FARM TOPICS

Dominion, Volume 33, Issue 283, 24 August 1940, Page 17

FARM TOPICS

Disappointment Over Royal Show Disappointment must be felt at the absence of the 1940 Royal Show. A delicate institution, this has taken much careful tending to create a reputation and standing, in face of severe difficulties. Last year Southland gamely carried on, and produced a grand show. Why should the Royal lapse this year? A month ago we criticized the Royal Society for not going ahead, and urged that it reconsider that decision. Since then we have been advised that it was not the society’s fault, but the fault of certain local associations. An attitude of ‘‘too much bother” prevailed. A grave pity this, if it is so; for the Royal should have the support of all associations, breeders, and the State, as a show supreme. Tribute to Earthworms. Eighteen acres by the orchard used to run 45 ewers. Gradually earthworms worked into the pasture from the adjoining cultivated ground, and after two or three years they appeared to have ruined the paddock; it became pugged and • r

soppy, but. that proved only a passing phase. When recovered, the 18 acres ran 65 ewes, and the capacity has gradually increased to 72 ewes wintered. This is four an acre, on Taihape hills, at 2200 feet altitude. Mr. A. R. Fannin’s account of the tribute to earthworms is thus given. Admittedly topdressing had something to do with the improved capacity. But judging by its effects elsewhere on the farm, this can be credited with but one-half the improvement, and a full 50 per cent, must be credited that tireless and silent worker, the humble earthworm. Mr. Fannin wonders if the topdressing encouraged the worms? This might be a factor, for he reports that these are ever moving outward, even on to more dry ridges. Here their influence is marked, the dnuthoniu dominance giving place to encouraged rye. Preserve Meat Board Funds.

A very unwise resolution was adopted at a meeting of an Otago freezing company. This was: “That the Farmers’ Union ask the Meat Board to donate £30,000 (of its £65.000 accumulated funds), as a token of producers' appreciation of the Air Force, to replace planes lost.” That resolution was adopted by the local Farmers’ Union concerned. By all means, let New Zealand be generous; let each and all give as fully as he can to patriotic funds and special appeals. But this '‘institution giving” is not personal sacrifice. Nor is it iu keeping with the purpose of any body, such as the Meat Board, to make gifts, for however good a cause. The board’s fund in hand is all too modest, in view of the needs that must be anticipated. Rather than that they be halved, producers should wisely press that the fund in hand be doubled. Boil Town Scraps.

In view of the move growing throughout the Dominion, to collect town 6-craps (kitchen waste) as a source of pig-food supply, we see need to publish a warntjuch food should always be boiled by the pig-keeper, before feeding. Authority for that statement is Mr. S. R. P. Chester, one of Britain’s leaning pig-men, who keeps between 7000 and bOOO pigs, under scientific management. He uses the food scraps from the city of Plymouth. , Incidentally, his estimate of good supply is of interest and value: Ihe homes of 1000 people yield about bewt. of waste daily, over two tous " A ton feeds 50 pigs weekly, and two tons 100 pigs, so that each 10 citizens piovide enough for a pig.’’ ~o ou That is under rationing invo = meat and butter and margarine. v in New Zealand our waste would Lt greater, probably by 30 per cen . So calculated, a city of ~t>,ooo t toi , such as Palmerston North, should piovide food from its scraps lor -;’WNe J w°Zeflaml would proportionately feed 2,100.000 pigs a year. Is It Wise? 'The Manawatu District Cou ' lcl * Primary Production approved last wee J S from the Cheltenham ~it ee ‘That no white-faced ewe lambs should be allowed to go to freezing works, as tlu’V are required to build up Hocks. We question the wisdom ot that resolution? Were it strictly followed, er ciy cull wf ewe lamb would par’s.' into our breeding Hocks; inflating the numbmai probably beyond all reasonable e>, and impairing seriously the quality f ’ t, Admi < tiedly considerable numbers of ewe lambs did go into works hrn-l. autumn, and some excellent lines at that. ky so there is no real worth m asking lor regimentation, and for a highly questionable cause. , The market valuation will early stop the practice if too many and good ewe lambs are no dratted. As a war measure the proposal is practically useless, n - trust it receives no further support or mention. Bobby Calves. When calf skins fell about a month ago from 17d. lb. to lOd. only, it was felt that bobby calf prices must come down. . r , Actually they are holding well. A lew days ago we went, over dockets for -< calves,' from Jerseys, grade cows by Friesian bulls, and found these averaged 7/6. One big calf, 951 b., was top at

The end of season bonus expected will raise returns still further. The skins drop of 7d. lb. means 2/3 a head, on calves with typical 41b. skins. Cattle Crazy For Onions.

From Shannon we hear of two examples of the fact that “cattle are crazy for onions.” On a property there a big stock was stored in a shed, protected by wooden rails in doorway, and netting within. Big fattening bullocks, on excellent feed, broke in, past all obstacles, and ale ravenously of the onions. At another place nearby the same loss was suffered, to an open air store. Our informant declares*that the cattle do not just pick at onions for a mere taste, but show extreme fondness for them, and determination to satisfy the longing.