses are still in great demand, and command a price which is but a reflection of their usefulness at the present time in assisting in the preparation of the land for next season's crops.

A purchaser at the- sale of Laghmor estate, near Ashburton, gave £32 per acre for a farm. There was a crop of kale npon it, and he sold the crop for feeding purposes to a dealer for £4 10b per acre. He would no doubt be able to get a wheat crop after the kale was fed off, and, if lucky, with the grain crop, no would soon be. able to reduce im mortgage (remarks the "Farmers* Union Advocate"). This class of farming is practically independent of the wool market, and ' if the kale was well manured, would leave the land in good heart, even after a grain crop. There is no better farming in New Zealand than m South Canterbury. The farmers the,re understand tho climate, tho land, and its capabilities, and they make the most of thorn. It is by no moans certain that such land is not cheaper than lngber-prioed land in the North Island. They have the advantage that they can turn, out probably the be»x lambs exportou, and the lamb trade w aiio. cafoat. fttwl rn«et.;T»«wila. r

are more likely to fall than that for lambs. Wo Iwtvo scarcely any rival in the trade, except Australia! and their seasons are more variable than ours.

A feature of the Californian scheme of agricultural education is tho reading course for students in their homes. It ■was found that tho ordinary lectures did not go far enough, and the reading courses were adopted in. order to complete the system. Young men working ou farms, farmers, and orchardists tend the lectures, and aro invited to wTite letters on the subjects under discussion. These letters are posted to the lecturers, the students paying the postage. Standard text-books are lent to the students, who are thereby aided in their work during such hours as they may bo able to givo .readin". Ib is found, also, that trend use is made- of the bulletins., issued by the authorities of the Agricultural College.

Tho New Zealand Sheepbreeders' Associntiort* (North Island) have recently published their annual report and balance-sheet. Tho financial condition or the Association is highly satisfactory. Tho report recommends that tho Department of Agriculture be empowered to have all sheep for exportation inspected by some competent man, and that no sheep be exported unless pnssed as a good and sound representative of its breed. During tho year shields •vrero presented for competition for the champion ram in certain breeds, the competition beins; limited to flocks registered in the flock book of the Association. Tho shields are offered to the Auckland A. and P. Association for Shropshires, to tho Wairarapa P. and A. Association for English Leicesters, the Gisborno A. and P. Association for Lincolns, and the Manavratu A. and P. Association for SSuthdowns.

What saves New Zealand from the depression which the okler men romomber and fear (says tho "Farmers' Union Advocate") is that our risks are spread afar now, and although a serious fall in wool will bo very much felt in business circles ika- country will not be in the depths of despond it used to bo when such a low level of prices exited. The butter and cheese business, wbich affects so many farmers, shows no serious diminution of prires, such as usually takes place nt this time of year. Tho only danger is that in the drier districts the cows have gone, off much sooner than usual. If it had not been for tho dry season, this would have been a record ye?r for dairy folk; but, ne it ie, it will be somewhat under the averaio. It will have one advantage—it will draw the attention of dairy peonlo to the necessity of having some kin's! of feed ready for cows when the summer sun dries up their pasture.