FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

Manawatu Standard, Volume XLVII, Issue 79, 2 March 1927, Page 5

FARMING AND COMMERCIAL.

NOTES BY “PLOUGHSHARE."' Land values. According to reporta, there are still dairy farms changing hands at fancy high prioes. Although thero ajb probably many who purchased land at high prices, and who are desirous of clearing themselves as woll as possible,' at the same time it'would be much better for us all .if we realised that dairy land is not worth as much at the present time as it was in boom days. It should be obvious that land is only worth so much, according to what it will produce. Our prices for datry produoe have receded considerably, and therefore land values must do so also; if tho purchaser does not study from this aspeot it will be almost a foregone conclusion as to the result

AVAILABILITY OP PLANT POOD. , The object of cultivation by tilling manuring and fallowing is to provide a succession of active or available plant food so that ae the nitrogen, phosphorous, potash, lime and other matters existing in the v soluble form are used up, fresh supflliee may. be ready to. take their place f the soil should run short of any ingredient of plant food it- is said to Be exhausted of that substance, and crops cannot bo grown till it is replaced in sufficient quantity. An excess of one substance will not make good deficiency of another; if a soil lacks potash, ah abundance of lime will not help it, and similarly though a soil be rich in nitrogen it will yet be incapable of growing crops if it has no phosphorus.

To have suocesa with lucerne the seed sown must be pure and of high germinating power and be of the highest possible vitality. The soil .must have lime, either as one of its natural constituents or the lime must be added. If it is found that the soil is drfcient, then the lime must be added and mixed with soil Some time Wore seeding. The land must be efficiently drained. The land must be fertile to a depth of at least nine inches. Beyond that depth the tap root in its search for water will take care of itself. No matter how carefully prepared, freshly ploughed land is not suitable for sowing. Do not leave your land in a rough state, use a roller or a plank float to level and smooth it. Do not be discouraged if you do not meet with success the first time. SUPERPHOSPHATE. The special value of superphosphate aa a manure is due to the fact that the phosphate is soluble in water, and therefore when used aa manure is washed into the soil in solution by the rain. In this way it becomes thoroughly distributed through the surface soil.. This leads to better distribution than can be brought about by mixing an insoluble powdered material with the soil.

The soluble phosphate when washed into tho soil is.'quickly converted into the insoluble state by the carbonate of lime and the compounds of iron and alumina present in. the soil. This is important as it ensures that the phosphate will not be washed out of the soil and lost in drainage. ,The advantage of using soluble phosphate is one of distribution only. The phosphate itself is quickly turned into an insoluble form and remains in the soil as an insoluble phosphate of lime, or as a phosphate of iron or of alumina. OF THE TEATS. Minor injuries and mild diseases of the teats are of much more serious import than many believe. No pimple, abrasion, er slight chap or cut should bo neglected. In winter chaps and cracks are of common occurrence, and are caused chiefly by the test being left wet or cold after the stimulating which is the result of stripping. Animals with pendulous udders often receive injuries from brambles and m other materials m the pastures. It is important in eases such as these that they should be sterilised, and softened by an emollient which will prove harmless if accidentally dropped into the milk pail. Such a lotion tofiy be made by dissolving loz of boracic acid and 3oz of glycerine in 40oz of water. After immersing the teat for a few minutes, it should be drained but not dried, so that a glycerinated film forms a protective as well as a softening agent. This method is recommended in a general sense for application to teats. Leaking teats are generally caused through injury to tho delicate sphincter musole which guards the entrance. The ; - forcing of milk by heavy fisted men operating with dry hands on heifers is a common cause. Warts are a frequent trouble; these can be treated.

GENERAL NOTES. Dairy men should never rely solely on skim milk for their pigs, and should make a point of haying supplementary feed for them as the milk becomes scarce. The number of pigs killed at Danish export factories for the year ending June, 1926, amounted to about four million animals. Change of locality frequently affects animals. . All animals appreciate an improvement in pasture and climate, and this fact should he kept in view when stocking up on a farm. All the different factors in exposure will have an influence on crops. Much will depend upon the prevailing winds and slope as well as other conditions. One of the advantages 'of ploughing in a fodder crop is that the entire mass is returned to the soil. Thorough drainage cultivation and now fodder crops all tend to diminish the ore of idle land. To attempt to produoe butter at a profit from an average herd, and under what we might term ordinary conditions, is useless. ... , f Starch is one of the most important carbohydrates produced by plants, and constitutes the larger part of dry matter of many crops. Constipation in sows and boars and cramp in young pigs are often associated with want of freedom and exercise. All animals on the farm are benefited by exercise. Every plant grown on the farm must find readily available in the soil the elements needed for its development. Unless these are present the plant cannot prosper. '

If the soil is lacking in elements necessary for certain crops, the farmer should either apply same or not attempt the raising of such. Most grass lands, especially on soils naturally deficient, in lime, will pay for dressings of this material from time to time. The beneficial action of lime is pais ticularly noticeable on grass land where organic matter has. been' allowed to accumulate, and the soil 'is consequently somewhat sour. Thin furrows are more easily reduced to a tilth than the thick ones as the weather has better opportunities of mellowing them and less horse-power is necessary to apply the mechanical force required to bring the clods within the influence of wind, rain and frost. > Peas should not be allowed to ripen before being cut. It is sufficient that the haulm should be yellow. Mangels should be injured aa little as possible when lifting, and the tops are preferably twisted off. Carrots must be dug with a fork, and stored in a similar manner to mangels. Superphosphate should not be mixed with kainet, the mixture being liable to form a sticky mass on standing. In 1925-26 4164 dairies for the supply of milk for public consumption were registered in the Dominion. In the housing of swine one of the points that should be watched is location; conxleration of the prevailing winds, drainage and arrangements of other farm buildings. There should be freedom from damp and draughts. "Everything associated with pig breeding .and feeding should bo kept in as sanitary condition as possible.

WELLINGTON STOCK EXCHANGEYESTERDAY’S BUSINESS. AND PRICES. At tho aftemon call yesterday a Bale of Bank of New Zealand shares at (JOs was made on the Wellington Stock Exchange, and the sales reported were Bank of Australasia at £l4 9s, Gear Meat at 36s 9d. and Electrolytic Zinc preference at 37s 3d, cum. dividend. There was a very good demand • for Government stocks and bonds', with buyers of the 4$ per cents, at £96 7s 6d, the 5 per cents at £9B 15s, and the 64 per* cents, at £IOO 17s 6d. Bank shares were firm, but there were few buyers. There were bids of 59s lOd for Bank of New Zealand, and £49. cum, rights, for Bank of New Souths Wales. Sellers quoted 31s for Commercial Bank of Australia, ordinary, £26 for Commercial Bank of Sydney. £8 8s 6d for English, Scottish, and Australian, and £ls 6s for Union Bank. Financial shares were firm. There were buyers of Equitable Building at £8 17s 6d, Metropolitan Building at £l3, N.Z. Guarantee Corporation preference at 21s 3d, and New Zealand Investment at 9s 3d. Wellington Gas- preference shares were steady at 16s 3d. Gear Meat shares were wanted at 35s 6d, Shipping shares were firm, with bids of 47b 3d, cum. dividend, for HuddartParker ordinary, and 21s for the preference shares, and 20s for Union Steam preference. There were buyers Cf Taupiri Coal shares at 21s 9d. and Waipa Coal at 14s 9d, Kauri Timber shares were steady at 265. There were bids of 36e for Staples and Co., 22s 6d for C. M. Banks, ordinary, and* 19s 6d for Wellington Queen’s Theatre. Yesterday’s buying and selling quotations were as under :

• Buyers. Sellers. N.Z. GOVT LOANS- £ a. d. £ s. d. 4* p.o. Ira. gtk., 1938 96 7 6 x 64 p.o. ditto, 1933 .... 44 p.oi Bonds, 1939 ... 96 7 6 44 p.c. ditto, 1938 ... 96 7 6 44 p.c. ditto, 1930 ... 97 5 0 54 p.o. ditto. 1933 ...100 17 6 54 p. 0., ditto, 1936 ...100 17 6 101 6 0 5 p.o. P.O. Ins. Stir:, 1929 98 7 6

SALES IN OTHER CENTRES. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 1. Sales; Inscribed Stock, 1927, 5 per cent., £9B 17s 6d; Auckland City Debentures, 1940, 5J per cent., £96 10s; New Zealand Breweries Debentures, 24s 3d; Bank of New South Wales, £49 2s 6d; South British Insurance, 565; Electrolytic Zinc, 36s 6d; Thames Theatre, 16s; Wilson’s Cement, 365; ICawarau, 3s 6d; Lucky Shot, 3s, 2s 9d: do., con., 2s 7d, 2s 6d. DUNEDIN, March 1. Sales: Milburh Lime and Cement, 3s 6d (2 sales). . Sales reported: 6 ' per cent. Inscribed bonds, 1927, £99; N.Z. Breweries, 51s.

EXCHANGE RATES. LONDON, Feb. 28. Foreign rates of exchange' on February 28, as compared with par rates, or as averaged first half of 1914, are as follow :

PRICES OF METAL. LONDON, Feb. 28. Copper. —On spot, £56 16s 3d per ton; forward delivery, £57 6s 3d. Lead.—£2B 10s and £2B 17s 6d. Spelter.—£3l and £3l 6s 3d. Tin.—£3ls 2s 6d and £304 2s 6d. Silver. —Standard 26Jd ' per ounce, fine 28 3-63.—A; and N.Z. cable.

ELECTRIC TRACTION. NEW ENGLISH~ASSOCIATION. LONDON Feb. 16. Lord Montagu of Beaulieu, anticipating that Britain, under the new electricity scheme, will soon be studded with battery-charging stations, has accepted the presidency of the new Electro-mobile Association. The object of the association is to promote electric traotion and stimulate public interest in simple electric motor cars.

DAIRY PRODUCE. The Dairy Produce Board has received the following market report 'from London, dated 25th February, 1927:—Butter; New Zealand finest jl6Bs. first 1665, unsalted 178 s to 180 s; I market very quiet. Australian finest, 1160 sto . 1645, unsalted 166 sto 170 s; i Argentine finest 154 s to 158 s, exceptional 160 s; Danish 190 s to 1925; [ Duach unsalted, 192 sto 1945; retail prices unchanged. Cheese: New Zealand white and' coloured 91s to 925; -Canadian finest white and coloured 96s to lOfe; Australian finest coloured 88s to 90s; market quiet. English finest farmers 116 s to 120 s; scarce. Retail prices vary from lid to Is. The' Board has also received advice from its agents in Canada, dated 26th February, as follows: Butter: Vancouver 39J cents (Is 7|d, New York 51 cents (2s lid), Montreal 41 centß (Is 8Jd); market unsettledBUTTER AND CHEESE.

INCREASE IN PRQDUCTION. AUCKLAND’S RECORD SEASON. Per Press Association. AUCKLAND, March 2.' How closer settlement, more intense cultivation through the use of fertilisers, and the favourable nature of tht season for dairying have benefited the Auckland province is repealed in returns prepared by the Auckland Farmers’ Freezing Company ■ of the butter and cheese received into store during the month of February and the season to date.' The record in production, which became evident as the season approached its flush, is being more than maintained, and in the history of the'industry in the province the season 1926-27 will occupy a prominent place. Since the beginning of July up to February 28 totals of 1,401,288 boxes of butter, and 127,350 crates of cheese have been received into store compared with 1,221,353 boxes of butter and 118,596 crates of cheese in the corresponding period of the previous season. The increases are 179,935 boxes in the case of butter and 8764 crates in the case of cheese. The great increase in production over the previous season, however,' becomes more apparent when the figures are reduced to terms of biitter-fat. So far this season the output has amounted to 73,501,5361 b of butter-fat, an increase of no less than 8,982,7851 b over that of the same period of the 1925 : 26 season.

BUTTER WANTED. FOR TROOPS IN CHINA. WAR OFFICE REQUIREMENTS. MTLBOURNE, Feb. 18. Cable advices have been, received by the Commonwealth Government from the High Commissioner’s Office, London, that the War Office requires quotations for supplies to British troops in China of good average quality butter (trade pack). The quantities mentioned are: 24,0001 b to be shipped to Hong Kong, March, 7; and a further 24,0001 b shipment, also to Hong Kong, March 10 j and nine tons, shipment, Shanghai. March 15. i; The Butter Control Board _ has been comunicated with and it is informing butter mtertsts in Victoria and the other States of tho War Office requirements.

, CANTERBURY MARKETS. ... Per Press Association, ./t i CHRISTCHURCH, March I. Oats are even duller than last week, with an easing tendency. To-day sales were recorded of B Cartons at 2s BJd f.0.b., 5.1., the equivalent of 2s Id on trucks; A Gartons for spread are quoted at 2s 44d to 2s 5d on trucks. A ■ few parcels havo been turned over at these prices, but local farmers are not offering the prices. There is a freer offering in the south, which has served to depress the price here. It is reported that sale of Algerians has taken place at under 2s on .trucks. Chaff is in a similiar position to oats. There is practically no inquiry, and merchants’ offers are limited to £3 a ton on trucks. . v

The tendency of a week or more ago for farmers to hold their wheat is not now so strong, and there have been sales at 5s 3d a bushel on trucks for Tuscan. Fowl wheat is .weak and sales have taken place at 5s 7£d f.o.b. Peas have oome back in value. The home market has developed .a decided weakness, and in tho course of a few weeks the price has slipped from 8s f.0.b., 5.1., to 7s. Quotations on trucks are 6s 3d a bushel. JPotatoes are the one product showing an average firmness, and £4 10s f.0.b.. 5.1., is still ruling. Onions are weak and sales at £2 15s on trucks have been recorded. .

WHEAT MARKETS. LONDON, Feb. 28. Wheat. —Cargoes are steady. Late rates are maintained. Part cargo by the Belpareil, to the Mediterranean, brought 53s 3d per quarter. Ten thousand tons of Australia February shipment sold in France: For delivery in April to Italy a sale has been made at 535. Parcels are in fair request at an advance of 3d per •quarter. Sales have been made: Ex Vedic, 56s 3d; ex Ferndale, 53s 6d; ex Helenus, 535. Liverpool futures: March, 10s 6Jd per cental; May, buyers, 10s 3gd; July, 10s 3Jd. —A. and N.Z. cable. NEW YORK, Feb. 28. Chicago wheat quotations; May, 1 dollar 37i cents per bushel; July, 1 dollar 32J cents; September, 1 dollar 30J cents. —A. and N.Z. cable.

S&OCK MARKET. Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Palmerston North, report having a fair entry of sheep at Marton sale on Monday, 28th ult., which sold as below: —Small b.f. lamiis, 6s lid, 7s sd, 10s 9d, 10s lOd; aged ewes 7s Id, 4-th to 5-yr ewes 18s, m.a. Southdown ewes 19s 6d, fat maiden ewes 23s 6d, 2-th Southdown rams, 7, 74, Bgns.

TARANAKI OIL WELLS, LTD. per Press Association. NEW PL i MOUTH, March 1. Taranaki Oilfields, Ltd., ' report: Waiapu No. 2 well, drilled to 450 feet in grey shale; drilling suspended for repairs; expect to 1 resume to-day. Taranaki No. 3 well: Erection rig; making good pjpgress; transport temporarily delayed by rain.

Three pests appear to be attacking the ragwort plant in Otorohanga district (states the local paper)- One is a small blue grub, which eats its way up the centre of the stalk, causing the flower to wither and appear to germinate. The next is a black'caterpillar, which eats the leaves off before it changes into a Red Admiral butterfly. The third is a fungus which attaches itself to the plant in low-lying land. It is to be hoped that one of the three will do something in order to check this terrible pest, which is spreading over the country side at a rapid rate.

THE WOOL MARKETS. KEEN COMPETITION AT NAPIER. GOOD PRICES~MAINT AIMED - ' , NAPIER, March 1. The fourth Napier wool sale concluded to-day. Competition was again keen and prices showed 'advances equivalent to those reported last night. The range of values is as follows: Corriedaie— d. d.

BUSINESS AT BRADFORD. LONDON,.Feb. 28. Bradford spinners report slightly better business, hut they are unable to operate in tops on to-day’s basis.— A. and N.Z. cable.

5 p.o. P.O. ditto, 1927 98 15 DEBENTURES— ' Makerua Drainage, 6 0 99 2 6 p.o., 1946 100 0 BANKS— Australasia — Commeroial of Auat. ’ 0 - (ord.) Commercial Banking • 7“ 1 11 0 Co. Sydney English,' Scottish and 26 0 0 Australian — 8 8 6 New South Wales ... 49 0 0 — New Zealand Ditto D, long-term 2 19 10 3 0 5 mortgage (5a) — 0 12 3 Union of Aust. FINANCIAL— 15 6 0 Equitable Bqilding ... Metropolitan Permanent 8 17 6 9 7 6 Building 13 0 0 — National Mortgage ... N.Z. Guarantee Oorp. — 3 17 6 (ord., 8s) — 0 10 5 Ditto (pref.) 1 13 — N.Z. Investment 0 9 3 . Well. Deposit Ar Mort. GAS0 10 0 Christchurch — 1 5 0 Wellington (pref.) 0 16 3 — Ashburton INSURANCE— — 5 0 0 National ■— ' 3 14 6 South British MEAT PRESERVING— ' 2 16 3 Goar 1 15 6 1 16 3 N.Z. Refrigerat. (10a) TRANSPORT— — 0 6 3 Huddart-Parker (ord.) 2 7 3 2 8 3 Ditto (pref.) 1 1 0 1 1 3 Union .Steam (pref.) ... 1 0 0 1 0 3 P. and 0. def. stock WOOLLEN— — 265 0 0 Wellington (ord.) COAL— — 6 7 6 Taupiri (ord.) 1 19 — Waipa TIMBER0 14 9 . Kauri 1 6 0 — Leyland-O’Brien — 2 1 0 Rotoiti — 1 0 0 Taringamutu — 1 6 0 - National BREWERIES— — 0 15 6 Staples and Co MISCELLANEOUS— 1 16 0 — C. M. Banks (ord.) ... 1 2 6 — Ditto (pref.) — 0 18 0 Burns. Philp, and Co. Dental and Medical — 2 2 6 Supply v Electrolytic Z i n o — 0 17 6 (ord.) 1 17 3 Ditto (pref.) — 1 17 9 ' National Electric — 0 17 6 N.Z. Paper Mills Wgth. Queen’s Thea- — 0 19 0 tre * 0 19 6 —

' * A* ' Feb. 28. Par. Brussels belgas to £1 24.88 — Paris, francs to £1 .... ' 123.95 25.22Jf Stockholm, knr to £1 18.16 18.12 Oslo, knr. to £1 .. 18.69 18.12 Copenhagen, knr. to £1 18.20 18.12 Berlin. Reichsmark to £1 20.46 ‘ Rome, lire to £1 .. 110.87 25.22 Calcutta, pence to rupee 17 15-16 24 Yokohama, pence to yen 243-16 24.43 Hongkong, pence to dol. 25| 24 Montreal, dols. to £1 4.85J 4.866 New York, dols. to £1 4.85i 4.866 Amsterdam, florins to £1 12.115 12.107 Batavia florins to £1 12.12 ~- i

Average' up to ... 174 Southdown— Super ' ... ... 171 to 19 Average ... 16 to 17$ Inferior. ... ... 15 to 15J Medium halfbred— Super ... ... ... ...'■ 17 to 185 Average ... 14 to 16$ Inferior ... 124 to 13$ Coarse halfbred— Average ... 14 to 151 Super ... ... 161 to 18$ Inferior ... 12$ to 1S4 Fine crossbred— Super ... ... 15 to 16$ Average ... 13$ to 141 Inferior- ... Ill to 121 Medium crossbred— Super ... ...- ... ... 14 to 15 Average ... 11$ to 13$ Inferior ... 10 to 11 Coarse crossbred— Average ... .... 12 to 131 Inferior ... ... 101 to H Low crossbred — 1 Average ... Ill to 12 Inferior ... ... ... ... 9$ to. 10$ Hoggets— 48-50 ... 15 to 17$ 46-48 ... ... ... 13$ to 15$ 44-46 .». ... 12$ to 14} 40-44 ... 10$ to 12$ Lambs — Fine ... ... ... ... 15 to J.91 Medium ... ... 14 to v 17i Coarse ... ... 101 to-To! Seedy and inferior ... 5 to 12$ Pieces. ... 13 to 16 j Necks ... ... ..T Crossbred — Good to super ... 12 to 14 Low to medium ... ... 8$ to 11$ Seedy and inferior ... 6 to 8 . Bellies. - . . i Crossbred— Good to super ... ... 10 to 11$ Low to medium ... ... 7 to 11$ Crutchings— Medium to good ... ... 8$ to 10$ Inferior and seedy ... 6 to 7 Locks ... 5 to 6$