BY THE WAYSIDE

Hawke's Bay Tribune, Volume XXV, Issue 232, 17 September 1935, Page 11

BY THE WAYSIDE

Topics of Farming Interest

AMENDED BUTTER BOXES Hour amending clauses to the Dairy Industry Act relate to the specifications iu respect of export butter boxes. With a view to eliminating mould growth on butter boxes it is proposed to prohibit the use of rotary-cut timber for the manufacture of butter boxes. The timber to be used must be sawn timber and the ends of all boxes must be planed smooth on both sides. The thickness of boards for the standard box, the sub-standard metal-bound box and the saranac box are to be of the dimensions at present prescribed in “dry finished thickness.”

A report published by the Imperial Economic Committee shows that iu 1934 the United Kingdom was again the world’s best customer for dairy produce. In the case of butter British imports represented 85 per cent, of the total butter entering into world trade. This is reflected in the home consumption of butter, which was 25.2 lb. per head last year, representing an increased average consumption of 6J lb. per head since 1930. New Zealand fdr the first time supplanted Denmark as the principal source of imported butter.

“The yield of citrus fruits in the Dominion is gradually increasing, and in this connection it may be noted tnat tho Boorman orange is increasing iu popularity and coming into use as a good substitute for imported grapefruit. Tho production of lemons is ex cellent as regards quantity, but the marketable quality of many of these home-grown lemons is greatly depreciated through failure to subject them to a proper grading and curing process. If all our lemons were properly graded and cured there would be little need for importations of this fruit,” states the annual report of the Director-Gen-eral of the Department of Agriculture

The Prime Minister, Mr Forbes, himself a Canterbury sheep farmer, is a strong advocate for wool research. Some years ago he introduced a Private Bill in the House, proposing a woo) levy for research work funds. The measure failed to pass the House, however During his recent visit to Britain, Mr Forbes spent some time at the Torridon Wool Research Station. He states that “the results which were being obtained were most gratifying. In view of the keen competition from other fabrics, we must do everything we can to safeguard the future of our wool, and it is of the utmost importance that research should be continued in order that wool may be able to maintain its posi tion in the world markets.” * * *

At all auctions of Guernsey cattle in America during 1934, the remarkably high average of £57 per head was paid. While the £2OOO paid for one animal did much to raise the breed average, there were others which sold at low rates, and the average of £57 per head is a true indication of the keen demand for this great breed. Without any spectacular figures, prices are still rising, and sales last year increased bv 25 per cent., which is the truest indication of a breed's popularity. # * ’« Stocks of wool in Victoria on June

'J! totalled 32,354,708 lb., according to . I'o Government statist, compared with I 98 005 “s'l lb. on the correqmnilbi'; date in 1934. Him; brokers held 8 15-1.558 1 lb. of shorn 001, 34,760 lb. of fellmoll-