The Farmer

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2123, 15 May 1922, Page 2

The Farmer

The New Zealand Farmers’ DairyUnion is paying- out 1-3* per lb. for last month’s supply of butter-fat. in March the factory handled 103,0001bs of butter-fat and in April 91,000. A reduction in the quantities continues, but it is remarkably small for the advanced stage of the season. This in indicated by the fact that last year—though from a smaller number of suppliers—the March figures were 03,000 lbs. The following month there was a drop to 49,000, Friesian cattle arc the most numerous of any breed within the United States to-day by more than .100,000 over any other breed of cattle. The 1920 census gives 528,012 us tire number of purebred Friesians, while the Shorthorns are next, with only 418,995. Third in rank comes the Hereford breed with 450,580 purebreds, Jerseys number 221,834, Abcr-deen-Angus 108,524, Guernseys 79,445 Polled Durban 01,755, Ayreshire 30,494, Brown Swiss 8130, Galloway 6920, Devon 1194. unspecified beef breeds 38,079. The total number of pure bred cattle is 1,981,514, of which .1,084,912 belong to the beer breeds and 910,002 to the dairy breeds. The following resolution was passed at a meeting of directors of the Maharahara Dairy Company on Friday last: — "The Directors of the Maharahara “Co-op. Dairy Co., .Ltd., compliment “their muanger (Air. A. Gulliver), on “the excellent results of the quality “of the cheese he has manufactured “at the Maharahara Factory lor the “year ending 31st March, 1922. The “average grade for that period was “93.18. Tho quantity graded was “2819 crates. The average grade, is “the highest in the Dominion tor the "period, and they considet that it “speaks well for the pastures ot “Southern Hawke’s Buy. and also lor “the skill of Mr. Gulliver as a cheese“maker.” “1 had been on the Ruukura State Farm for some time before I realised what it was that, pave to the whole surroundings a distinctiveness different. from anything 1 had seen in a three-weeks’ tour ol Hie Asland,” said a southern visitor on Wednesday. "What had impressed nim ” he, said, "was the admirable system of tree-planting that had been put into operation there. Apart from the real factor of shelter belts, there is the general appearance to be. considered.# 1 cannot help thinking Ilia, if each settler adopted the same form of systematic tree-planting-, not only would he directly increase the value of ins holding, but ho would do his part in adding to the beauty and charm of the whole countryside. Ol minor importance, but ol great \alue is the planting such as the drive to Ihe homestead; here is an example o) beauty with economy. Once the trees get a hold there is very little upkeep. Book at JRuakura and think what New Zealand would be like If this systematic tree-planting were general. LDIE AND ITS USES. ADVICE TO FARMERS. In the course of his lecture on lime and its uses, Mr. F. W. Greenwood, Instructor in Agriculture, in an address at the Wcraroa Farmers’ c amp, dealt with the various forms of lime, our lime deposits, sampling, crushing plants, etc. " in specking of the uses of lime for agricultural purposes, he pointed out that the action of binned lime was much quicker than that of the carbonate, but the effects of flic latter were more lasting. Although the former was theoretically about ten times as soluble as the carbonate, ns it in time reverted to carbonate by the action of the air and moisture, it did not really work out so in practice. If it was desired that the lime should act quickly then burned lime should Ibe employed, but. there was always a tendency With that form to make .various plant foods in the soil more soluble and readily available. Such soils as stiff clays and swamp lands lent themselves specially to treatment bv quicklime, but it would generally be inadvisable to treat sandy soils with poor humus with quick lime. One factor which the farmer had to consider in choosing between burned or carbonated lime was the comparative cost involved in getting either on to his land. Generally speaking, carbonated lime was the most popular with New Zealand farmers. He then dealt at length with the uses of j lime for agricultural purposes, and {also with soil analysis. Although I the method of applying lime differed [according* to the crops intended to be sown, generally speaking land should be plo tghed. disced, harrowed, and cultivated before the lime was applied. After this the land benefited considerably by a few strokes of the brush, chain, or tripod harrows. However, whatever cultivation took place after liming - , ploughing should be avoided. He concluded with a lengthy dissertation on the effects of lime on various crops. ! NATIONAL DAIRY SHOW, 1922. I , ~ . Our readers will kindly note tnat entries for the sale of purebred cattle must be in the secretary’s hands by May 19th. Everything points to the twentieth dairy show of the Mana- ! watu and We.A Coast Agricultural and j Pastoral Association being a record one. We are informed that the demands for schedules both poultiA and general, and applications for space inside and out. arc very numerous. A 100 feet of the new building being erected for the motor exhibition is now completed, and will be in use In Juno. This building, when finished, is to be utilised by the horsemen at the November Show. Intending lany exhibitors should apply for schedules ■if they have not yet received one, and endeavour to bring the number of the entries in the home industries and needlework divisions well to the fore. There are two classes this year for farmer’s separator butter., anu one foi those who have not won a. piize at any A. and P. Show for butter, so this should be encouraging to the younger competitors. Entries close on June sth. Any information may be obtained from the secretary, Box 85, Palmerston North. MARKET REPORTS. Messrs Abraham and Williams Ltd., report on FeUding sale held on 12th

inst: A fair yarding of sheep met with a keen demand, any good lambs or wethers were eagerly sought after. Fat sheep came forward in limited numbers and sold freely. A large yarding of dairy stock sold well, there being a good demand right through for weaner heifers. Store cattle sold at late rates. We quote: Fat sheep, best wethers 24/10 to 25/, fat ewes 17/6 to IS/, lambs 19/. light do 18/2, Store Sheep: Best lambs 12/10,- 15/5, to 15/8, medium 10/9, 11/4, to 12/, small 7/2 to 9/3, 4 and syr ewes in lamb to Romney, 15/3, empty ewes 13/8 to 15/, culls ewes in lamb 0/5 to 12/1; Cattle: Springing heifers £ll, £ll 13/8 to £l3 10/. heifers r.w.b. best £9 7/8, others £4 15/ to £B, dairy cows £8 10/. £7 15/ to £B, store cows 30/, 31/ to 39/, Jersey weaner heifers £3 12/ to £5 4/, sinal! 37/8, 3yr-steers £3 7/8, 3Ayr Hereford steers £4 5/. DISPERSAL SALE. The Wairarapa Farmers’ Co-Opera-tive Association. Ltd., Danucvirke, report having held a very successful dispersal sale of dairy stock at Mang.irawa on Wednesday. Hdh inst., on account of Mr. E. W. Leach. The herd of dairy cows comprised some very nice quality Jerseys, and these were ve -y keenly sought after, selling up to £2O 10/ per head, others making £l2 lo £l9. A mi nber of aged and faulty cows made low values, and these brought down the average lo I'Hi 5/ per head for the herd of 48, which is the highest up to date for this season m the district and must be considered highly satisfactory. Heifers in calf made £5 15/ to £8 10/, and some nice quality grade. Jersey weaners £5 .14/. Other principal sales were 4yr. Pedigre : Jersey bull 21gns, grade weaner bulls £3 10/ lo £5 15/, 12 ewes in lamb 30/, 11 store ewes 13/6, breeding- sows f2 (o £2 13/, weaner pigs 8/8 to 12/. aged harness mare £.15, a host of fane implements, dairy utensils, tools and sundries made goed clearing sale rates. LOAN AND MERCANTILE GO’S REPORTS. The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Coy, Ltd., Feildinp, report. for the week ending 13th May; —At Apiti on Tuesday we had few sheep, but a fair yarding of cattle, which sold at late rates:- Good IS mth. S.H, steers £2 17/8: Rough 18 mill, and 2yr steers £2 '•■’/: Rough ‘>i yr. steers, £2 10/8: ISrnlh S.H. heifers 12 5/, £3; 2Ayr. ' heifers R.W.B. £4 12/6; Cows in calf £5. At Kimbolton on Wednesday (ho sheep penned failed to make reserves but a fair clearance of cattle was made at recent rates: Good Jersey weaner heifers £4; ISmth. S.H. heifers R.W.B. £3. £3 5/, £3 8/, £4; Dairy cows in calf £2, £2 10/. On Thursday we held a clearing salt' ou account Mr. 14. J. Hayward, Apiti. There was a large attendance and everything sold well; F.M. owes r.w. Romney rams. 17/: Cull ew<7/; ISmth. steers £3 I/; ISmMi. S.H. heifers R.W.B £4 10/: S.H. weaner heifers 30/; S.H. weaner steers, small 11/; Dairy cows £7 5/ to £ll, average £0 10/; S.H. bull £4 10/, weaner bull 30/; Hacks £5 15/. £6. At FeUding on Friday there was a small yarding of sheep and a very failyarding of cattle. All lines sold at late rates: —Fat wethers 24/6, Fat ewes light 15/1; Good twd. wethers 24/; Yearling heifers £2 2/. £2 16/: ISmth. heifers R.W.B. £3 10/: 2-yr. heifers R.W.B. £3 15/. £4. £4 !)/; ISmth steers £2 15/, £2 18/6: Dairy cows £9 15/. £lO 1.0/; Spg. Jersey heifers £11: Fat cows £3, £3 12/8, DANNEVIRRE SALE. The Wairarapa Farmers’ Do-opera-tive Association. Ltd. (stock department), Dannovirkc, report on their usual weekly sale, held on Friday, 12th inst., as follows: —A heavy yarding of cattle and a good entry of sheep came forward well up to numbers as specially advertised. The sheep market was good, especially for wethers, this class of sheep showing a distinct increase in recent values. We placed our total entry of just under 100 U head by auction and private treaty at satisfactory prices, best lambs being slightly easier. We yarded about 500 head of cattle, being mostly 20-month and 2A-year Shorthorn steers of moderate quality, tho. bulk of which changed hands at low values after a dragging sale. Home good quality 2 A-year Herefords and Polled Angus steers in good condition were passed in under poor competition at about £4 odd. The following principal sales will indicate values: 2 8 woolly lambs 18/S. 222 wether lambs 15/9. 89 do. 14/, 41 small lambs 10/. 7 small do. 7/, 208 fat and forward wethers (in lots) 22/11, 23/8. 23/9 to 24/, 140 2-tooth do. 20/9. 95 fat ewes ,17/. 49 in.a. ewes in lamb to Romney ram 23/, 50 2 and 4-tooth ewes in lamb to Romney ram 21/, 29 owes in lamb to S.D. ram 20: 83 20-month .Shorthorn steers £3 7/8. 49 do. £3, 19 do. £2 IS/. 32 do. £2 13/, 11 do. £2 12/, 7 do. £2 11/, 11 do. £2 3/8, 9 cull do, 32/6, 34 3-year off Shorthorn steers £3 12/C, 20 do. (rough) £3 7/, 3 fat cows £2 15/, 1 dairy cow £B, 11 2-year off P.A. cross heifers £3 2/6, 4 do.'£2 17/, 3 small do. 33/, 3 weaner pigs (poor) 5/ to S/, sows with litters 32/G lo £3 7/8.