GENERAL FARM NEWS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 2996, 6 February 1917, Page 8

GENERAL FARM NEWS

Although the season has been miprofitable for Auckland as regards ■ stone fruit, it has hoon an exceptionally good one for tomatoes. J\'o fowcr tlwn 6000 boxes were handled last week by one local firm, this, in the opinion of tho managor, constituting n record for New Zealand. Tomatoes this year are of splendid quality, and n'pny growers aro looking forward to 6ales to make up in. some d'egree for the losses sustained in stone fruit. The cocksfoot harvest is now almost finiished, statces the Akaroa correspondent of a Christchurch newspaper. It is expected that the output on Banks Peninsula somewhat less than that of last year, though tho seed in most eases is heavier, except in places where it is too exposed to the sun and nor'-westers. No sales have hoen reported yet, though lOd. per lb. for 141b. seed has been offered. Considering tho high prices paid for labour this year, in most cases 2s. 6d. per hour and found, a good price is needed to ensure a fair return. The story of the faithful devotion of a sheep dog is related by a visitor from the Bay of Plenty district. Two years ago the owner of the animal left AVhakatane for tho front, leaving it to .be cared for by friends. Every day since the faithful dog has gone to meet the Opotiki ' conch in a vain search for his absent master. ' Tho daily journey of tho' dog is a sourco of great interest to tho residents of the town and to visitors. FEILDING RAM PAIR. The annual Wes.t Coast ram fair will be held this year at Feilding on Thursday and Friday next. The fair will he held at the Peilding showgrounds, when 1200 well-bred rams from the floclcs of the beat breeders in the Dominion will be offered. The order of sale is given in the advertisement appearing in an-other-column, and the sale is under the auspices of the Peilding A. and P. Hneiety and the Live Stock Auctioneers' Association. This year thore is a decided shortage of rams, and the prices realised at the Hastings fair last week give a good indication of the position. Those farms wanting rams are recommended to attend the Feilding fair, where the quality of the entries will, it is stated, be found equal to the best in the Dominion. News has reached this office that the demand i 6 greater than ever for Parton's famous Victor Cheese Vats. Orders are being executed in rotation, and 'by placing your order to-dav, you can be sure of comparatively eai'ly delivery. Middle drainage and sloping bottom aro outstanding features. Get details. A. J. PARTON. Sheet Metal and Plumbing Works, Pembroke Street, Carterton.— Advt.