GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1115, 1 May 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Fourteen shillings a pound is oifered for 31b. of farmers' fresh butter at the Manawatu and West Coast A. and P. Association's National Dairy Show. The money is to be given as first prize, with twenty shillings as second prize, and ten shillings as third prize. In addition, there is a silver challenge cup of 12 guineas, to be won three times. Tho entry fee is only 2s. for members an d2s. M. for non-members. Tho premiums are the largest offered in the Dominion, and a big competition is expected from all parts. A_ postcard to tho Secretary, Paimerston North, will bring a copy of the prize list and details of the many other valuablo prizes offered to farmers.A Timaru Press Association telegram states that the lato rain, followed by a few warm days, has made tho country quite green again. Frosts have now se't in. For sheep feed the otitlooU is not bright, as tho turnips aro practically done already.The number of sheep put through the Waingawa Freezing Works is 100,000 to date, '.'.'his number will be considerably increased before the end of the season. The works aro to be kopt going on halftimo until well into June. Tho grass seed threshing machines on Banks Peninsula have been taking advantago of the fine weather and are re-thresh-ing the straw heaps and paddocks that were supposed to have been threshed very clean with tho flail, and aro getting good results, in fact, most of the farmers who had grass seed this year have re-threshed, some with the flail getting as much as thirty or forty bags. The high price of seed has been the inducement to undertako tho second threshing. Tho following report will be submitted to the sixth annual meeting of members of the Olago Farmers' Union Mutual Firo Insurance Association to bo held in tho Chamber of Commerce Hall ou Friday, May s;—"The sixth year has been the best the association has had. Only ono firo occurred during the year, with the result that the association's reserve fund has now reached a very substantial amount, it having been considerably augmented during tho year just closed. The total insurances' at tho balance date were ,Cll!),01G, which is a gratifying increase on the previous year's total, although not anything like the total those taking a deep interest in the welfare of the association would like to see. Our ngents in the various districts are doing good work and the directors appeal to all farmers to assist them in their efforts by recommending their own association and by supporting it loyally. Owing to tho continued success of our business, the directors have now decided to recommend to tho incoming directors the desirability of still further reducing tho rates. Our rates aro well under those of outside companies, and with the support we have reason to expect, it is hoped from time to time to reduce rates as the- volume of business warrants it being done." (By Telegraph.—Press Association.) Masiertqn, April HO. The Wairarapa "Age" publishes interviews with tho manager of tho freezing works, leading breeders, nml a grader, which show that lambs of poor quality have been exported from New Zealand during tho past season. A demand is madp for a better system of grading, or tho institution of grading by the Government.