DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

Greymouth Evening Star, Volume XXXI, 6 November 1901, Page 3

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE.

The Annual Report

(our parliamentary reporter )

Wellington, Nov. 5,

The annual report of the Department of Agriculture was laid on the table this afternoon. It shows that during the year ended March 31st last an increase of 2,760,005 bushels in oats was shown, compared with the proceeding year, while the following cereals show a decrease Wheat 2,064,774 bushels. Barley 557,494 bushels. Rye 21,045 bushels. Maize 157,199 bushels. Peas 26,879 bushels. Beans 15,524 bushels. Rye grass 517,776 bushels. Cocksfoot 8,625,142 lbs. Potatoes 53,022 tons. The area under wheat continues to decrease rapidly, and unless the prices very materially increases. Secretary Ritchie reports that a further reduction may be looked for.

The following figures are of interest, and shows the area under wheat for threshing for the past five years 1896-1897-258,608 acres ;1897 1898, 315,801 ; 18981899, 399,035 ; 1899-1900, 269,749 ; 19001901, 206,465. The demand is mainly a local one, and the average price ruling for good milling wheat for the j ear may be put down at 2s 4d per bushel of GO.bs. In oats (for threshing) an increase of 51,291 acres in area and of 2,760,005 bushels in yield is shown compared with the previous year. In Canteroury especially, some phenomenal crops were secured and mainly in first class condition. For the year ending March 31st lost, there was exported to South Africa i irect, 3,476,444 bushels valued at £324,699 and to other ports 2,732,360 bushels valued at £240,950. A very large proportion of the latter was shipped to Melbourne and Sidney, principally the former, and there transhipped to South Africa. A shipment or tv/o of the oats was this season’s growth. Contracts have been entered into for further largo linos.

During the past few months the price has ruled from l/3d to l/9d per bushel of 401bs,

In barley, rye, and maize, a decrease of 15,451 acre*, 1,241 acres, and 3,421 acres, is shown repectively. The decrease in maize is at ribut.d to the losses suffered by the settlers in the Bay of Plenty District through frost. Many of the crops were entirely ruined, and naturally growers hesitata to continue raising such a risky crop. A considerable decrease is also shown in the quantity of ryegrass and cocksfoot saved, but the decreased supply has unfortunately not resulted in an increase in the price. The excessive rainfall during the harvesting of the seed caused considerable damage, and a largo quantity is badly discoloured. The decrease of rye grass was 617,766 bushels, and of cocksfoot 3,625,142 lbs. The potato crop only yielded 162,C,42 tons; a decrease of 55,082 tons compared with the preceding twelve months. Considerable difficulty was experienced in lifting owing to the wet weather, on the whole no great damage resulted. In turnips the decrease was 11,129 acres, in mangolds 710 acre*, and in rape 1049 acres, Canterbury and Otago were primarily responsible for these results. There are several reasonsior the decrease shown, viz., the abundance of grass, scarcity and high price of store sheep, and the continued wet weather which preventhe working of the land. Many of the crops ot turnips, the report adds, are much below the average and the feeding r 'suits will in many cases be poor.

Very little is done in the way of ensilage. Regret is expressed at thisfor if the dairying industry is to bo carried on tuecessfully, it is absolutely necessary that dairy farmers should provide an ample supply of winter foed for their cows. Nothing is better for the purpose than ensilage and with our varied climate it is the safest and cheapest fodder dairymen can provide.

To cope with tho smal birds nuisance we are told that simultaneous action is required cither on the part of land owners or local authorities or that the Department should take up tho whole work. Tho latter it is believed would be the most effective. The demand for hemp has been fairly good during the year and much better pricss ruled. Compulsory grading is weak.

As to fruit it is reported that in several districts a marked interest, is being taken in the industry. Generally the reports from tho Nelson district show that the culture of small fruits is receiving considerable attention.

The inspection of the different infected vineyards has proved the efficiency of the measures adopted for tho control of phylloxera. The area actually infested being very much lessened. All imported fruit has been systematically inspected at the ports of entry, A considerable quantity of fruit comes to hand, but is dealt with by fumigation or destroyed.

The results from the poultry branch have been most encouraging. The stations at Momohaki, Burnham, and Milton, are now complete and up-to-date, but the one at Motuti Island (Auckland), is not suitable and will be removed at the end of the season.

The depots, established at the four centres during the year for the receiving of and dressing and packing of poultry by experts, have done considerable business, a large proportion of the output going to South Africa. A few poultry were shipped to London, but the prices do not compare favorably with those obtained at the Capo.

The past season has been a most favorable one for the dairying industry so far as abundance of grass for the cows was concerned, but the continued cold bleak winds which prevailed more or less throughout the spring and summer, were much against the yield of milk. The output shows an ine'ease of 22,761 cwt of butter valued at £96,459, and of 11,151 cwt of cheese valued at £40,625. The output of butter last year was 184,553 cwt valued at £790,160, and 109,152 cwt of cheese valued at £249,883. An liberation was made at the beginning of last season in the storage charges, and shippers have now to contribute at the rate of 2-jd per 561 b box of butter. Mr Singleton who was engaged in Canada as cheese instructor has arrived, and will be available for instruction during the winter.

The export of mutton has decreased, and that of lamb increased. The cause of the decrease in mutton is probably due to the great demand of ewes for breeding. Very few young ewes find their way to any of the freezing works.

Beef continues to increase in export with the result that for some time past the average price for good bullocks has been from £1 to £1 5s per 100 lbs. The supply of well grown stores is very limited and ihe prices ruling for such leave little margin for fattoaing.

We are told that the reports furnished by the Inspectors on many of the slaughtering places are not at all satisfactory 7, clearly showing that many of the local bodies have been most lax in their endeavours .to carry out the provisions of the old act.

The importance of the branding of all New Zealand meat is strongly urged. The sum of £3902 was paid as compensation for cattle destroyed, The payment being a great assistance to many settlers. Provision is now made for the payment of one third compensation to batchers for cattle found diseased in slaughter, the hide and carcass to remain their property subject to being dealt withes directed. The number of horses is put as follows 1899-1900, 262,320 ; 1900-1901, 266725 or an increase of 4335. There were 25,972 swine in the colony at the end of the year or an increase of 1224. Tue necessity for the passing of a measure dealing with the housing etc of pigs is becoming more pressing every day. The treatment many of them receive is reported as being scandalous. They are left without shelter summer or winter and therefore suffer both from the heat and tho.cold. Persons keeping pigs in enclosed ’yards especially should he Compelled to provide a dry comfortable house for shelter. On rabbit skins there has been a marked decrease every year siace 1898 from the ports of Wellington, Picton and Lyttelton, while from Oamaru, Dunedin, and the Bluff there was a large increase up to 1900 but for the past season the export was somewhat less. The export of frozen rabbits last season was more than a million over that of the previous year. This incoming season it is not anticipated that there will be anything like as large a number exported. Whether the difference will be made up in skins depends a good deal upon the weather and the energy shown by the settlers.