GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

Dominion, Volume 4, Issue 1218, 29 August 1911, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS.

As showing tho poor condition of the | aged breeding ewes which were offered at tho Ashburtou market last week, it may be mentioned that a small line of eveca and lambs, all counted, after starting at Is., rose-to 2s. 10(1., at which price they wore knocked down. Several Forty-Mile Bush settlers intend conducting agricultural experiments during the coming season. Mr. B. Morriss, of Kongokokako, has already : arranged with Mr. G. ,de S. Baylis, Government' Fields Instructor for the North Island, to carry out an experiment with lucerne. At. tho first annual meeting of the Elcetahuna Cow-Testing Association, it was stated that probably over 1000 cows would be available this year. "Wo can look forward to tho timo when cows will bo sold on-their tests," said Mr. W. Elliott. "This will be e. very big benefit to the farmer who is compelled to go to tho market to make up his herd, and will ensuro good prices to the farmer who had good cows for sale." Tho valuo of the pumico laud? of the central part of tho North Island was the subject of discussion in the Legislative Council last week. Opinions differed considerably as to what could be done with this land. One section considered that tho lands were useless, whilst another section urged that they could bo turned to account, and would grow turnips, grain, gra.=s, and clover. Tho event of the week, says a. Southland report, has been the . decided advane* made in the cheese market, and several factories have sold their output at (id. per lb. on trucks. Many predict a further rise, but on the principle that a. bird in the hand is worth two in the bush, those factories which have sold have no doubt decided that it is better to accept a good thing when it presents itself rather than to wait in the expecta- , Hon of a further problematical rise, for markets aro mostly noted for their vagaries and uncertainties.

It is stated that a great number of horses in the Kangitikei district are affected by bots this season. Many aro looking poor and miserable, and numbers, says a correspondent, have died, most of tham suddenly.