Hawke's Bay Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1902. FARMING INDUSTRY.

Hawke's Bay Herald, Volume XXXVII, Issue 12265, 11 October 1902, Page 2

Hawke's Bay Herald SATURDAY, OCTOBER 11, 1902. FARMING INDUSTRY.

The annual report of the Department of Agriculture was laid on the table of the House towards the close of the session. The work of this department grows in importance, and the annual report is of increasing value to all those who make their living from the land. A t first the officers in charge to n large extent confined their labours to the collection of statistics. But for some years past this part of their duties, important as it is, hag been supplemented by others of still more weight, \Vo have records of all kinds of experiments conducted by skilled exports under teat conditions which may in time profoundly modify the methods in use in the colony. When we recollect the wonderful results which have accrued from the researches conducted at Rothampstead in England, in different parts of Prance, and on the various State experimental stations in America, we are encouraged to hope for much from the work of our own department. It is still in its infancy and it will in the nature of things take some time before any definite result may be reached, hut if it succeeds in interesting farmers in the scientific aspects of agriculture it will do a vast amount of good. It is sometimes said that farmers are not easily disposed to accept new methods and new ideas. The ways or their forefathers are good enough for them. That, however, is a state of mind which is daily becoming less possible. The pressure of outside competition will force our growers to utilise the best results of scientific study in order to cheapen production and to enable them to compete with other countries which have in some respects important advantages over us in this colony. The South African trade is still one of chief determining influences of our production. The effects of the Australian drought are hardly noticeable in the period under review, except in so far as they preventedthe Australian colonies from supplying the requirements of the Cape market. The demand for oats from this quarter has continued during the year, and from all appearances a considerable quantity will still be required, a number of steamers having been chartered to load for that country. Ws cannot help regretting that the Government had not shown a little more activity in arranging their South African service. Had this been in operation during the last year it would have found a considerable trade awaiting it in this article, and it would have enabled New Zealand produce to obtain a footing in the South African market under favourable circumstances. The service is now assured, hut it remains to be seen whether the opportunity has not passed. Our prospects are, of course, all the belter owing to the scarcity prevailing on. the other side. We cannot, however, count on the permanency of such a condition. The earlier shipments of grain to the Cape were, we are told, of very mixed quality and much had to be rejected at the ports of arrival. Here again we realise the advantage of Government grading, which, at all events, secure an even standard of quality. Other crops show not such good results. The area under wheat showed a large decrease, and it is expected that the rise in price will induce growers to extend their operations this season. The new crop, however, will he drawn upon for home consumption as early as possible, as the 1901-2 crop does not appear sufficient to meet requirements. Eye grass and cocksfoot also show a decrease, but the quality of the seed is said to he of high average. This is important, as the inspectors under the Noxious Weeds Act report that the spread of many of the weeds may be distinctly traced to impure seed. Complaints have been received that this Act is not enforced with sufficient stringency. Next season the staff of inspectors is to be increased and the work of inspection carried on more thoroughly. Iu some parts of our district the problem is much aggravated by the large areas of native land, which are practically nurseries for all kinds of vegetable pests. If the Maori could be taught to keep his ground clean we should have gone far to get rid of the nuisance.

The poultry trade is making steady progress and shows how much can be done by judicious State assistance in the earlier stages of an industry. The demand for eggs and birds from the various experimental farms has largely increased and the export trade has grown beyond all expectation. This again is largely due to the South African requirements. In this line shippers speak highly of the dressing, packing and grading, as well as of the quality of the article supplied. The dairy business has also shown much progress. London advices show that New Zealand butter is closing on the Danish article, which tops the market. The output of butter for the year under review reached 219,493 cwt, valued at £983,224 as against 184,553 cwt valued at £790,160 for 1900-1. The dairy inspectors report favorably on the bulk of dairy premises from which the milk for local consumption is drawn. The extension of the regulations to apply to all dairies and the appointment of further inspectors will be taken in hand at an early date. With regard to the export of meat, the report states that if the number of individual consignments could he lessened and the whole of the output confined to a few agents there would bo a prospect of regulating the supply according to the demand. At present there does not appear to be any great attempt made on the part of consignees to regulate the supply. The question of opening up new markets should also receive more attention. Home such scheme as that advocated by Messrs Nathan and Orbell years ago appears to he the oMf way out of the difficulty. A £kwv feature of the business has cropped up since their scheme was published , that is, the large amount of ci.f. husinees now done. Purchases made on such terms could not well he brought into any scheme for the better dealing with our meat. The whole subject is, however, fraught with difficulties.