BETTER TIMES AHEAD

Press, Volume LXXII, Issue 21726, 7 March 1936, Page 24

BETTER TIMES AHEAD

PASTORAL COMPANY’S

REVIEW

FARMERS’. PROSPECTS

A very cheerful survey of pastoral conditions the world over is supplied in the monthly review of the Australian Mercantile, Land, and Marine Company, Ltd. It states that in almost every "branch oS rural activity in the Commonwealth there are signs of better times. After a long period of trial some of the land industries are rapidly approaching a state of prosperity. The change that has come over the country because of the better outlook is amazing, particularly in the grazing industry, . .. Current wool prices, the review proceeds. have been very satisfactory to all branches of the trade. As the end of a heavy selling season draws near the demand for wool appears to be as keen as ever. Pat sheep, from lambs to aged animals, have been selling at remunerative prices for some time, and the promising outlook encourages the belief that all sheep are good property. There are grounds for confident hopes that the clouds of depression which have long overhung the cattle market will soon be dispelled. A steady development of the beef export trade to Great Britain is expected. Side lines such as skins, hides, and tallow are selling well. Even rabbit pelts are in exceptionally keen demand. Although perhaps not yet more than barely remunerative, wheat prices have advanced substantially from the average of 12 months ago. There is a good demand for dried and canned fruits, and the fresh fruit trade has improved to some extent. In addition, increased production of gold has brought new wealth to the country, and the basemetal industry, of great importance to Australia, is flourishing. By these observations it is not suggested that the road leading away from the depression has been completely traversed. No doubt setbacks will occur and the measures which were adopted to overcome recent difficulties may still need to be followed; but the economic conditions of to-day are in pleasing contrast to the conditions of a year ago, and the improvement in the wealth producing industries of the country

has stimulated enterprise and confidence in the city. In Other Farts Nor, says the company, is the change confined to Australia. Reports from New Zealand. South Africa, and South America indicate that the land industries in these countries are making similar headway. In Europe, where the effects of the depression have been harrowing to a degree difficult to imagine by people in Australia, it may be said that the fortunes of agriculture are at last “on the up grade." In North America there , has been a marked improvement also, and in the United Kingdom a change for the better for agriculture has been pronounced. The striking improvement which has come over the primary industries of many countries is, in the opinion of the company, perhaps the most encouraging sign of the times. Those farmers who are afraid that we are rushing into an. era of high prices too rapidly should have some of their misgivings relieved by the foregoing, English ,may be adopted as the second language taught in all high and secondary schools in Finland. Red-headed persons are said by a London specialist to make the most fuss in the dentisi’s chair.

KERRY HELL SHEEP, ■ . TO THK EDITOB OF THE PBKBS. Sir, —On several occasions recently, I have seen, statements, made in - the. newspapers to the effect that. Canter* bury farmers are,, not quite satisfied about the quality of their fat Jambs. II this is so I feel sure that this could.be quickly remedied if some Kerry Hill sheep were introduced to -that province. Kerry Hills "are a very old Welsh breed, the wool of which is of Down quality, the ram fleece being a good 50 s top, and that of the ewe up to SB's quality. As its name implies the Kerry is pre-eminently a hill sheep, but it is also wonderfully adaptable, reconciling itself readily to radical and even violent changes of treatment and environment They would clip as much, if not more wool per acre than the Romney. of a much higher priced wool. Considerably more Kerries could be carried to a given area, as they are far hardier than Romneys, and the ewes are much better mothers. As to quality of mutton there is simply no comparison, Kerry Hill mutton and lamb being amongst the most sought after in England. For crossing purposes the Kerries are ideal. It may be asked, if I am such a strong supporter of these sheep why I do not import some myself? But I have never gone in for breeding stud sheep, and having stud and run Hereford cattle, and latterly Polled-Herefords, I find that at my time of life they are sufficient But I have no hesitation m saying that the man who is the first to introduce Kerry Hill sheep to New Zealand, if he imports the best, and handles them right, will reap a golden harvest and his name will be remembered for all time as a public benefactor. May I ask why we should try to force one breed of sheep, such as the Romney, a lowland one, to adapt itself to every class af country, in, the North Island, when most of the land is second and third-class? Messrs Morris, Marshall and Poole, of Welshpool, Wales, are the secretaries of the Kerry Hill Plockbook Society.—Yours, etc., G. P. MOORE. Bushy Park, Kai Twi. RECORD PRODUCTION CANADIAN FRIESIAN ACHIEVEMENT

Springbank Snow Countess, a pedigree Canadian Friesian cow, has just completed an R.O.P. record at 15 years of , 8821 b fat from 18,9911 b milk, giving her l 6 consecutive records that total 90621 b fat from 207,0501 b milk. No other cow of any breed anywhere in the world has ever produced as much butter-fat in any number of lactations. . She mede an outstanding record every year except in her ninth lactation, when she was handicapped by serious illness after dropping twin

calves, but was kept on test in order to keep her lifetime record unbroken. Springbank Snow Countess has had five sons, and six daughters. Five of these daughters have cbmpleted one or more records, and Springbank Snow Countess and her five daughters have records averaging 829.31 b fat. Her highest daughter’s record is 9541 b fat. STUD SOUTHDOWN SALE The competition for the Southdown ewes offered at Addington market on Wednesday, on behalf of the estate of J. C. Clarkson, and also those from Mr D. Chapman (West Eyreton), indicates that there will be a good demand for the breed at the forthcoming ram and ewe fair. Very satisfactory prices were realised, and there was a complete disposal. The sale was conducted' by Pyne, Gould, Guinness, Ltd,, in conjunction with Dalgety and Company, Ltd.

Discussing the increase in the use of lime in North Canterbury in recent years a prominent sheep farmer told “Straggler” on Thursday that he now annually used up to 50 tons of time, with super, for top dressing. Last year it was not a very payable business on account of the very dry autumn, but he anticipated that the loss faould be more than recovered this season, which should be an ideal one for top' dressing. This particular farmer was one of the many who some years ago considered that in such a limestone belt as North Canterbury liming was unnecessary. However, he was persuaded to give the practice a trial, and the next season he got his lambs away a fortnight earlier than his neighbours, and he had never got them away better. That satisfied him, and he has been a consistent topdresser ever since.

,_AOTBMN ' The following are the dates of the North tod Mid-Canterbury ewe fairs . lOt: 11(86:*-* . >.,4» -* C‘ v March 9—laitUe ’Rlvto March Iftn-Waiauv 1 • MarchlZ—CulverdCn. - % March 16—'Hnwald. ' . March 16— Kaikoura (ram and ewe). Mitch 17—rSheffleld. _ (ram). March 23— Oxford. “ March 24— Coalgate. March 27—Bak-da. , . April s—Waiau Supplementary Sale. April 7— Culverden Supplementary Sale. «

SHOW DATES

March 14—Mayfield. March 14—Cheviot March 21—Temuka and Geraidinc. March 24-r-Amuri. at Waiau. March 27— Hawarden. March 28—Methven. April 2 Country, at Pflfrlifi April 16—Malvern, at Sheffield.

A total of 65.000 ewes was offered at the two fairs in North Canterbury and at the Addington market this week.- Next week there will be three fairs in the northern part of .me province—at Little. River_on Waiau on Tuesday, and on Thursday, In addition, naturally, t the Addington market on Wednesday. A particularly heavy entry of ewes will be forward at, Addington, vendors who, have been held up by the weather in the last fortnight lines forward. The Culverden tavc.is generally the biggest of the senes i in the matter of entries, so that this week’s offering should substantially exceed that of last week.

Although the prices paid for old ewes are sometimes considered very high, this depends a good deal on the class of. ewe. A pen sold at the Hawarden fair on Thursday provide? a case in point. Two years ago_tne line-one of the standard North Canterbury drafts of four-year-olds—was sold at the fair at Us 9*l The buyer of a good number took .two lambs off them, brought them back to the fair on Thursday, and quitted them at 235! Prices two years ago were down at bedrock, the draft actually making the top price of that fair for four-year sheep. Such a happening would scarcely be possible on to-days s prices of 30s or more. ,

Mr James Campion, owner of the well-known Okirae Station, Wanganui, his died at Wanganui at the age of 83 years. When his father died Mr Campion took over responsibilities on the farm, ■ Rauraai Station, Lower Bangitikei, where he was born. Mr Campion played a big part in developing New Zealand’s fat lamb trade, and was one of the first and most ar-. dent advocates of the SouthdownRomney cross. His faith in the belief of the quality of that type‘of lamb to satisfy the British consumer has since been amply proved. He was one to whom breeders and farmers generally looked, for advice, and later on he became a director of the Wellington Meat Export Company, a position he held for many years.

“A Talk on Mozart” is to be given by Miss Lettice Loughnan, A.R.C.M., In the Tbeosophical Society’s Hall, 267 Cambridge terrace, to-morrow evening, at 7 o’clock. Illustrative music is to be* contributed by? Mlss Loughnah (piano), and Miss Evelyn Edgar (violin). The public are cordially invited.