JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Press, Volume L, Issue 14917, 16 March 1914, Page 4

JOTTINGS FOR FARMERS.

Entries for the Canterbury A. and P. Association's Ram Fair close with the secretary to-morrow. An improvement re'ating to tho sale of stud rams has been made this year, for stud rams will Ik> sold in a ring, ar.d accommodation will be provided for buyers.

A Feilding message states that Mr Jusbo, a wealthy agriculturist, from Buenos Ayres, visited the High School Boys" Agricultural Camp, on Mr Ernest Short's estate, Almadale, near Feilding. He gave an address to tho boys, and after investigating the work they were doing, ho said he had a ison at the Washingcon Agricultural College, in America, but the work being dono at Almadalo 'ivas much more thorough and valuable than that at the American College.

The committee of the Waimate A. md P. Association, Mr \V. F. Chevor* ton (president) in tho chair, fixed the annual rnin fair for April Ist. A subcommittee consisting of the president, secretary, and Messrs C. i'\ d'Auvergne and A. Garland, was set up to arrange the method of selling at the fair. In previous years there has been dissatisfaction through the auctioneer drawing first place selling all his pens of rams before auctioneer- No. 2 began. It is now proposed to adopt the Christchurch Ram Fair system of rapid rotation. Owing to the largo number of clearing sales and regular sales, tho date rejected for the iair is tho only ono available. Coming a day after the Timaru Fair, it should suit North Canterbury breeders.

Full advantage was taken of the perfect iveaihcr conditions which prevailed in the Ashburton district lost week, and the thrashing mills were busy in all directions. A lot of parting was also done, and hundreds of loads of grain were taken to the numerous grain shed* in the district. Many plough teams were also to bo seen at work in various directions, and a very large area of land has already ueen turned over. There was a somewhat sudden change in the ,vf«nther early on Saturday evening, when a stiff southerly breeze sprang up, accompanied by heavy banks of rain-charged clouds. Rain commenced to foil shortly after eight o'clock. Heavy showers fell during the night, and a steady rain continued throughout tho whole ol" yesterday. It will have a most beneficial effect in freshening up tho grass, and will nlso be of great benefit to tho root