NOTES BY THE WAY.

Hawera Star, Volume XLVII, 23 June 1928, Page 18

NOTES BY THE WAY.

Herd testing is essential not only to the. pedigree breeder, but to the man who has tb make a dairy herd pay. The movement is showing at last evidences ot : a decided development, ltetliras show that there are still far too many “robber” and “boarder” cows, the former not paying its way and the latter perhaps just doing so. The industry of the country demands that with the increasing competition in the world’s markets absolute efficiency is required. The average production of the dairy stock of the Dominion must be increased and testing is the only reliable method of proving what the tows are doing. « » * * •

The higher lands towards the mountain and the land back from the coast towards the bush were not materially affected by the dry Weather. Farmers in localities such as Lowgarth aver that the season really suited them. It is certain that the' actual results of the sun baking will in the end he of material benefit.

The practice of farmers in South Taranaki to do more top-dressing and less ploughing is followed also In the South Island, p and it is reported that some farmers ’there turn ovei- little or no land, while others turn over a much curtailed area. * * * * *

' Stock is looking remarkably well, the result of the most favourable autumn. The strong growth of grass will effect a saving in winter feed. * * •* * *

Chain harrowing, to stir up the pastures and to scatter the dung lying about the paddocks, is being extensively and it is actually, a very profitable farm operation. Mr. Deem has often stated that it. is good as a hundredweight- or two of top-dressing. The improved appearance after the harrowing; is strong evidence of its value. °** * * *

Tree planting is almost a seasonal operation with a large number of farmers, and the benefit they derive from trees after four, or even three, year’s growth is remarkable. Each successive year adds largely to the asset on the farm. * * *» * *

(The latest [reports, by cable and direct from the men who have come straight from the centre of the world’s markets show that the outlook for cheese is particularly bright. The dairy farmers of South Taranaki, who depend mainly on .cheese are naturally very optimistic. The final results of the season which officially closes on June 30 will be known before long, and when the washing up of the shipments "still oil the water and just arrived is known, the position should pan out well. * * * * *

There is going to be a material increase to dairy farmers next season from the formation .of the “bobby calves pools” in various parts. If last \ear’s figures are repeated and there seems no reason to suppose that it will be otherwise, farmers will get nearly double what they have in the past. In fact, the gain to many farmers will be more than that, for many a farmer has knocked his surplus calves on the head and had the extra work of burying them. ******

A really excellent display of dairy produce will be made this year at the Winter Show in Hawera. The preparations are rapidly approaching completion. « * * * *

Farmers’ interests will he more fully covered in this year’s Winter Show than ever before because of the comprehensive displays to be made by the Dairy, Meat and Honey Boards. There will be object lessons lor the people of town and country in every hall and for the children of the schools, it will be the greatest educational factor of its kind ever seen by them in Hawera.' * * * +■ *

The western slopes of the Mangain ingi Ridge is all good country, says a. settler who knows the country well. He avers that the ridge right through to Ararata is good quality land. *•*»•*■*

“Fanners sKould take liold of tlie business in ‘bobby calves’ as: they do with butter and cheese, and support it a.s one compact body,” said Mr. C. Dickie at Lowgarth. “They will get all that is in it by supporting the Cooperative works.’’ He paid a tribute to Hon. O'. J. Hawken for his help in combatting what the Pate a Company considered- unreasonable regulations. *****

Last week the first sod of the railway siding for the Pa tea Freezing Company’s works was turned and the work is expected to be completed in a comparatively short time. The siding will mark a distinct epoch in the history of the company, a change in method of shipping of output and also the result of long effort to secure the alteration from the Department. * * * * *

Good weather experienced during the week has allowed the various seasonal operations on the farm to proceed rapidly (says a southern paper). Ploughing is in progress and frosty weather is favourable to land already turned over. Generally prospects in all branches of farming are bright and a good year may be anticipated. ******

Complaint has been made down south that the dairying industry did not support the Otago winter show as should have been the case and suggestions have been made for the improvements for next years show. * * * * *

With the gradually increasing scarcity of feed, farmers are showing some inclination to graze their cattle on the “long paddock,”'and stock are frequently to be seen on the roads in parts of Southland (says the Times). While users of the highway would not greatly object to stock wandering in the daylight hours, the vigilance ot tlie rangers docs not encourage- this practice, and at night motorists are irequently startled to see a pair of bright eyes loom suddenly close in their path.

The .possibility oF a renewal of last year’s “fertiliser war’’ is scouted by the parties which entered into an armistice agreement hast December (says the New Zealand Herald.) The agreement was entered into by three fertiliser manufacturing concerns doing business in the Auckland province, and is not formidable under three months’ notice. It is admitted that endeavours to secure an improved agreement, have not succeeded, and that there lias recently been some friction, but so far none of the companies bound by the agreement, which was for 18 months has made any definite breakaway move.

There is likliliood of an unusual development in connection with the unemployed problem in Auckland (says a correspondent), suitable men being placed on small farms which are going concerns The project originated with the Auckland Civic League, which convened a conference of local bodies to consider its plans to provide for unemployed men what are described as “go-ing-concern i'armlets.” The assistance of the Minister of Lands was requested /and the Hon.A. D. McLeod has expressed the opinion that the Government will provide 1000 acres of land for this scheme, and subsidise money raised for placing settlers on these small areas if the scheme is undertaken bv a properly constituted body. *.” * * *

Gradually the farmers of the Auckland district are having more general recourse to the Intermediate Credits Act. (savs the Herald), its wider exploitation now depends largely upon the formation of more rural credit associations and the extension of schemes whereby dairy companies guarantee borrowers. * * * *

A small farmer near Worcester (England) is reported in an English paper, to have made £4OO in cabbages and {■26o in peas on a ten acre farm. * . * * *

In 1925 and 1926, England paid many millions sterling for imported eggs from foreign countries. The imports from various parts of the Empire have increased considerably since 1920.

Two years ago there were no less than 141 outbreaks' of foot and mouth disease in 23 counties in England and compensation paid by the Government totalled £115,800. The disease attacked cattle, pigs sheep and a few goats. **’ * * *

japan has produced on an average for five years, 301,842.891 bushels of rice while the principal other crops are wheat, barley and beans, on the upland farms as a second crop after rice. * * * * *

Remarkable results are secured in China in the growing of rice in experimental areas by a system of transplanting. By this method no less than 120 bushels "to the acre are obtained. * * * * *

A rather unusual destination for Australian sheep is that of 10 ewe hoggets from the Corriedale flock at Eurella (Victoria), which, were shipped last- week by the Marama for New Zealand, thence for Uruguay, South America. The sale was affected through the agency of the Australian Mercantile Land and Finance Company, Ltd., Buenos Ayres, to their client, Senor Ricardo Shaw, who on a previous occasion acquired two Corriedale stud rams. The Eurella flocks are claimed to he direct descendants of the oldest established Corriedale- flock in existence. They are of Lincoln-merino rigin. and no other blood has ever been introduced.