GENERAL ITEMS.

Dominion, Volume 5, Issue 1533, 31 August 1912, Page 8

GENERAL ITEMS.

_ Lucerne land in tho Tamworth district | is selling at high value (says the "Pastoral ists' Review"). Twenty-four acres were recently disposed of at .£67 10s. per acre.' This properly lately yielded from one cutting forty-sis bags of luccrno seed, valued at over .£4OO, equal to about Jjiy per acre. - ' ■ The Dannevirke A. and P. Association has decided to abandon the suggested casein competitions at its show this year. Replying to representations from the association as to the institution of a casein test at the next' show, tho Dairv Commissioner pointed out the difficulties in the way of giving elfect to the request. The division's casein testing outfit was at present fixed up in a factory in Taranaki, where it had been working throughout the past season. In making the tests great caro was needed to ensure that tho samples were in the right condition, and it would therefore be necessary for one of the Department's men to be in attendance to collect the samples. If the plant could have been brought to the show it would have been quite 1 an easy matter to have assisted the asspciation in the direction desired, but this was not practicable. Mr. Cuddie pointed put, however, that samples could be submitted to an analyst, who could s ascertain the casein contents by chemical process. Mr. T. J. O'Brien, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, stales, according to tho "Southland Times," that there is at present a demand for big upstanding draught geldings from four to six years old for shipment to Melbourne. This class of horse is required for the new railway works now being constructed in Western Australia. A buyer from Australia is reported to have given it out that he •is prepared to buy upwards of 150 of jtho above class of liorse. Tho Northern Wairoa. Co-operative Dairy Company anticipates exporting about 450 tons butter this coming season. At their disposal meeting on August 27 tho company decide! to send forward its Homo shipments on open consignment to Messrs. 11. Weddel and Co., Ltd. A warning note in regard to the feeding of dairy stock was sounded by Mr. J. G. Wilson in his anuual report to the shareholders of tho liangitikei Co-operative Dairy Company. The directors, said Sir. Wilson, would again strongly urge the suppliers to make preparation lor summer feed for cows, against the prospect of a dry season. Last year, after a very tine, dry winter, we ljad a splendid summer for dairying, and the summer food was not needed. This year the winter has been cold and wet, and on the law of averages there is therefore much more likelihood of a dry summer this year. Maize has been found to be tho most suitable crop for this purpose yet tried, but it requires a complete manure, and tho directors would ba glad to order both seed and manure suitable for the crop for tho suppliers if they wish it. If the maize was not needed it could easily be made into ensilage for winter food.