WORTH KNOWING

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6537, 20 February 1928, Page 10

WORTH KNOWING

News From Elsewhere Butter to Canada. A resolution urging' the imposition of the dumping duty on Australian and New Zealand butter was passed unanimously at the convention of the Western Canada dairy 1 aimers at Kcgina. Mr J. A. Caulder, president of the National Dairy Council, reviewed the efforts made by Canadian and Australian deputations made to Ottawa. Ho said the result was that Australians shipped on consignment, kept the butter 24 hours, and then sold Ifc thus evading the anti-dump-ing regulations. He claimed that butter prices were depressed on the coast Butter selling on the prairie at 37 cents, realised only 31 cents In Vancouver. Ho was sure the Government would cancel the treaty if enough pressure were exerted. Altogether 400 delegates voted for the resolution. Another. Protest.

The Matamata branch of the-Farm-ers’ Union has unanimously passed a motion urging the Dominion executive to make provision for giving every farmer an opportunity to voice his protest against the continuance of the Act that has proved so harassing in its operation. Grass-seed Harvesting. Grass seed harvesting is now in full swing in Southland and many parts of Otago, and in the course of a week or two farmers will probably bo offering their current year’s supply. It seems quite likely that there will be a lesser quantity than usual of grass seed as many fanners have cut out the glowing of grass for seed and most have saved a reduced area this year. This has been a wise policy on the part of the farmefs as for the past year or so there has been, an over supply owing to the demand having become more restricted. Even with the decreased yield there should be ample for requirements as most of the merchants have stocks in their stores. A point which should he taken into consideration in the purchase of gress seed is the germination power. A few years ago little attention was given to this so long as. the seed was bright in colour and of good quality and weight. To-day buyers for shipping, almost invariably ask for germination tests, and ,it is difficult to dispose of anything showing a germination of less than 80 per cent, or 85 per cent, and many buyers demanS a germination of at least 90 per cent. Farmers who have allowed their seed to ripen fully will probably reap the benefit of being able to supply good germination seed. Concrete Fencing Posts. It,, is generally considered that the use of concrete posts in the erection of fencing Is far more costly than is the usual wooden post. This is very much a question which has to bo decided, first by the nearness of the source of supply or timbered areas, and secondly by local soil conditions. Where good sharp sand and gravel arc easily obtainable often for tbo actual cost of carting, the home-made con Crete post can be made as cheaply os the cost of timber. Once in position they are there indefinitely: there is no need for expenditure in replacing rotted posts. Apart from this they are practically indestructable, especially when they are used to support the wires on the boundary fences. With only the cement to be carried station th mb aoin mfw tao

from tho railway station the cost of | making concrete posts is no greater | than the amount paid for timber j posts, provided a number of moulds are available, and the work Is un- | dertaken when labour is not wanted j for other farm work. As a standby | for wet weather the making l of con- | Crete posts often provides occupation at a time when there may be difh- 1 culty in flndng work for tho hands engaged on the property. Assisting Suppliers. The Mercury Bay Co-operative Dairy Company, Las decided to institute a scheme for financing suppliers in the top-dressing of their pastures. The company has completed an arrangement whereby manures can be supplied to farmers for autumn and spring top-dressing, and full benefit of the top-dressing will have been received by the pastures before payment will bo due in the flush months of the following season. Valuable Cargoes. Three large overseas steamers left Wellington within 24 hours of each other with valuable cargoes of produce for the United Kingdom. The Northumberland and Port. Caroline sailed on Tuesday night for Napier and Wanganui to complete loading and the Tainul sailed on Wednesday afternoon for Southampton and London. The first shipments of this season’s fruit were taken from Wellington by the Northumberland and Tainul, the former having in cool storage 13,638

cases of aplcs and 119 cases of pears, and the latter 809 G cases of apples. The next shipment of fruit -will be taken by the Huntingdon, loading at Wellington on February 33. In addition to the fruit and largo shipments of frozen meat, wool, and other cargo, the three ships arc taking between them 56,957 boxes of butter and 51,844 crates of cheese shipppd at Wellington and other ports. The Port Caroline is carrying 33,700 boxes of butter and the Tainui 8424 boxes of butter and 17,563 crates of cheese, all for London. The Tainui has also 24,359 crates of cheese for West of England ports.