GENERAL FARM NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 1, Issue 19, 17 October 1907, Page 2

GENERAL FARM NEWS.

Our Feilding correspondent states that Mr A. G. iSimms, Government Fruit Expert, who lias just returned from Tarauaki.fi'statos that the weather lias considerably damaged plums and peaches. The effect^has fortunately not boon so sorer on apples. In many cases trees were left without any foliage. • The egg-laying competition, which Mr. AV. Hughes, late of Otaki, and now of Norsowood, Hawke's Bay, is promoting, promises to become an established fact. It is proposed that tho competition shall commenco on May 1, 1908, and last for six months. It will- be open to the whole Dominion. The first prize will be £100, second £20. third £10, fourth £5. Mr. J. H. Rcid, head shepherd to Mr. James Bell, oF Weld's Hill station, near Blenheim, has this week moved to Dannovirko to bo head shepherd to Mr. Bower Knight. Although Mr. 11.I 1 . N. Foster, of Starboro' Station, near Scddon, sheared Inst yoar 1600 less sheep than in the previous year, his clip weighed eight tons more. This (writes our Wajrarapa correspondent) is a good testimonial in favour of understocking. "In spite of tho thousands of rabbits wo kill every year," says a noted rabbit catcher, "I believe tho animals arc increasing. They appear to have no diseases among them. The only thing of that kind that I have noticed is occasional inability to pass the young. I have in many instances found does.containing a full litter of young, and also ono or two members of a previous litter, dead, of oourflo, aud packed away in tho inside."

Sir. G. G. Stead, of Christchurch (says a Press Association message) has just imported from England two thoroughbred colts and two fillies bred from some of the most famous English racing stock. Following is a list of the imported stock: —Bay colt Charlemagne 11, 3 years, by be. Simon—Porfect Dream; brown filly, Lady Wayward, 2 years, by Ladns—Vane; bay filly, 1 year, by Ormo —Ilcy Presto; bay colt, I year, by Tarporley —Maybird.