Farming.

Dunstan Times, Issue 2050, 11 January 1901, Page 2

Farming.

The New South Wales Government statistician estimates the wheat crop of the colon}' at 17> 1 95> 000 bushels, or an average of 12.6 bushels, an acre. * The cause of slump in the wool trade has been inquired into b}' the “Financial Times,” which has come to the conclusion that wool and the trade could have stood the great prices the staple was commanding last December had there not been so many substitutes available, mcrinoes especially being throttled b} r the excessive quantities of cheap cross-breds that were at hand, 'ihc writer continues ; “Fine wools occupy the worst position of any class in the market, and, judging by the present business doing, the immediate outlook for them is not by any means rosy. If it were possible to say with truthfulness that merinoes were as good as cross-brcds, then the Bradford trade would be in a lair, way, but this cannot be maintained, for where one pack of merino tops is sold twenty-live packs ot 40 s are placed. We venture to say that the present available stocks ol merinoes arc fully ample to meet the demands of the manufacturing world this year and next. Fabric buyers have now fixed up in their racn,s wear department for the next spring and summer season, and among dress-goods btwers there is undoubtedly a very strong feeling for the sharp, chrisp, firmer fabrics, which arc only obtainable from the use of cross-bred wools. The present difference of nearly iod per lb between the price of 40V and 60s tops has never existed for long, and spinners led that the farmer must either go up or still further come down it prices are to get on to the level when a normal trade was done.”

JANUARY.

. This month the operations in the held are somewhat similar to those of last month. It depends a great deal on the weather whether this is a busy month or not. Presuming that the meadow, clover and ryegrass hay have been secured last month, the cutting of oats lor hay will have to be done now, provided the oats were sown early, and the season is propitious. Oats, Jibe the grasses, should be cut when tender in the haulm and before the seed sets, and quickly dried and secured.

The root and other crops require great attention this month. They should be kept clear of weeds, inasmuch as they become injurious to any crop if.allowedfco grow side by side witjfafiy plant intended ftr domestic pin poses. Weeds are 'naturally hardy and vigorous growers, consequently they will rob and keep under all plants around them ; otherwise, they too are bcvxtkial when kepi under control. Beans, hemp, lobbacco, and all oilier tall glowing plant, want looking after, as they may become laid, which should be prevented, if earthing them up and tying to thin stakes can do so. Cabbage and kohl-rabi want the earth drawn up around their stems ; . and in doing this, care should be taken not to injure or remove too 4tpany leaves, for they are the chief inhalers and conductors ot organic matter, which supply by far) the larger uwtm, bi, die imminent

IWhSi by plants. Leaves also Oilier functions. One is, the soil and keep it moist, leaves are removed, the i have to be mulched, wmiSfr lifts to be done in very dry hot feather with the tobacco, which iTsparsely provided close to the ground with that necessary protection. It is therefore best to allow all healthy leaves to remain, and gather only the decaying ones for the compost heap. Another drawback in gathering sound leaves is that it causes long stalks in cabbage, etc., long necks on mangle-wuzel and sugar beet, and the kohl-rabi will become oblong in consequence. Another objectionable result is that where the leaves have been torn off, that part becomes woody, useless, and unpalatable for cattle. The hop should receive its full share of attention the shoots or bins should be guided and made secure, especially after high winds, as old poles get broken, and they otherwise get entangled and injured. Mangel, sugar beet, turnips, parsnips, and carrots should receive attention; in fact, the industrious husbandman takes a turn once a week or oftener through every field. Flax, if sown in September, requires watching so that it may not get over lipe before it is pulled, if for seed purposes ; it for the fibre only, it should be pulled immediately after flowering. Barley, if sown early in early districts, will become fit to be harvested. If it is intended for seed or malting purposes, it should be thoroughly ripe, carefully cut, winnowed, and secured. The threshing should be performed by hand, if practicable, as the machines too often injure the germinating part of the grain. All crops intended for seed purposes should be fully ripe, and carefully handled, so that they may be pet feet in every respect.