Notes and Comments

Hawera Star, Volume LIV, 22 August 1935, Page 10

Notes and Comments

SOUTH TARANAKI PROVINCIAL EXECUTIVE Tlie provincial president, Mr W. A. Sheat, has visited several branch' meetings during the month and he has also been present at other Farmers’ Union functions. C« * * * * Women’s Division. The W.D.F.U. is flourishing in South Taranaki and a number of branches have held birthday gatherings during the past few weeks. ***** Boys and Girls’ Clubs. Judging from the applications for additional entry forms, it is anticipated that the total, entries for this year’s competitions will eclipse the figures for last year. * * * * * The Weather. ■Common alike to members and to non-members of tlie Farmers’ Union, water has lately been much in evidence on South Taranaki farms and mud has simply been “the limit.” The weather conditions will take a heavy toll of young lambs. * * * ~ * Collection of Bobby Calves. A special sub-committee from the executive recently met to consider ways and means of improving upon the present system, of collection of bobby calves. After deliberating on the matter, it was generally accepted that any interference with private enterprise might have repercussions in other directions. Whilst agreeing that some system of zoning woidd eliminate much overlapping and prevent useless road usage, it was felt that such an arrangement would give a preference to the meat companies in a specified area which might result in lower prices being paid for calves. Such a system could also give a monopoly to carriers, and this might result in higher costs of delivery. The conclusions of the committee have been communicated to the No. 5 Transport Authority. V 4 Hs Britain’s Milk Marketing Scheme. Although much criticism lias been levelled at the British Milk Board, the recent poll of registered milk producers has given an SI per cent, vote in favour of continuing the present scheme. ***** The British Potato Board.

"An Old Hand," writing in "Tlie Countryman," England, says: "The Potato Board seems up to the present to have helped the grower, * without penalising the consumer, and, anyway, the consumer has no right to expect to get ‘ sweated ’ produce, whether it be foodstuffs or silk stockings. But, curiously enough, many peqple who get quite properly indignant at the thought of .sweating in industry, remain unmoved at the thought of cheap food. I Would say that most of the foodstuffs imported of recent years have been got at the expense of much human suffering." ***** Restrictions and Control. "When prices begin to rise under increased purchasing the public will not stand greater restrictions and prohibitions."—Professor R. B. Mowat, "Revolution and Recovery." *** ' * * British Home Products. In a foreword to the "National Mark Recipe Book" published by the Department of Agriculture of England, Mr Walter Elliot expresses his belief that "the home products are superior to imported foodstuffs in quality, flavour, freshness and, frequently, in nutritive value.” * * * * * Canadian Dairying.

The following extract from Chambers ’ Journal (England), May 2G, 1883, over 50 years ago, should be of interest to dairy farmers in this district: "Cheese and butter factories are rapidly on the increase in Quebec. There are now in the province of Quebec 280 cheese factories, 47 butter factories, and 28 cheese and butter factories combined, which shows an increase of no less than 155 establishments during the year." • • • t • Rabbits and Gorse. An English journal reports that on the Dorset coast and on certain parts of the coastline of the Moray Pirth rabbits are very numerous and as the grass is not sufficient for their needs they feed largely on the gorse. Not only do they eat the gorse shoots from the ground, but they walk over the crowns of the plants, nibbling the

young shoots as they grow. Genera-

tions of rabbits have trimmed these .crowns so closely, and have trod'den them down so firmly that a child might now walk upon them. * * * * * Why I Live in the CountrySt. John Ervine, in "The Countryman," writes: "I live in the country because I like living in the country. I like the country because, except w T hen townspeople are about, it contains no clatter; because one can have solitude in it; because one can live near to growing things and enjoy the bless-' ings of fresh fruit and fresh vegetables and not be dependent upon stale stuffs and things out of tins; because one can have a sense of community; because one can still live like a human beijj£ and not like an overworked machine; and finally because, as I said at the start, I like living in the country." ****** Agriculture the Foundation. "It is made clear by every process of logic and 'by the proof of historic fact that the wealth of- a nation, the character of its people, the quality andpermanence of its institutions are all dependent upon sound and sufficient agricultural foundation." —James J. Hill. *****

Birds and Agriculture. It has been estimated that 10 per cent, of the world’s agricultural products is destroyed by insect pests. The wise farmer will adopt and practise the slogan, "feed the birds and protect the early vegetables and crops." ***** Forests and Birds. Erosion of top layer soil is leaving a ruinous toll in many parts of this Dominion and farmers are urged to plant trees on all wastelands. Conserve our forests and protect our native birds. Without insect-eating birds there would- be no profitable ■crops. Destroy the forests and you destroy the birds. The forests and birds of New Zealand are a glorious heritage. Remember —August is Bird Month.