GENERAL FARMING NEWS

Dominion, Volume 7, Issue 2017, 26 March 1914, Page 8

GENERAL FARMING NEWS

South African pcaclics have been selling in London lately at from 4d. to Is. yd. each, and apricots at somewhat lower prices. A _ record price for flock ewes was obtained at the Albury sale 'on Monday, when Messrs. Dalgety and Co. sold a line of 2-tooth ewes on account of Mr. John Anderson, of'Eskdale, at 30s. 2d. each. The buyer was Mr. James M'Cost, of Albury. The ewes were bred from Romney cross ewes, by Corriedale ranis. '• On a rough estimate not more than 50 or 60 tons of margarine is produced every week in Australia. The next few weeks, says a Melbourne paper, may witness the first' stages of definite competition bctweeii butter and a specially refined variety of margarine manufactured for table iiso. One of-, the largest milk and butter purveying-firmS in. Victoria is responsible for the new departure. It is further stated by several leading manufacturers in Melbourne that a largo Sydney firm, .with Pacific Island sources, intends to extend greatly the manufacture of deodorised vegetable oils with a view to producing' an oil suitable for use as the basis of'refined margarine. According to the annual report of Mr. T. IV. Kirk, Director of Orchards, Gardens, and Apiaries Divisions, published in the "Journal of the Department of Agriculture," the quantity of hops exported last year was 2340cwt., valued .at £20,698, an increase in value compared with the previous year of £9104. "The past season has been good, and prices are high,' so growers are in good heart," adds tho report. For the year elided March 31, 1013, v fruit to t'hc value of £4*26,840 .was.im-' ported into tho Dominion. The quantity of fresh fruit dutiable wa's 3,973,5311b., valued at £49,156. and fresh fruit duty free 18,052,2211b,, valued at £130,174. Of bottled and preserved fruit 187,324 dozen bottles, valued at £40,171, were imported. No fewer than 14,528,7481b. of drjed fruit came into the country, valued at £201,013. Fruit pulp and partially preserved fruit valued at £2439 was also imported. In addition 613,9101b. of limcmd and oraiige', pool ..iii;.bi'ine : !>ivas imported,_ valued at £3887. The total quantity is less than imported the previous year by £14,538. in value.. . Thero appears to be considerable activity, in the live stock market in South"Canterbury at the present time. In Saturday's issue of the "Tiraaru Kerald," in the stock auctioneers' advertisements there were approximately 48,000 sheep of all descriptions advertised for sale'. . s In spite of the growth of the fruit industry, New Zealand cannot yet fullfil her own requirements, and according to the latest information available no fewer, than 47,763 cases of apples, and_ 2915 cases, of pears, wero imported into the Dominion during tho year 1912. Of these Canada supplied'l3,3l4 cases, California 25,340, Tasmania 9057, and Victoria 52. From Canada 532 cases of pears were received, from Tasmania 1126, and from Victoria 1257. The sawmills along the, Otira line are very busy just now (says the Greymouth "Star"), there beiug, many back orders, awaiting fulfilment. The mills at the Silver Pine and at Aratika are in full swing. The Manuka, which recently left for 'Melbourne,- took a ; consignment of specially-selected, one-shear Romnoy purebred ewes, and one ram. These were bred, by Messrs. Smith Bros., of lliavenswood Stud Farm, : Palinerston North, and forwarded to a Tasmanian iclient. They were an.exceedingly fine line, and reflected much credit upon the breeders arid purchasers. Tho world .exacts from you its toll of worry and work—there's, no need for you to add to it. Make things as .easy as you can—"Victor" Vats lighten labour and help increase, the qualify of,tho cheese. "Victor" Vats have that sloping bottom •which caused such a sensation in the cheese-making world. Every factory should have "Victor" Vats,, they are built for efficiency and Satisfaction.' 'Write for particulars. Albert J,' Partem, Plumber, Carterton.—Advt.