GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 3, Issue 818, 16 May 1910, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

SHEEPFARMEES' CLAIMS. At Masterton to-morrow Mr. P. Hally will liokl a Conciliation Council to ileal with the ' dispute between the Wellington sheepfarinors and shearers. The dispute was filed by the employers, and includes a claim for a reduction in the shearing rato from 20s. to 17s. Gd. a hundred. Assessors have been appointed in the case. It is understood that similar claims are being presented by slicepfanners in the other industrial districts.

The prospects in front of the Hawera Dominion Dairy Show are excellent. The entries for the; dairy section closed on May 10, and tiro principal factories in tho colony aro all represented. Applications for space have been received from the principal dairy appliance manufacturers in the Dominion, and every available inch of space will bo occupied. The interest being shown in the first Dominion dairy show at Hawera is remarkable,, and points to success. The inaugural show is to be held in July.

The registration of wool bale brands was discussed at the meoting of the Masterton branch of tho Farmers' Union on Saturday. Mr.'G. R. Sykes mentioned that ho had heeu reliably informed that wools were purchased at various colonial wool sales by dealers or speculators who classified them into various tops and subsequently placed them on the Homo market in bales marked ' with popular brands, with inferior brands of wool in tho mMdlo and more lustrous wools at tho top and bottom of the bales. This was a dishonest practice, which had a damaging effect upon the best brands in tho Dominion. Mr. J. C. Cooper endorsed the remarks of Mr. Sykes, and 'it was resolved that a remit bo forwarded to the Provincial Conference favouring tho registration of wool bale brands, or, in lieu thereof, legislation which would- compel brokers to specify in their catalogue all dealers' and speculators' lots.

A committee meeting of the Masterton A. and P. Association was held on Saturday, when a financial report was presented showing a debit balanco of .£1122. The Ground Committee reported that all buildings had now been removed from the old showground to the now grounds at Solway, where re-erection had been commenced: Draft plans of she<>p-pons and cattle-yards were submitted and approved, and it was decided to proceed at once with the erection of the same. It was decided substantially to increase the size of the produce hall, and _ increase the number of horse-boxes. Tho meeting passed a resolution of regret at the demiso of King Edward. VII, and adjourned further business.

It is stated that last week at Upton Pells Station, Marlborough, a LcicestcrjMerino owe, which had probably not been shorn for three or four years, was brought in, and a fleece taken off it weighing no less than 391b., and with a staple 13iin. in length.

The results of the second week of the New Zealand Utility Poultry Club's laying competition at Papanui are to hand. The grand total for the fifty-four pens from the opening of the contest is 1252 eggs, of which 701 were laid in the second week. The following are the leading pens, with tho number of eggs laid by each since the opening day:—-Mr. G ll■ ■Robinson's black Orpingtons, 52; Mr. T. Kennedy's silver wynndottes, 51; Mr. C. H. Robinson's white leghorns, 51; Mrs. R. W. Hawke's white leghorns, 47; Mr. R. W. Hawke's vrhito leghorns, 44; Mr. James Thomson's white leghorns, 42; Mr. 11. JF. Bannehry's .white Plymouth rocks, 42; Messrs. Verrall Bros.' white leghorns, 42; and Mr. J. W. Bradley's whito leghorns, -10. In tho ducks, Mrs. f. M. Ritchie's Indian runners lead with 32 eggs, Mr. AY. Knight's Indian runners are next with 21, Mr. W. A. Nixon's third with 18, and Mr. T. Dowthwaitc's fourth with 9. The other eight pens have nothing to their credit so far. Tho recently-formed Stratford A. and P. Association lias purchased 35 acres of freehold property, level and well grassed. ■ The Agricultural Department intends issuing a new leaflet afcian early date dealing with "a new and effective winter spray for .fruit, trees.

In applying artificial manure (says an exchange) difficulty is often, experienced in'estimating the.riulit quantity to apply. Supposo the drills .are 24in. apart, if manure is given at the rale of lib. for CI yards of drill, it equals lewt, per'acre. Thus to give a dressing of 3cwt. of superphosphate per acre tho manure should bo applied at tho rate of lib. for every 21 yards.

During tho past few weeks- large quantities of oatsheaf chaff have been carted into Ashburton. The demand is reported to be fairly Rood, but chiefly from sources outside the province.

Several changes have taken place at Rongok'okako,' Ekctahuna, recent!} , . Mr. Beasley lias disposed of his farm to Mr. Elliott, of Kaitoke. Mr. Kobertstbin lias sold out to Mr. Lomax, of Hamua. Mr. A. Hughan has sold to Mr. Warren, of Ormondville. Mr. Beasley intends to settle in Queensland.

The Rongokokako cheese factory is advancing '9d. per lb. on butter-fat for April supply. Tho amount to bo distributed totals £480.

Arrangements have been made for the opening of a cheeko factory , at Canvastown, Marlborough, from . the beginning of next season.

Blackberry has obtained a great hold in Taranaki. A Woodvillo settler, who has just returned from a visit to Taranaki, says ho saw dozens of farms that wore made almost worthless with it, and the owners wore indifferent and doing nothing to eradicate the pest.