JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume LXIV, Issue 13131, 2 June 1908, Page 8

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

According to the "Ashburtoa Mail** although feed in the Ashburton county is fairly plentfiul, stock havo not much improved in condition. Of some 3000 sheep and lambs penned as fat at tho last Tinwald sale, very few lines were prime enough for freezer-. That is attributed in a large measure to the partial failure of the turnip crop and other finishing-off feed. Judging by the yardings at the sales during the past month, there are more aged and inferior breeding ewes in the county at the present time than there hay« • been for several years past.

About two years ago, Mr R. A. Forbes, on his return from a visit to Tasmania, brought back with him a quantity of the celebrated "Gem of tho South" potatoes. It is claimed for these potatoes that they are absolutely blight-proof. Last year's yield was very satisfactory, but this year, notwithstanding the unfavourable season, the yield has been phenomenal. Our Tai Tapu correspondent was shown the yield from a patch of ground measuring roughly, one-third of a square chain. Tho ground was literally covered with magnificent tubers, and 9J bags of potatoes were found to be tho yield. This works out at 285 bags, or nearly > 26 tons to tne acre. The ground was not subjected to any other than the ordinary treatment. Most of the potatoes were of unusual suse and of a very healthy appearance. *