FAT YEARS.

Press, Volume LXI, Issue 18460, 14 August 1925, Page 8

FAT YEARS.

FRITITS OF THE EARTH. MINISTER COUNSELS PRUDENCE. (special to "the PKSS.") WELLINGTON, August 13. The annual report of tlio Department of Agriculture gives a review of the experiences of tlio past year. Tlio Minister states that although the present -position in connexion with the realisation of our staple exports is satisfactory generally < prudence, foresight, and economy on the part of farmers is called for. Tho necessity for studying the quality of produce, and reducing costs of production, ho adds, is as great as ever. Surplus income in food times should be applied to reducing liabilities. Only in this way can lean years be met with comparative security. The Rabbit. The Director-General reports that the position in regard to rabbit infestation shows a distinct improvement. Good work has been done in Marlborough, and a marked improvement has taken place in Canterbury. In the North Island generally rabbit destruction has been well carried out. In Otago, however, the commercialisation of the rabbit ia,proving a great deterrent to the efficient and thorough carrying out of rabbit destruction. This is deprecated oneconomio grounds, and the director suggests that the matter should bo seriously taken in hand. The Department paid 5s a beak for the destruction of 2916 .keas. This is 1107 less than last year. Many Branches. A high record of dairy production was attained despite some reversion from dairving to sheep grazing. Owing to insufficient rainfall there was a decline in cheese production in Southland. Tobacco growing is receiving consid-. j erable attention and 300 acres are now under cultivation. Eighty-dive thousand gallons of wine wore made, tho value being £34,000. Wine-makers generally are doing good business. The return from glasshouse-grown grapes is estimated at £32,000. Forty-five thousand gallons of cider, valued at £11,250, wero manufactured. Of honey, 10,836 cwt. was produced, tho value being £30,549.