SOUTHERN MARKETS

Dominion, Volume 10, Issue 3065, 28 April 1917, Page 12

SOUTHERN MARKETS

By Telegraph.—Press Association. Christohurch, April 27. There is nothing fresh to report in the grain market. The offerings of wheat are still very limited, and tlie next return published by the Government Statistician showing tho amount thrashed is being awaited. The oats market is dull, and-holders of grain in tno country are not prepared to accept tho ruling prices. Steady business is being dono in potatoes at £4 to £4 2s. 6d., according to distance, for delivery in May, and £4 os. for delivery in June.

A few days ago a witness at the Appeal Board at New Plymouth stated that as a result of ten years' testing he had increased the yield of his cows by 1001b. of but-ter-fat each per annum. A further instance of the value of testing over a period is afforded by the herd of Mr. It. Ross, Palmerston North, and late of Awahuri. Mr. Ross commenced testing some five years ago, weeded out the poor milkers and bred only from the cows with the best tests. Mr. Ross did not purchase expensive pedigree bulls, but used herd bulls with good tests on their dams side. The success of this breeding is afforded by a heifer in her first milking season. In the month of March last she produced 8401b. of milk, with a test of 5.8 butterfat, or a total butter-fat output of 48.721b. This is the best record iu the whole of the testing district, which includes Cheltenham, Apiti, Awahuri, and Woodvillo, and comprises cows of all ages. The association's average test for March was 5431b. of milk, with a 4.6 butter-fat test, or a total of 25.191b. for the month, so that the success achieved by Mr. Ross's heifer is very pronounced indeed, and valuable testimony in support of testing. The North Canterbury Grain Merchants' Association is endeavouring to secure from farmers, free of cost, up to 100 tons of seed potatoes to assist the Canterbury Board of Industries in its scheme for utilising the waste lands around Christchurch in the production of food for patriotic purposes. Some capital yields of red clover seed have been secured iu the Geraldine district. One farmer, whose wheat crop was disappointing obtained two ba<*s of red clover seed to the acre, winch means at present prices £20 an acre from this source. Another expects to net £200 from 15 acres. One grower has secured 2J bags to the acre off eight acres.

SUBDIVISIONAL LAND SALE. "BOLINDA ESTATE." Good judges of land have said that of the really first-class land in the Dominion quite half of the total area is to 1m found in the Manawatu. The haianga district is possibly the largest tract of first-class land about, and it rarely finds its way under tile hammer, consequently the announcement that Mr. L. H. M'Hardy nas decided to sell by public auction his well-known "Bolinda" Estate is of special interest. This estate is practically midway between Feilding and Palmerston North, within three miles of the fatter town, and is handy to the "Glaxo," and butter factories, school, railway station, and freezing works. It is also handy to the important salevards of EeiMinß and Palmerston fror'tli. The land is all flat and of rich quality, practically all has been ploughed, awt sown' in .the best English grasses. There aro numerous plantations, a good supply of wafer to every section, and most of the sections arc Ting-fonoed, many subdivided. The terms are such as. to .enable tho small selector to have the same chance as the laTge man in (Securins what ho recmires. Plans and full particulars may be had on application to Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., and Barraud and Abraham, Ltd., all offices.

CLEARING SALE AT 3UNGIOTU. On Wednesday next, at Rangiotn, Messrs. Abraham and Williams, Ltd., will hold art unreserved clearing sale on account of Mr. .T. H. Simmons who is "ivinp up dairvin?. The whole herd, comprising 73 first-class cows, ealnn<* in .Tiilv August. peiitember. and Oct"b?r. willV sold under H'O bamnicv. These cows are stated to be all ynnnc; ami in first-class condition. The ealvinsr dates will he sunplied with each cow, and also a eunrantee "< 1" /roundness. Thfpedigree Jersey hull Don Saro will lx» sold, and other lines will be found enumerated in the advertisement. Tor Hip convenience of buyeys from a distance tlm auctioneers will arrange for Hip conveyance from their n(i! cf , s 011 |] m mnrniniT of the sale. Early application for a seat in the cars is recommended.