ON THE LAND.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1038, 10 June 1924, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

BUTTER AND CHEESE. GRADING FIGURES FOR AUCKLAND. AUCKLAND, June 9. Butter received for grading at the Auckland Farmers' Freezing Co.'s grading stores during May totalled ' 93,751 boxes, compared with 52,566 for tho corresponding month of last year, an increase of 41,185 boxes. This brings tho' total receipts for the season t 6 31st May to 1,415,931 boxes, against 1,436,496 for the corresponding period of last season, a decrease of 20,565. The figures for lust month show a«steady increase compared with May, 1923. Tho result is- that the deficit for tho season has been reduced from 61,740 boxes at the end of April to 20,565 at the end of May. By reason of this excellent autumn production, conipared with the falling-off in the earlier part of the season, it is anticipated that the total for the season will come within measurable distance of the record output for last season. Cheese received during May totalled 11,492 crates, against 6936 for May, 1923, an increase of 4556. This output for May of this year exceeds the total for the preceding month by 1349 crates. The cheese receivel to the end of May this season totalled 150,169 crates, compared with 102,526 for the corresponding period of last season, an increase of 47,643. BUTTER AND CHEESE PRICES. (Per Press Association.) WELLINGTON, June 9. The New Zealand Producers' Co-opera-tive Marketing Associations' weekly cabled report dated London, June 6, states: The butter market is firmer, New Zealand salted, 168 s to 170 s; unsalted, 180 s to 182 s; Australian. 156 sto 160s;-Irish, 168 s to 170 s; Argentina, 154 s to 160 s; Danish, 180 s ,j 183 s; Dutch, 170 s to 1745. Cheese.—Tho market is quietly steady, New Zealand white and coloured, 86s to 87s is ottered for fresh landed goods. Released stored cheese is being ottered at 80s to 84s, according to condition. Australian 78s to 82s; Canadian, new season's, 82s to 84s. Stocks at June 2nd were : New Zealand, 133,000 crates; Canadian, 4000 crates. same date las£__ year slocks were: New Zealand, 42,000 "crates; Canadian, 6000 crates. CONDITIONS IN ARGENTINE. DROUGHT EXPERIENCED. The New Zealand Meat Producers' Board has just received the usuul monthly letter from its South American representative in wiiich he gives some very interesting information regarding the general conditions applying to live-stock in the Argentine, lie writes as follows: "there is a .'urge offering of fat cattle, but the very best quality are scarcer, and some of the works have difficulties to get best quality chillers. The large stinging flies and other insect pests at this season of the' year cause much annoyance to live stock, and mobs of cattle can frequently be seen all crowded together in a circle with their heads down. Feeding or fat cattle lose condition under such persecution, which fortunately lasts for only about a month. Small native locusts have caused much damage fhis year eating the small leaves off the alfalfa, leaving only the stalks for the cattle and wjiich have no feeding value,, and for that reason large numbers of cattle are lacking in finish. A drought has ulso been experienced over a considerable part of the alfalfa zone near Villegas and further to the west, where rain is badly wanted on these light sandy soils that grow alfalfa well, though the tosca or soft stone prevents the roots from reaching permanent water —hence much rain is needed to nourish the plants. "The sheep grazing grounds principally to the south of the province of Buenos Aires are very good as I could see the other day. Prices of store and breeding cattle are cheaper to.the west though maintained in the south "Prices of sheep have fluctuated somewhat during the month since 1 last wrote, according to entries at the local sheep market, though best quality hoggets are selling well. Considerable entries of sheep are still coming to hand. The three Argentine plants on <he south coast killed 227,169 head of sheep to the end of February. Several boats have already gone there to load. Swifts'prices are as follow : Chillers, 3.576 din works; Continental, 2823 d; chiller cows, 2.259 d; canners, 1 882 dto 2.070 d ; .calves, 2.823 d ; bulls, 1 694 d. Sheep : Wethers,' 6.583 dto 6.964 d ; ewes, 4.706 d to 4.894 d; lambs, hoggets, 8.282 d to 8.847 d." EXPORT OF HONEY. OUTLINE OF PROPOSED CONTROL ' BILL. CHRIS'TCHURGTI, June 5. A committee set up by the Beekeepers' Conference, submitted an outline of proposals for the framing of a Honey Export Control Bill, and the formation of a con-, trol board to-day. Tho proposed bill, designed for the purpose of controlling the honey industry in New Zealand, is in two parts. (1) dealing with powers of tho board; (2) for levies and machinery. Part 1 provides that tho control of honey intended for export shall be vested in a board, to be known as the export control boarch' Tho board is to consist of three members, one nominated by the Government and the remaining two to be elected by tho occupiers of apiaries registered under the Apiaries Act, who exported honey during the previous three years. The export control board will have authority to make such arrangements as it thinks" necessary for, (a) the grading, packing, handling and storage of honey; (b) tho shipment of such honey on such terms and in such conditions as it thinks fit; (c) the display of such honey at loca exhibitions or elsewhere; (d) the sale and disposal of such honey on such terms as it thinks advisable; (e) the insurance against loss of any such honey either in New Zealand or in transit, from New Zealand and until disposed of; -(f)' generally all such matters as are necessary for the due discharge of its functions in handling, distributing and disposing of honey. The board will have full authority to give security over any honey intended for export for tho purpose of securing advances made to the board or to the owner at the request of the board. . Part 11. provides that after a date to be fixed by the Governor-General in council, there shall be payable by way of a levy on all honev intended for export such charges as may from time to time be prescribed by regulations under the Act. The conference resolved that the proposals of the committee be forwarded to tho Minister of Agriculture, urging him to have a bill based thereon prepared for presentation to Parliament during the coming session. ... ERADICATING WOOLLY APHIS. (Per Prose As"ooi»tion.) NELSON, June 9. Reports from the Auckland district continue as to tho definite and complete success of the aphelinus mole, the natural cnemv of woolly aphis, which was successfully'introduced into New Zealand by the Cawthron Institute. T Mr G. A. Green, secretary of the Zealand Nurserymen's Association, stated to-day that as soon as aphelinus is introduced into the orchard it increases with almost incredible rapidity, and very soon the aphis disappears almost as if by magic. The aphelinus is also proving useful in the destruction of citrus aphis, which it destroys in large numbers Aphelinus has also cleared up tho Nelson orchards of woolly aphis to a marvellous extent.

At a meeting of those interested in the dairy industry held at Stratford on Saturday, it was resolved that the Department of Agriculture bo urged to establish at an early date a bacteriological and rosearch laboratory, specially adapted to the need* of the dairv industry, also urging the Taranakl dairy factories to establish in the province a training school .for dairy factory employee*

AIDS TO DAIRYING. MR MCCULLOCH'S RONGOTEA LECTURE. An interesting lantern lecture was delivered at the Rongotea Hail last night by Mr JV. J. McCullooh, of the fields division of the Department of Agriculture on the economic feeding of the dairy cow and the culture and management of lucerne. The lecturer paid special attention to the great value of supplementary fodders in dairying. ... At the outset Mr McCulloch said that the dairy cow was the most profitable producer of all kinds of stock if fed on a correct basis, but there was an urgent need to pay more attention to the provision of fodders to pupplement grass pastures and thereby increase the butter-fat yield. The farmer, he said, often failed to see that his pasture was his main asset and did not pay attention to the ways and means of making it do its best. Doaling with the supplementary feeding of cows in New Zealand, the speaker said that, on an average, they were only fed 3 or 4 hundred-weight of hay each in a. year, whereas it should be 10 to 12 cwt. of hay per cow, or its equivalent. Continuing his advocacy of supplementary feeding, Mr McCulloch said that in order to be a. good producer, a cow required 50 per cent, of its year's food from August to December, 30 per cent, from January to May, and 20 per cent. from May to August. This ratio could only be achieved by suitable supplementary feeding with crops, for the natural pasture produced as follows:—-70 per cent. August to December, 20 per cent. January to May, and 10 per cent. May to August. The lecturer proceeded to show, by means of ligures and statements projected on the screen, that it was more profitable to maintain one good cow than two low' producers, because both a good and a bad cow required the same amount of grass for maintenance, and the poor producers would eat about half as much additional fodder for butter-fat production, as the good cow, which produced twice as much butter-fat. He instanced his contention by. stating that, supposing both a good and a. bad cow each needed 10 tons of grass per annum for maintenance, and that a 4COlb. cow required 23 tons for feed, the poor cow producing about 2001bs. would still require at least half the 23 tons for its low production. lie then dealt witn the growing and relative values of various supplementary crops. At the conclusion of his address, Mr McCulloch was accorded a hearty vote of thanks. ■ RABBIT CONTROL. APITI-POIIANOINA BOARD. The moiulrij meeting of the ApitiPohangina Rabbit Hoard was held at hangina on Saturday, when there were present : Messrs A. Brooking (m the chair;, J. Mcimvre, T. E. Craine and If. L. Osborne. Leav»*of absence was granted Messrs Stewart and Mackley. . The inspector reported that he had visited nearly every property in the board's aiea, and ho had" found that an effort was being made by most farmers to destroy rabbits, with the result that, on the majority ot places, a reduction of £0 per cent had made. There still remained a few instances in 1 which little or no work had been done recently by farmers, but this was due largely to the bad weather. He had notified all property owners to thoroughly pouon their land by the end of the present month, and he believed that this would be accomplished successfully. Fair results iiad Leon obtained in some parts of the Eidgc road district by the use of carrots and strychnine. There was still on hand a sufficient supply of pollard poison.—The report was adopted, the inspector being instructed to experiment with poisoned barley. Mr Craine gave notice to move at the next meeting: "That a rate of 2d per acre be struck on all the land comprising the board's district, the rate to be for the period commencing January 1. 1924, and ending December 30. 1924, and to be payable on August 1, 1924." The clerk reported that ihe board's tndit balance stood at £728 13s Bd. The clerk was instructed >o make inquiries with regard to interest obtainable for deposits at call, or in three moi-Oss. Accounts amounting to i/41 t's I'.d were passed for payment. THE MORATORIUM. POSITION OF THE FARMERS. CHRISTCHURCH, June 5. That tile expiration of the moratorium at the end of the year is restricting farm output was the view expressed by Mr J. D. Hall, retiring president of the I r armcrs' Union Provincial Conference, in course of his presidential address to the conference. "The matter of renewing or rearranging the mortgages on our farms in view of the expiration of the moratorium on December 31 is one which deserves your serious consideration," said Mr Hall. "It is extremely difficult to ascertain how many mortgages there are which are subject to the moratorium and with regard to which no arrangements have been made for renewing the loans. If there are a substantial number in this position and their liability to repay their loans at the end of the year arises, there will be something in the nature of a crisis, and that will not confer any real benefit on anybody. No one wants to see farmers looking for a job and no one wants to see farms lying idle. I believe that the present Government would sympathise witli and try to arrange some way for these farmers to carry on, if there is any reasonable prospect of their being able eventually to meet their obligations. The trouble is to find out how many there are, arid who they are, and until that is ascertained it is useless to appeal to the Government for any special measure of relief. "If nothing is done many of the mortgagors will have to leave their farms with nothing. The mortgagees will not be able to sell the mortgaged properties. How can they, when there may, perhaps, be hundreds of these farms and very few purchasers? There are, perhaps, somo mortgagees who have sold at boom prices and are waiting to get the land back, plus anything they may have received in the way of deposits, and these men can go in and start work on these farms at once, so that there will not be any serious interruption in the farm work. If that is the position with regard to many farm mortgages, the union ought to try and do something to protect the mortgagors. s "If in somo way the Government could only ascertain how many mortgagors there are who want help, and there are bound to bo really a substantial number, I am sure that something could bo done aiud would be done to help them, The effect on farm output generally is that the farmers who have nothing settled aro not producing as much as they might." LONDON MARKETS. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Co., Ltd., have received the following cablegram from thek London house under date 6th inst.:—New Zealand frozen meat: No alterations. Latst quotations, 23/5/24, lamb 103 d per lb (average); mutton, wether and maiden ewe. light IJ-rl J -r per lb, heavy 6id per lb. heavy per lb; ewe, light s|d per lb. heavy 4ld per lb. New Zealand dairy produce: Butter, choicest salted. 168 sto 170 s per cwt: market firmer. Cheese : 82s to 36s per cwt; market steady.-

HOLSTEIN-FRIESIAN TROPHY. AMERICAN'S PRESENTATION. MR D. Fr WILBUR'S GIFT. Some time ago it was announced that Mr D. F. Wilbur, formerly American Consul in New Zealand, had decided to present a trophv to the Manawatu and W est Coast A. and P. Association to be competed for by . the Holsioin-Friesian breeders throughout the Dominion annually. Further particulars are contained in the columns of the Onenata Star, an American journal, a recent copy of which is to hand. Describing the trophy, the journal states:—The subject consists of a massive silver vaso with cover and is. mounted upon an ebonv base and 'enclosed in a solid niahogany cabinet. The total height, including base, is 54J, inches. The vase is of Grecian outline, with ornamental handle, festoons of laurel leaves and borders of laurel.leave's. The cover is surmounted by a silver i model of a Holstcra-Fnesian bull, which has been coloured true to nature through the silversmith's art in oxidizing the dark spots and in bringing out the pure white. This particular feature had to be made true to type and was specially modelled for this trophy, and it will prove the outstanding feature of the trophy to breeders, who will recognise its accuracy and perfection. The raised etching inscription on the side of the vaso is: '-The Wilbur Remembrance Trophy presented to Manawatu . and West Coast "A. and P.' Association, by Hon. David F. Wilbur. Consul-Ceneral, U.S.A., New Zealand, 1921-1923, for the best Friesian group; consisting of bull (over two years), aged cow, three years old, and two-year-old heifers. First competition, November, 1924." The trophy will be forwarded to NewZealand and will be retained by the association as a permanent exhibit at the ex-position-grounds, Mr Wilbur will provide the association each year with a miniature or replica of the trophy, which will become the property of the winner for that year. The gift of Mr Wilbur is a token of appreciation for the numerous courtesies extended to him during his sojourn in that country. On four occasions lie was the guest of the association at its permanent exhibition and during his sojourn there the officers were among his best friends. They rendered him valuable aid and. the breeders of the black and white cattle were among his warmest personal friends.

Upon his return to America, .after his wide experience in the consular service, he expressed himself as cherishing a hearty regard not only for the country but for the people of New Zealand, aud the trophy is in the bigger and broader sense an evidence of this esteem.

The Agricultural and Pastoral Association is one of the largest of the agricultural fairs of the country and is doing much to promote the industry. In forwarding a token of his regard for the people of the country, it was quite natural that he should turn to the breeders of the cattle in which lie was for so many years actively interested in this" country, and that the association which had been his host on several occasions should be the medium of the presentation. LONDON MARKETS. LATEST QUOTATIONS. The Department of Agriculture \ has received the following cablegram, dated 6th Juno, from the High Commissioner for New Zealand, London, with prices as at that date : Butier.—Market uncertain. Official quotations are:—New Zealand salted finest 168 s to 170 s per cwt (Is sjd to Is 6d per lb); uiisalted 180 s to 182 s per cwt (Is 7sd to Is 7Jd per lb) ; good to line. 154 s to 162 s per cwt (Is 4id to Is s|d per lb). Australian : Salted finest, 156 s to 160 s per cwt (Is 43d to Is 5Jd per lb) ; unsalted, 164 s to 166 s per cwt (la sid to ls-52d per lb); other qualities, salted 130 s to 152 s per cwt (Is 2d to Is 4id per lb) ; unsalted 136 s to 162 s per cwt (Is 2jd to Is 4,'id per lb). Argentine : l£4s to 160 s per cwt (Is 4id to Is s l d per lb); other qualities, 133 s to 152 s per cwt (is 2vd to Is 4Jd per lb. Danish: Finest 130 sto 183 s per cwt (Is 7Jd to Is 7id per lb). Cheese.—Official quotations are : English finest, farmers' ,140 s to 145 s per cwt (Is 3d to Is per lb). Canadian: Finest (new coloured 83s to 84s per cwt (BJd to 9d per lb); white, 83s per cwt (BJd per lb) ; fine coloured and white, 80s per cwt (Bid per lb). New Zealand: Finest coloured and white, 86s to 88s per cwt (9!d to 9id per lb) ; fine, coloured. 84s to 85s per cwt (9d per lbj; white, 85s per cwt (9d per lb). Australian : Finest coloured, 80s to 82s per cwt to BJd per lb); line, coloured, 78s per cwt (Bid per lb). Hemp.—Manila market inactive all this week and no sales leported. Quotations for "J" grade May-July shipments £3B to £33 10s and value. New Zealand market unchanged. Wool. —The coming holidays are causing quite a business and there is no change in prices for tops, except 40's prepared (coarse crossbred) 2s 3jd Apples.—Anplos ex lolnic practically disposed of at last week's prices. Maimqa and Port Brisbane now discharging. Condition of Port Brisbane apples superior to any previous shipment, but some ex Maiinoa wasty and overripe. Prices for fruit ex latter vessel are: —Stunner, 15s to 16s ppr case: Statesman. 15s to 16s; Delicious, 14s to 16s; Jonathan. 12s to 15s; Pioneer, London Pippin, Dunn's Favourite, Cleopatra. Rome Beauty and Stark, all 14s to 16s. A further report on this shipment will be forwarded next week, also, prk.\s for Port Brisbane fruit. Tasmanian apples are in poor condition and low prices obtained. AUCKLAND WINTER SHOW. DAIRY PRODUCE AWARDS. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, June 9. The Dominion Industrial Exhibition and Auckland Winter Show will be officially opened by Air Massed to-morrow afternoon. A high standard has been set in the dairy produce classes, entries in which total over three hundred from all parts of New Zealand. The principal awards are: BUTTER. Box suitable for export. —Kaitaia Cooperative, 94 points, 1; . Cambridge Cooperative, 93i, 2. Box suitable for export, manufactured under most favourable conditions. —Cambridge Co-operative, 94i, 1; Whangaroa, Bay of Plenty, and Levin Co-operative, 94 " (equal), 2.' Box suitable for local trade.—Cambridge 95, 1; Hikurangi, Masterton and Shannon. S4i (equal), 2. Champiomhip of Auckland. —New Zealand Co-operative Dairy, Ngatea, 94i, 1 and Frank M. Winstone Challenge Cup. CHEESE. Coloured, suitable for export.—Ngaere Co-operative Dairy Coy., Taranaki, 95 points, 1; Dalefield Company, Carterton, 94A, 2. Case, white, suitable for export, manufactured under most favourable conditions. —Pembroke Dairy Co., Otago, 95A, 1; Waimana, 95, 2; Pihama Company, Taranaki, 3. Case, white or coloured, suitable for export, made under most favourable conditions. — Nireaha Company, Eketahuna, 96 points, 1; Tiratu Company, Hawke's Bay, 95, 2; Collingwood Company, Nelson, 94j, 3.

Medium coloured, for local trade.— Okain's Bay and Opottriao, Bay of Plenty, 95 (equal)," 1. Championship of Auckland, coloured or white, for export.—Horsham Downs, Hamilton, 95, 1. ■ Medium, made by first assistant, for local trade. —Tiratu, 95j>, 1; Pihama, 944, 2; Ngaero and Mangatoki, 94 (equal), 3. Loaf, coloured. —Tiratu, 95, 1; Horowhenua t 94£, 2; Dalefield, 94, 3.

VOLUNTARY WHEAT POOL. >VEST AUSTRALIAN RESULTS. PERTH, Juno 9. The voluntary wheat pool last season received approximately 10.250.000 bushels out of 15,000.000. The price realised was 4s 6d per bushel. —Press Association.

HEMP, TOW AND SLIPS. The following return shows the quantities of hemp, tow, stripper-tow, and stnp-per-slips graded at the ports of the Dominion during the month of May: Hemp.—The total number .of bales graded was 6725, as compared with 4902 for the corresponding.month last year, an increase of 1823 bales. For the twelve months ended 31st Mav, 1924, 65,882 bales were- graded, as against 59.161 for the previous twelve months, an increase of blil bales. • •Tow—During the month 1432 bales were graded, as against 1159 bales in May 1923, an increase of 273 bales. For the Twelve montlis ended 31st May, 1924, 15.703 bales were graded, as compared with 15,641 lor the previous twelve months, an increaso of 62 bales. " .„ Stripper tow.—During the month 100 bales were graded, as against nil in 19^. Stripper slips.—s 4 bales were graded, as compared with 19 bales in May, 1923, an increase of 35 bales. NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW. Show preparations are now being pushed on in order to be ready for next week's big event. The current year is to be a most important one ill the history of the association as great improvements to the grounds, and buildings are in contemplation. The new president (Mr J. A. Nash, M.P.J has already demonstrated the fact that there is still "corn in Egypt." but he cannot get very far without. " the cordial and sincere support of his committee, the association's members supporters and the general public of this town and district. The National Dairy Show is one of the association's sources of revenue and by giving cordial support to tms function our readers will be helping on the work. The members of the committee have responded readily to the president's slogan "new members,'' which nas so far been responsible for a very creditable addition to the roll. The value of the privileges is without doubt the best in the Dominion and if membership is taken out now prior to next week's show-

it will include the fixture as well as the first Royal Show in November. Membersrar* asked to push the good work along. Tlie association is in the forefront now, but ft good strong lift will make its .position absolutely unassailable. ; ■»..... _,