THE FARMER.

Manawatu Times, Volume XLVI, Issue 2649, 18 May 1923, Page 8

THE FARMER.

A branch of the Dairy Farmers’ Union has been formed at Pnni. In this branch there arc 42 members.

The Ashburton Farm School authorities resolved unanimously to request the Government entomologist to visit Ashburton next) to study and seek a remedy for the various insect pest's of turnip and rape.

A new variety of wheat has been produced in Alberta, after a threeyears’ test. It is stated to yield niu bushels more to the acre than the present champion called The Marquis The new variety has been named Marquis the Third.

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., Palmerston North, report having a small entry of stock at their Huntervillc sale on Tuesday, the 15th. inst., which sold as below: Five-year owes i.l. S.D. rams 24/10; m.a. ewes i.l. Horn, rams 2fi/2: fat sheep, 28/G; mixed b.f. lambs 11/3; dairy cows, £5. As the result of a campaign conducted by Mr A. E. Fear, Dominion organiser for the Dairy Farmers' Union, in the Thames Valley and Lower Waikato, 27 new branches have been established. In the former district, 92 per cent, of the dairy farmers arc financial members of the Dairy Farmers’ Union. Half a century ago farmers would “ rest ” their land by omitting a crop one year in three or four. In the mean time Nature would force a growth of weeds or plants that were adapted to the conditions of the soil. One of the best ways to rest the soil is to rotate the crops, so that the soil will not bo deprived of certain plant foods, while leaving an excess of other kinds. Up-country runholders, who arc losing money by the ravages of keas, will be glad to learn that various sportsmen who went deer-stalking this year decided to try the kea for food purposes, and they found it quite good. This discovery that the kea is as good to eat as a pigeon, should do even more to eliminate it than the pride which is upon its head (states a southern exchange).

The Argentine authorities arc taking no chances of introducing stock diseases into the country, Not only must bulls for importation pass the various tests of the land of their origin, but before being accepted as suitable for export to- Argentina they must also pass those tests to which they will bo submitted on arrival in the now country. Several high-priced bulls purchased for export have never left Great Britain on account of failure to pass the tuberculin test.

The Australian Farms Ltd., movement, which is already working with jonsiderayble success in Victoria, has now been taken up with enthusiasm in New South Wales. Its object is to •settle on the land in Australia men or the British and Anglo-Indian officer class with a little capital of their own. The company finds the land, .provides three years’ training for the settlers in community settlements, and generally sees that they are put in the way of making a success of their venture. The experience gained in Victoria, although on quite a small scale, justifies the hope that the movement will be successful in establishing a large number of settlers of the most desirable type. SALE REPORTS. New Zealand Loan and Mercantile \gency and Co., Ltd., Palmerston North, report:—At our Rongotea sale on Tuesday, wc had a moderate entry to offer to a small attendance of buyers. We cleared the yarding under the hammer at prices in favour of purchasers:—Weaner heifers, £2 1/; weaner steers, 18/6; fat cows £3, £3 4/, £3 6/, to £3 12/; forward cows, 32/, 35/, 38/, to £2 2/; store cows 18/6 to 28/; dairy cows, best, £9 5/; others £2 10/ to £4 10/; heifers just calved £4 15/ to £6 5/; heifers in milk £2 2/ to £2 10/; bulls 20/ to 40/. FAR M SCHOOLS. HAVE MR. PARR’S APPROVAL. [Per Press Association.] WELLINGTON, May 17. The need for the establishment of farm sdhools in connection with the technical education system was stressed by the Minister for Education at the technical education conference today. After referring to the growing popularity of technical education, he said it was obvious that_ in the country centres, the one main subject which should be continually stressed with the children was the industry of the land and agricultural science. The Government should provide farm schools for teaching the practical work of the farm. He rejoicred that one farm school was started in the south last week, and he would like, lo see more of them as there was a need for a farm school after a boy had had his ordinary education. He hoped, as finance improved, that the Agricultural Department would be able to carry out its part of the pact after the Education Department had done its part.