THE AGRICULTURAL REPORT

Mataura Ensign, Volume 17, 9 October 1894, Page 4

THE AGRICULTURAL REPORT

«» The above report extends to 236 pages Id addition to the report by Secretan Ritchie, it embraces reports of local stocl inspectors, dairy instructors, pomologists Government veterinarian, acting biologist etc. A large spice is occupied by Jthc • reports of Mr Valentine (the chief dairy exneit) and of Mr Kirk (acting biolosjist). In his remarks on dairying Mr Ritchie states that the number of creameries and cheese and butter factories at work this season is 178. an increase of seventy-four on last season. The condensed milk placed on the market by colonial factories is quite as good, if not superior, to the best imported, and ho is sure that the local article only requires to be better known in ordor to supersede the importations of 64,3401 b, valutd at L 14,219. With the milking machine which he saw in operation at Brookside, Canterbury, Mr Ritchie expresses himself as " very pleased indeed," and he adds : "I am of opinion that, with some slight improvements which will suggest themselves as the machine comes into general use, it will materially assist the development of the industry." Mr Ritchie remarks that the certain development of the dairying industry has led to the price of dairy cows having advanced by 40 per cent, over that ruling two or three years ago, and he thinks this rise is likely to bo maintained. As to the most suitable breed, he says " we must look for something that will produce beef as well as , milk, and I am therefore of opinion that a Shorthorn bull from a good miking strain is the most suitable," He estimates the increase in pigs during last year at fully 30 per cent., a result largely due to the operations of the In'ermarine Supply Company, which has opened a factory at Islington, near Cbristchuroh, for the manufacture of mess pork by a patent process, and has other works in the course of erection at Hastings. Everything favors an enormous expansion of this industry. With grain at present prices the return per bushel should be at least half as much more if fed to pigs than if placed on the market. On the subject of rabbits he states that he has made personal inspection during the past year of some of the worst infested districts of the cotoDy, and he reports a marked diminution. The rabbit inspectors' reports are also of a favorable nature, and they state as a cause of a decrease the excessive rainfall in the spring (which practically destroyed the first litter?), together with more united action of landowners. Much more, however, requires to be dene before the pest is reduced to reasonable limits. Mr liitcbie considers^that much better results would be obtained if the inspectors had po ver to compel all owners to poison at the proper seasons. Assistance to settlers in tie work of erecting rabbit-proof fencing would be money well I spent. The reports show that the " natural enemy " has, in several places, kept the pest in check, and is doing good work in some of the most inaccessible country. The central portion of the Canterbury district is reported to be praotically free from rabbits. In South Canterbury he found the pest more or less all over, but especially on what was formerly the Station Peak Eun. He condemns the use of traps and dogs in this district, and prefers poisoning, which will be generally resorted to this season. The South Canterbury fence is in- ex* celient repair, and has undoubtedly done good work. Mr Ritchie is informed that there will not be so many rabbit factoriesTn operation during ;""£nV coming season in Otago, and he is confident that this will eventually be found of benefit. He commends the New Zealand and Australian Land Company for erecting rabbit fences from the present South Canterbury fence, thence to Cattle Creek and tbe Hakateramea River. Mr BUckmore, the pomologist for the South Island, reports that the codlin moth has spread through the agency of , imported apple case 4 , and is now to be | found m orchards at Akaroa, Oamaru, Waimate, and Central Otago. Mr Sawers, the chief dairy instructor, states in his report that*" honorable mention " must be given to Mr Thomas ( Brydone, the superintendent of the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, Dunedin, and Mr John G-rigg, of Longbeach, for their efforts in extending the ' dairy industry. The labors of Mr Gr. Q-. Stead and Mr Murphy, of Guristoburch, and others also " call f<>r the highest | eulogy." Mr Sawers recommends that three additional competent and practical dairy instructors five in all) be obtained, and that the colony be divided into four divisions, wi'h one inspector in charge at each, as follows :— First division, Auckland and the Gisborne leotion ' of the Hawke's Bay district; second, Taraniki and part of Hawke's Bay and Wellington districts ; third, Marlborougb, STe'ion, Westland, and North Canterbury districts < fcurth, South Canterbury. Otago, and Southland districts. Mr Sawers has also a report on the "Brook* side patent milker," which invention he thinks well worth the serious and careful attention of "11 those connected with dairying.—' Lyttelton Times.'