FARM AND DAIRY

Hawera Star, Volume XLVI, 23 July 1927, Page 11

FARM AND DAIRY

NOT LOS BY THE WAY. Mr T. Shearer, who has Boon many years iu the district, has taken up a large area in the Bay of Plenty district. Mr Shearer says the farm is right on the sea coast, immediately opposite the famous White Island, and the house overlooks the sea. He intends to make a big effort to make the country profitable, and has made arrangements to top-dress very heavily. He is convinced from what he lias seen of that country that the response will be liberal to the treatment, and that he will be able to secure very good results. The wise farmer uses his tine harrows on his pastures where stock has been running for some time and so scatters the manure. The effect is remarkable and is said by experts to be as good as a fair application of topdressing. One sees on many farms the manure distributor at work, putting on the annual "crop” of fertiliser. All farmers should do as much top-dressing as they can afford; no farmer can afford to do without top-dressing.

The Waimate West County Council have set a line example to the farmers in the matter of tree planting. At the last meeting it was reported that in the waste areas of several acres at the Kapuni river (Main South Bond) and up the Glenn Hoad, several thousand pines had been planted, and all were growing remarkably well. More planting will still be done as occasion permits. When bulk is required, whether of grass or crops that are grown for their foliage, nitrogen may be freely applied, but in the cast? of root crops, where sound and well-developed bulbs are roquired, nitrogen must be used in very moderate quantities, as any excess tends towards coarseness of growth, and also keeps llu' plants growing late into tlie* season. At this time of the year farmers might give consideration to the question of tree-planting for shelter and , also to fill up waste corners. Treeplanting is receiving greater attention each year from farmers, and there is no doubt, that a little span of trees will prove a great future asset on property both as regards sheltering stock and for timber and firewood purposes. Where there is below 40 inches annual rainfall slag is not the best topdressing to be used. Super is better in such districts. A question was asked recently by a farmer as to the effect on sheep’ of newly spread super, and the reply was that it would do them no harm. ’ The cow is a highly sensitive animal; she should get her food regularly and to her liking. If not, she will make her silent protest known in the milk pail. Cows well repay kind attention and a liberal supply of food. In making up the food ration it is necessary to bear in mind that the first use she' puts her food to is to maintain her body, and cows should be always kept in what stock-feeders call "good thriving condition." It is as great a mistake to allow the cow get too lean as to permit her to become too fat.

Feeds differ greatly in their calcium content. Bran, for example, while one of the staple feeds, is not high in calcium, and this may be said to be true of most cereal products. Dependence must, therefore, be largely placed on the forage's to increase the mineral eontent of the ratio. There is a cheerful tone in the wool market at Home at present. Crossbreds are reported to be brisker on the Bradford tops market, although opening' prices on the London market are not being maintained. In these days, when a popular slogan is "a school within a mile,” it is interesting to recall the disabilities that some of the children of New Zealand’s pioneer settlers were faced with, says an exchange. A Palmerston North resident recently stated that when he attended the Terrace End school fortytwo years ago he walked from his home at Fitzherbert and back again each day, a distance of- eleven miles. He estimates that during his eight years at school he walked a distance of about 15,000 miles. In addition, he had to milk live cows daily. Realising how important it is to have a horse properly shod, and what great harm can be occasioned through bad shoeing, it would be a good move on the part of the principal agricultural societies to institute farriers’ competitions. .Such competitions are very popular in Scotland and attract large entries. There is a very great need for farriers in country centres being instructed in the art of horse shoeing. Reports from Apia state that the N.Z. Government eoeoanuF plantations in Samoa are looking well and one of the largest places is likely to put up a record tonnage for the year.

Replying to an inquirer, the “Waikato Times" expert says: “If the mangol.ls have been pulled and clamped for six weeks you can safely feed them to the dairy stock. For pigs 1 would advise you to leave them for eight weeks (that is two weeks longer) before feeding- -Start off with small quantities at first and increase the ration gradually, feeding hay in addition. Lucerne or meadow hay with a good proportion of clover nicely balances the mangolds. The value of meetings such as the “Point-to-Point” is not confined to the hunt clubs, tor the type of horse necessary to last out a gruelling race of three miles is one that can combine speed and endurance, the latter being feature largely absent from the ordinary race meeting, where most of the races are sprints or shorter distances than three miles. |( j s type of horse fled. is valuable to the world of “horsedom," and should be more encouraged.

11 "ib be of interest to recall that twenty odd years ago the Department ot Agriculture were buying horses for the army, and ori two sections down the Hauroto Road (part of the Livingston Lstate,- resumed l>v the (rovornment), there wore at one time a couple of hundred horses, cavalry and artillery, awaiting the taking over by the military authorities. Mr .Deem, who was doing the purchasing of that lot, said Unit the number of horses that could carry R! stone and drag guns was very and it was certain they could tmi be secured to-dav.

The mention of those sections recalled to a nearby settlin' that in those days they lay tor some time unoccupied, tenants at 21s Sd per acre being nol available. Tills is a striking contrast with conditions out there to-dav

Pl.Of/f.HiXL CONTEST OLD TIMES RECALLED. At I lie conclusion of a rocmil- ploughing' coldest held annually in Otago, • e • era I of the old-timers had inlemsling comparisons to make with ploughing innfelie.s years ago. One whoso lather was a champion in the ’sixties, when there used to be a Western Dis-

trie! match at Thonibury, said that about thirty entries were received in those days, and some great ploughing was done. He thought the standard was probably a little higher then and the teams slightly better, hut the turnout, of the teams this year was about the . best he had ever seen. Another farmer remembered the first meeting of the Drummond Association in 1897. The match was held in Air. dolin' Ewan's paddock, and so far as he could remember the most prominent competitors were Alalcolm Gray and David Hardy. The latter won last year and was a judge this year.

This farmer said the tractors did a different class of work altogether from the horses, and it- was hard to compare the two Farmers would never do away with horse teams, lie was certain, though on certain types of farms tractors were quite satisfactory.