NOTES BY THE WAY

Hawera Star, Volume L, 20 December 1930, Page 7

NOTES BY THE WAY

The farmer is being unkindly treated this season as far as the weather is concerned, Tor every little bright spot of rain and warmth is followed by a continuous cold wind that seems to forget when to stop or a relapse into winter such as happened this week. These conditons have, to be endured because one cannot vary the decrees of nature, but there is little doubt they could be mitigated to a great extent by suitable belts of shelter. It is the infallible experience of enthusiasts in tree growing to prove that- the results of such belts, are really wonderful. They result not only in shelter for the stock, but also in imnroved and more ■ liberal pastures and in srood grass where there has been rubbish. This has been proved by many tree growing farmers, and it is essential for the good of the primary

industrv that this number should be / largely increased. Every farmer stands in his own light who does not plant. The results of the Boys and Girls’ Clubs’ calf-rearing contests must be very gratifying to the present organisers and be a source of great satisfaction to those who were the pioneers in the movement, many of whom have bad to give no the work but who no doubt follow the results with keen interest. The sight oF the final parade at the championships in Tilth am would serve to recompense those who have borne the burden in the early stages. Thev owe much to the parents who have consistently helped and encouraged their children to prepare and show calves. The hone lias been consistently expressed and reiterated that the number will grow verv largely, because that is an essential factor if the clubs are to wield the influence they should and to continue to grow and increase. Their value is isurelv patent to alj and mere so is if necessary in hard tiTuac; fo trv to instil in the minds of fiie i-o”no a lov a of animals and a doslre to follow fa-i-ming as a life purs’’it The parents can Influence the children vew strongly if thev go about ; I mi Uio riir'M wav. but thev mast, be f■’* ** In llw- voo 11 rr neonlc and let them fool a. distinct, oride in ownership of tbo heifers.

Figures supplied bv the general secretary of the Primary Producers’ Union in New South Wales (says the “Sydney Morning Herald”) show a steady decline in the earnings ‘of coastal dairy fanners. While in some cases the manufacture increased by 21.4 ner cent, the average pay rate decreased bv 30 per cent and the dairy fnrme'-s’ earnings bv 12.2 per cent. Despite a substantial increase in production. the dairy farmers in the areas mentioned have been forced to content themseO-es with £59,1-51 less than they received during the same period last year.

Asked by a “Taranaki Herald” representative on Monday what results were being obtained from the use of sodium chlorate in dealing with Californian thistle. Mr J. W. Deem said experiments had not gone quite far enough for the department to give any

definite' advice as to the hest times to J treat the thistle. At the same time on V areas that were treated last summer and autumn 90 to 95 Tier cent of kills had been obtained. Present indications were that the best time to give Californian thistle its first spraying was iust as the plants were coming into flower. This seemed to give them the biggest shock and then should he followed up with a second spraying when there was a sufficient return growth to make the work worth while. A 5 to 7-1 per cent solution was quite strong enough. Anything stronger did not appear to do any more good so far as getting rid of the weed was concerned and on the other hand was ni'i'di harder on the grass. Similarly "■'tli regard to gorsc and blackberry Mr TV cm said it was too soon to make !""• definite pronouncement. “T realise that the position is serious but I have seen seasons like this before when i prices have dropped to TOd before Chirstmas but have risen afterwards to give a fair price over the nbr-li' -.prison, and T hone +he same will binr-ori H,is rear." said the chairman. MV T. T Anderson of the Stratford Co-'ntv Council at the last meeting. Tn a copy of a recent Devonshire paper the following paragraph appeared : ‘-Devonshire farm butter was offered at" Is a pound retail at the market to-day. the lowest price since pre-war days. Large quantities remained unsold. The price last year was 2s 3d. A splendid crop of grass, decrease pf visitors, and low purchasing power of the unemployed are responsible for the fall in price.” Xcw Zc.a.bmd butter was about the same price at that time.