FARMING NEWS.

Manawatu Standard, Volume LIX, Issue 21, 23 December 1938, Page 12

FARMING NEWS.

RURAL RAKINGS. Maori Farming. Native development schemes in tho districts for which Rotorua is the centre have just completed shearing operations, dealing with 57,000 sheep in the various sheds. This represents a considerable increase upon the number shorn last year, and at an average price of £l2 a bale run resents a value of approximately £12.000 54 Bushels Per Acre.

Queensland is more noted for its beef than its wheat—it supplies seveneighths of Australia’s beef exports—hut a Darling Downs farmer has produced 54 bushels of wheat to the acre, the grain yielding 2001 b to the bag. It was of the Sea Spray variety, and was taken off a 100-acre planting on portion of a creek flat. The ground was part of a former dairy farm and has been exceptionally well worked. Decreased Production.

Tho production of the Te Awamutu Dairy Company, during last month showed a decrease of' 101 per cent on the production for the corresponding month last year, according to a statement issued this week. The production for the month totalled 314 tons of butter, as against 350 tons in November, 1937. The pav-out for November on a basis of Is 2ld a lb finest Quality, was £34,432. In November, 1937. the pav-out totalled £34.652, the basis being Is Id a il> finest quality. Thefts of Sheep..

Measures incorporated in the Stock Amendment Act, 1938 for the prevention of the theft of sheep and lambs from farms were outlined by Mr G. E. T. Dorman, secretary of the Southland. Lorry Owners’ Association, to a meeting of the Southland provincial executive of the Farmers’ Union, a few days ago. He said that lorry drivers would henceforth carry a consignment book which would have to be signed by the farmer, the driver and the freezing works authorities, for each load of stock. Cartage of stock at night would be permitted, but there was ,a heavy penalty for any neglect to have the consignment notes in order. “Wonder Berry.”

Similar, to the loganberry, and the blackberry, the n-w American Boysen berry /has been successfully grown. in New Zealand riiis season. The first grower of the berry was Air Rudolf Boysen, a Californian, who, about four years ago, erased the three berries from which it was derived—raspberry.; loganberry and blackberry. He saved only two or three of tho plants and had them growing, neglected, on the edge of his citrus orchard. Other fruitgrowers' noticed the berry, and the attention of the Department of Agriculture was drawn to it. It is now the mainstay of a large canning industry in the United States.