FARM AND STATION

Press, Volume LXV, Issue 19715, 4 September 1929, Page 13

FARM AND STATION

By "Straggler."

CURRENT TOPICS. THE WHEAT AREAA run over most of the grain growing districts of North Canto bury [xompta the l>elkf that the area in wheat will be less than last year. The extent eannot be approximately estimated, but the number of straw stack 3 to be seen in uuploughed fields indicate that a fairly substantial area in wheat last season will be demoted to some other crop this year. It is now too late to work ground for wheat, particularly in North Canterbury, and in ad .lition to this a good deal of the lower lying ground a few days ago was still on the wet side for working. Doubtless the strong nor'-westerly blow of Sun; ; aj and Monday will change this condition, but north of Waipara anything from Jin to 4in of rain fell during the recent break. Doubtless a good proportion of the uncropped land will be devoted to rape and turnips, as Ln the proximity of the hills the periouie.il showers provide a fair assurance of successful results. The main cause of the wheat reduction was the very broken weather in July, and to a more or less extent in August, tillage operations being continually interrupted, but the uncertainty regarding the wheat duty is a factor of no small impotance. Confidence in the industry is not likely to bo established while the Government so readily listens to every little North Islander who is out on the warpath after votes. The wheat crop last season was worth over three millions of money, and if the importance of pro ducing this wealth is not realised by the parochial vote catcher it should be by those who are responsible for the conduct of the State's affairs. The country is not in such an affluent condition that it can afford to import this value of produce every year, and unless a stable and adequate protection is maintained it will have to be imported. However, autumn sown crops are showing up fairly well, and with the saturation the soil has received it only needs a week or two of summer like weather to give.them a great fillip. Unfortunately the Grief spell of sunshine came to an abrupt termination. THE LAMBING. Lambing is now in full swing on the Plains and down country, and from individual reports that are coming to hand losses are light. The wet, cold weather of a week ago caused some mortality among newly-dropped iambs, and the present burst must inevitably take some toll. There have been occasional stretches of warm weather that provided ideal conditions, but on an average the season has been only mod erately favourable. Judging by the number of twins to be seen in the fields there should be a satisfactory lamb crop. The ewes had the benefit of good autumn and early winter feed, and have entered the lambing stage in good order, and all that is wanted to ensure goodsized drafts off the mothers for the works is a eessatiou of the frosts and a movement in growth. The latter is very late this year, and there is * general barenesi of feed.

THE HIGH COUNTRY. The blanket of snow to be seen on the ranges points to severe conditions having been experienced on the high country. It is some years since the hills have been carpeted in September to such an extent, and there is a general agreement that the fall of last week was the heaviest since the record one of 1918. From Porter's Pass up to the Hanmer high country it varied up to sft in depth. Fortunately it did not extend far back, and the rain and nor'-westers should speedily effect a clearance, with, however, a correspond ing danger of floods. Though snow raking has had to be resorted to in parts, reports do not indicate stock losses to any extent. The sheep are well down off the high places at this late period. The present burst of stormy weather, however, may change conditions for the worse

A BBITISH BEEF BHORTAGE. On the authority of Sir W. Haldane, Britain is in 'or a beef shortage very soon. He has written three articles, entitled "The Fall of Beef Imports," "The Menace of Disease," and "Thinking Ahead." In the first one he points out that Britain has up to now got tO per cent, of her beef supply from the Argentine. But the number of oattle slaughtered in the Argentine in 192S was 12i per cent, less than in 1927 Much of this was actually frozen beef which goes to the Continent, but evM ' allowing for that, there was a decrease of 18 per cent, it the imports to Britain. From January to April of this year the imports to Britain are down 8 per cent, in weight, and slaughtering in South America is down fully 15 per cent, from the same period last vearT Such reductions are very rapid. The census «r «t the "ttle pop* lation of the Argentine show that there has been a decided shrinkage The numbers in 1922 seemed so great that the supplv seemed inexhaustible, but the meat war which ended a little over a year ago, when various competing companies were flooding the markets with beef below cost, seems to have badlv drained the Argentine supplies. Other reasons for this drop are that wheat and corn are more profitable, and to grow them many of the finest and richest pastures have been broken up. Secondly, losses due to the disclosure of the prevalence of foot-and-mouth disease and the consequent restrictions put upon export Side bv Britain to prevent its import „ chilled meat, and, thirdly, that in many sections sheep are replacing cattle, being more profitable. FOREIGN BEEF SUPPLIES. Sir W. Haldane proceeds to state that it is evident that people with in terests in the Argentine's stiple indus try «re seriously alarmed for the quality as well as the quantity of future exports. The decrease in the number of steers purchased by the chilHn* plants in 1928 was oao,lfa2 and the weight 26* pounds per head less, yet the average price of steers purchased on the estates was 163.50 do'lars per head at compared to 142.00 dollars (Argentine money. Is 9*d) in 1927. The probable permanenee of the shorter supply of Argentine beef is shown by the fact that there is a great increase, in the number of "she" stock both cows and heifers, slaughtered. The shrinkage in supplies has increased the cost of handling so much that several of the large freezing stations are closed down and others may follow. Further, Sir W Haldane p 'its out that shortly the Dnited States will wan a large percentage of what is left and he quotes President Hoover as saying on his visit t* the Argentine, "that with the |

rapidly increasing population and food pressure it will be impossible for the United States to continue their refusal of Argentine bee-V and he stated that in three years even the terror of foot-and-mouth disease would not bar its entry. Australia, says Sir William, has a shrinking cattle population, it having gone down 20 per cent, since 19-2. and her own consumption is heavy and her cattle not up to the standard of those of the \rgentine. Her meat, too, would have to be shipped frozen and not chilled. The only source then at present is the poor beef from Brazil. Sir William does not mention Canada, assuming, no doubt, that the United States will take all that Dominion s supplies. Canadian writers, however, have not much faith in the States as a pen neut outlet, and would sooner supplv a market free of changing and heavv tariffs. Under present conditions" New Zealand cannot expect to participate much in relieving this poten tial shortage—it has not the right type, even if there were a local surplus—but the position suggests that the scarcity and consequent high priees of beef may stimulate increased lamb and mut ton consumption. This is where the Dominion would bene.it.

BUTTER-FAT AVERAGES. A review of butter-fat averages from several Friesian studs in Southland makes rather impressive reading. They are as follows: No. of 8.-f. cows. average J Prquhart (Tisbury . 5 440 R. H. Dickie (Mataura) .. 3o 397 A and R. Udy (Wyndham) 48 368.6 W. Young (Otahuti) . 50 329 The first-named return is claimed as a record for New Zealand. FARM LECTURES.

A CANTERBURY SERIES. The lectures conducted by the Agricultural Department in Canterbury for ten days, and hich concluded on Friday, were very much appreciated by farmers, in the various districts where they were given. Mr R. McGillivray, Fields Superintendent for the northern half of the South Island, Mr E. B. Levy (Government Agrostologist), Mr J. W. Hadfield (Agronomist at the Palmers ton North Plant Research Station), and Mr E. J. Luk.y (Government Veterinarian) were the lecturers. Mr Mc Gillivray discussed the manuring of crops, Mr Levy pasture management and the necessity of liberal fertilising if rotational grazing and the best re suits were to be obtained and the depletion of the soil prevented, Mr Had field crop certification and the necessity of eliminating disease from potato crops, and Mr Lukey stock diseases, particularly those affeeting ewes and dairy cows. The lectures were keenly followed by attendances ranging from fair to good. At some of the nine centres in the itinerary the attendances were affectel by the flooded conditions of the rivers and the fact that sheep-owners were on back properties as a result of the snowfall or engaged in connexion with lamb ing. However, at others the attendances were distinctly good. At Wai mate, where the series commenced, 125 farmers turned up, at Temuka 48, at Ashburton 50 (including school pupils), Darfield 21, Amberley 41, Cul verden 22, Cheviot 47, Rangiora 25, and Oxford (where the fall of snow affected the attendance) 38. CALLINGS FOR BOYS. A NEW ORGANISATION. The object of the Boys' Rural Vocational League, which has been formed in Christchurch, is to bring boys into close contact with the primary and secondary industries, and bo assist them to make a more intelligent choice of a life calling. In detail, the several objects of xhe League are as follow: — (1) To foster au interest in farming pursuits, suburban and rural, by visits, lectures, and, where possible, actual participation, and to increase the number of boys making farming their vocational choice. (2) T« investigate the possibilities o£ settling boys on the land in such a way that their training may be satisfactory, and their prospects if starting on their own later on reasonably good (3) To bring about a better understanding t>ctweer» lown and country. (4) To show by lectures and visits exactly what is inr-olved in the more common trades and industrial [rocesses, that the choice among these may be made more intelligently. (5) To investigate the possibilities of em ployment and advance within the secondary industries of New Zealand (6) To foster greater self-reliance and initiative and thrift among our younger citizens. (7) To help toward the solution of unemployment problems, by guarding against casual and "blind alley" employment among boys. A meeting of the executive was held on Monday evening, the members of which (Messrs A. A. McLachlan and E. 0. Barker) conferred with Mr M. E. Lyons, representing the Canterbury A. and P. Association, Mr H. Chapman, representing the Canterbury Chamber of Commerce. Mr R. T. Bnilev, representing the Labour Department, and Mr A. J. MeEldownev, representing the Y MC.A. and the "Rotary Club. Mr McLachlan, who is the promoter of the movement, states that the object is to study the best means of plating boys on *he land and in industry, so that their future was, as far as possible, assured. '' Experiments had already been attempted, and there was no chance of any non -deserving boy receiving the benefits offered. As soon as any boy showed signs of larrikinism or indifference he would be dropped, and another would step into his place, so as to ensure that merit alone would entitle him to the regular course it is hoped to institute. It would be necessary to charge a small fee for membership, and boys woald be obliged to keep proper notes of all visits and lectures. Mr McLachlan added that a number of donations hnd been promised to the funds of the League, and that many farmers had evinced a very keen interest in its future operntions and had offered all assistance. Assistance had also been offered by the Farmers' Union.

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MACKENZIE COUNTRY.

IMPROVING GRASS LANDS. NATURAL REGENERATION. In the August issue of the New Zealand Journal of Agriculture appears an article by Mr R. McGillivray, F.L.S., Fields Superintendent, Department of Agriculture, Christchurch, in regard to the grass lands of the Mackenzie Coun try, and the progress there of the natural regeneration and experimental sowings in that territory. The Early History. The article observes that when one examines the present state of large parts of the flats and lower hills of this region, and visualises their condition in the early run-holding days of seventy years ago, the retr spective view brings into prominence the very serious deterioration that has here taken place within comparatively recent times. The Mackenzie Country was early occupied, and considerable burning of the runs took place from about 1860 onward until' the early "seventies," by which time much of the work if Na ture. extending over untold years, had been damaged, and in many cases ie stroved. During the late "sixties" rabbits appeared and further aggravated the position, but they did not become a very serious pest until about 1877. Their onslaught on the native pastures then commenced in earnest, and depletion of the warm sunny faces and flats was soon in progress, especially where fire had already laid bare tracts of the country.

The Extreme Conditions. In considering the position one has to remember that in these inland regions the climate is one of extremes. The frosts of winter give place in Septem ber to drying winds, with a normally high day temperature until the late autumn. Indiscriminate burning of the vegetation, overstocking, and the rabbit pest have all contributed their quota towards the nakedness of mufh of the country to-day. Conditions such as described, together with the natural aridity of the inland plains, plus scorching sunshine on the baked surface, have not afforded seedling plants an isy opportunity to reassert themselves and thus reclothe the depleted areas. The prevailing climatic conditions cannot, however, be held primarily responsible, for the decline of the native pastures, because even in the localities where depletion is seen at its worst native grasses are reappearing with the retreat of the rabbit pest. This fact is indisputable, and its significance is of more than passing in lortance. It has been pointed out by some observers of the inland native grasslands that the soil now drives out much more rapidly than it did formerly, and that ariditv has greatly increased within comparatively recent years. That the soil is drier than ormerly—in other words, that it has lost its moisture retaining capacity —cannot be gainsaid, but the cause is not far to seek. With the disappearance of vegetation the former water-holding capacity of the soil has gone, with the result that the sparse rainfall is not retained, but mostly runs away into the natural watercourses. The dry belt extends up to slightly over the 2500 ft level, and on the more exposed situations serious depletion extends eve. beyond this elevation.

It is unfortunate that there are no definite records of the progress of events that have led up to the present state of the Mackenzie Country, and still more so that remedial measures were not taken at an earlier date. A certain amount of useful work has been done in connexion with regrassing, however, and it may be of interest to state the position as it appeared to the writer during several recent visitß to the region. To return after an absence of eight years, and to find instead of a still further stage in grassland deterioration a considerable improvement 1 in many parts came as a most pleasant surprise. The rabbit pest is not now in evi--1 dence as it was in 1921, and Nature is at work in quite a remarkable manner, native grasses reappearing where the land was practically bare ten years ago. In many parts the scabweed is thickly studded with vigorous younq plants «.f comparatively recent growth. The native blue-grass, blue-tussock, poa tussock, fescue-tussock, and wild-Irish-man are to be found in seed in places where formally depletion reigned supreme. These grasses appear to. re assert themselves readily with the. dis appearance of the rabbit, and regenera tion will take place over large areas now that conditions are more favour able for plant'growth. The sheep returns reflect the improvement that has taken place, disclosing a healthy in crease in the flocks. In 19SJ the num ber of sheep in Mackenzie County was 455,888, while in 1928 the number had risen to 548,781, an increase of 92,893 in six years. Progress of Experimental Areas. The activities of the Department of Agriculture in connexion with regrassing work in the Mackenzie Country commenced in 1910, under the direction of Mr A.' Macpherson, then Fields "Instructor at Christchurch. Several areas were fenced and plots sown with vari ous grasses and other plants thought to be suitable for the prevailing climatic conditions. The areas at Whalesback and Haldon are still under the control of the Department, and during a recent visit a careful examination was made of the introduced vegetation of these areas, also of a sowing that was made on the dark faces of Gallows Hill, Haldon, during September, 1921. This sowing has done remarkably well, and cocksfoot, yarrow, Poa pratensis, and some perennial ryegrass plants are in good healthy condition, despite the fact that sheep depasture on this block all the year round, and that at times the stocking is extremely heavy. Sowings made, at the same time on the warm sunny slopes of the same run were * successful. The Haldon experimental area was tablished in H9IQ, and various sowings were made at intervals until about 1915. and again in the spring of 1920. The plots that are showing up well are cocksfoot, tall oat-grass, Por pratensis. Chewings fescue, yarrow, awnless brome-grass, lucerne, brown-top, she 's burnet, and, in places, white clover. The Whalesback area shows a most interesting growth of English wild white clover. This was sown in 1911 and now covers several acres of land In places, in association with Poa pratensis, and in other parts with yar row, it has formed a splendid sward which completely covers the soil. Zigzag clover was established in 1924 on this area by transplanting a few plants grown from seed received from Canada The growth has been prolific, and it promises to be quite a valuable variety 'or the inland plains. Cocksfoot, tall

■ aasss " ,3 oat-grass, sheep's burnet, various fescues, brown-top, red-top, and yarrow have all made good growth. An extension of spring surface-sowing of the dark faces of the runs with cocksfoot, brown-top, yarrow, Poa pratensis, crested dogstail, and white clover seems to present opportunities for work along lines that promise to be highly successful. The surface sowing at Gallows Hill has certainly been successful, and this work is now more likely to have general success than formerly owing to more favourable general conditions. At Burke's Pass, the portal of the Mackenzie Country, is erected a monument to the discoverer of the Pass, on which is an inscription exhorting all intending settlers to plant trees. This is sound advice, and though some afforestation work has been done, especially near the Pass, suitable shelter belts across these upland plains are still urgently required. Besides being of incalculable benefit to both man and beast,, they would also afford shelter to tße vegetation, and hasten the day both of the regeneration of the native grasses and establishment of exotie pasture.