FARMING PURSUITS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLIV, Issue 1076, 24 July 1924, Page 5

FARMING PURSUITS.

IMPORTANCE OF DAIRYING. “The dry summer to some extent reduced the production of grass, cereals, and fodder crops, and as a consequence the- output of butter was somewhat affected, but nevertheless the total value of tho dairy-pro-duce of all kinds exported during the year was well ahead of that for the previous year, the respective figures being £18,576,474 and £16,207,053.” said the Prime Minister in the course of the Financial Statement last night. “The importance to the country of ihe- dairy industry is well illustrated by the fact of its exportable surplus being valued ai over 182 millions sterling. The wool-clip for the 1923-24 season was good, and in clean condition, and a marked continuous increas® in prices was maintained throughout the series of sales, the average price for the season being 16d per pound, against for the previous season The declared value of the wool exported was £15.265.264, as compared with £ll,955,567 for the previous period. The greater portion of the whole clip was sold at tho local auctions, the proceeds consequently becoming promptly available to growers. It is very satisfactory to record a substantial increase in the number of cattld and sheep in the Dominion, and also an addition to the number of pigs. In cattle the increase is almost wholly in the dairy classes and in sheep largely in the breeding ewes, and in both these directions a further increase may be expected. The health of all live-stock has been good. Lamb and mutton have realised very satisfactory prices during the year, especially lamb, and the prospects for a continuance of good returns are encouraging. The need of maintaining our export meat at the best standard of quality must never be lost sight of. Trial shipments of egg to the London market during the year were successful, and should lead to a development of this trade in the near future.

The quantity and value of the exports of the undermentioned products were as follows, the total value under these headings showing an increase of over six million pounds for the year: —Beef (frozen and .salted) £844,187; mutton and lamb (carcases) £8.615.619; other meats (including bacon and pork) £382,249 ; tallow, £852,471; Casings, £507,819; sheep-skins (woolly) and pelts £1,294.855; hides and skins £774.125; rabbit-skins £493,708 live-stock £106.430; other miscellaneous items £33.811; wool (bales) £15,265.264; dairyproduce £18,576,474; total, £47,747,012. “Owing to a reduction in the areas sown, and to unfavourable weather conditions during the growing-period, the production of wheat and oats showed a ‘ decrease, and it will bo necessary to import wheat and oats to the value of £1,250,000 before next season’s harvest is ready. The quantity of phormium hemp graded during the year shows an increase of nearly 0.000 bales. It is still necessary for millers to give greater attention to the output of fibre of a better and more uniform quality. “The prospects of the fruit industry are improving. The substantial assistance granted to growers by the Government guarantee of a penny per pound net return on fruit exported, and by the help afforded in other directions, has improved the conditions of the industry. The exports for the year wore not far' short of 150,000 cases, and for the current season will show an increase to over 240,000. ‘The export of honey is now well established, although the figures for the past year show a decrease, due mainlv to unfavourable weather conditions hating reduced tho season’s production. ‘The prospects of the pastoral, agricultural and horticultural industries of tho Dominion were never _ better than at present, and this, in conjunction with the high degree of intelligence and industry for which our rural population is noted, give very substantial ground for confidence in, the future of the Dominion.”