NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Lyttelton Times, Volume XCIV, Issue 10786, 25 October 1895, Page 7

NOTES FOR FARMERS.

Bain has fallen at last, and crops and gnu are already showing great improremeat and making rapid growth. In soma of the more arid localities more rain is needed, hat, generally, the moisture is sufficient to reitoro activity to vegetation and remove apprehensions of scarcity of gnu. Wheat has in many cases come up very irregularly, and even where fed down the plant has not stooled out wall, but no doubt a few warm days will make a difference, and a fair crop yet be grown, Scotch meat is sent by night express from Aberdeen to the London market, and realises top prices. A committee has recently investigated its disposal and reports to. this effect; that to retain the preference foir prime Scotch meat and preferential prides Southfield market must ba avoided, oecanu it there got mixed up with every dau, and London customers were unable to recognise it. Butchers nowadays did acfC slaughter, but. bought from wholesale dealers those portions of the carcase they required, wherefore it was necessary to open special Scotch meat stores with refrigerating chambers, and, if needs be, r shops of two classes. The Weat End . i would sell prime joints, sirloins, rounds, ice, while shops in less aristocratic neighbourhoods would dispose of the hind and fore-quarters and inferior parts. To accomplish this capital, and competent management were requisite, aud the committee placed the former at £IOO,OOO. The Salisbury Government is pledged to do something in the interests of agriculture, and many questions have been put in the House of Commons, while the Agricultural Union through Lord Winchilaea have lost no time in memorialising thp Government on the matter. Among the various reforms named in the memorial ate the relief of agricultural land from its present excessive 'share of agricultural burdens, the prohibition of preferential railway rates for the carriage of foreign produce ; au Improved Agricultural Holdings Act; the marking of all foreign produce so as to show clearly the country of origin ; more effective checks upon the sale and adulteration of food. Precautions to be insisted on in case of meat, milk, and other produce imported from abroad equivalent to those to which the Britinn producers are forced to submit in the interests of the public health at home. The Government's reply has been that it could undertake nothing during the short session just closed beyond carrying the necessary Supply measures, ’but would give the• matter earnest consideration in the recess. Soma important action next session is anticipated. . -’; ; ■■■■ In the United States lucerne la known as alfalfa, and there is quite a rage for this fodder. It is announced that an alfalfa, palace will be one of the features of the Nebraska Stats Fair (show) at Omaha, aa' it is considered to ba very fitting that th® value of this “ great plant" should be .thus emphasized '* The building will be •bout forty feet square, and of tasteful architectural design, and the walls will be laid up of baled alfalfa bay. On exhibition in this building it is proposed to have beef, pork and mutton grown and finished on alfalfa ; butter and cheese from alfalfafed cows, and honey, sugar, syrup, wine And vinegar from the bloom of this remarkable forage plant.”