BY THE WAYSIDE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXIV, Issue 94, 4 April 1934, Page 11

BY THE WAYSIDE

Of Interest to Farmers

MODERATE GRASS GROWTH The weather is still variable and uncertain in the Ormondville district. After several hot days, rain fell during last week, this being accompanied by a fall of 13 degrees in temperature. The rain was much needed as pastures are again very dry. On sheltered farms the grass had made moderate growth throughout the summer, but on •more exposed properties the wind tins dried up the land and feed is already short. On several farms the feeding out of hay and roots has already commenced (states our Ormondville correspondent). « « • Very little cropping has been done around Ormondville this season, although on some farms there are some good crops of mangolds coming on and oats have been sown for early spring teed. Third crops of lucerne have already been cut and carried for hay on one farm, the weather conditions have been more suitable than at the other tunes when cuts have been taken. • • • Cows are dropping in their milkyields, although the cream quantities are keeping up fairly well. The Norsewood and faniaki dairy factories, the two factories operating in this district, both paid out 6d for last month's butterfat for finest. There is considerable difficulty being experienced this season in keeping the cream, and in consequence much of it is only first grade. A larger proportion than usual has been second-grade and some of tho cream has been returned to suppliers, « « * An illustration of the unusual season that has been experienced in Orinondville this year is given by the fact that in some cases apple trees are flowering for a second crop « » • A Southern visitor, with whom the writer was recently in conversation, expressed the opinion that farmers in tho Hawke's Bay district could make greater use of bees. “1 have seen

relatively few hives in the district,” he stated, "and in a pastoral province like this, there should be plenty of room for considerably more hives. The Hawke’s Bay honey that 1 have tasted in excellent and has a flavour all its own.” * « This incident reminds the writer of the story that is told of the town boy who went to stay in the country. Very ignorant of farming and country life generally, he absorbed all the information he could about the cows and sheep. When having his tea at the farm house that evening he noticed some comb honey on the table. "Oh!’’ he said, "I see you keep a bee as well 1” w « o Severe losses, involving thousands of cases, have been suffered by apple growers in Victoria and Tasmania by recent windfalls. So great has been the damage caused that it is now certain that Australia will not be able to provide its complete quota of exports fixed by the Apple and Pear Export Council last November, and enforced by regulations of the Federal Government. The opinion is gaining support that in order to ease the burden of the growers the regulations directing the elemination of "plain” grade and certain small varieties of fruit, should bo modified so that the quota can be filled. # « * Wild flowers and plants are to guide farmers in Britain in the choosing of the most suitable crops for their lands and the best times for planting. This new sqience is being studied at special stations established by the Ministry of Agriculture.