ODD MENTION

Manawatu Times, Volume LIII, Issue 6667, 21 July 1928, Page 2 (Supplement)

ODD MENTION

1 The executive of the Canterbury Shpcpowners ’ Union is against the destruction of hawks, and in view of tho great assistance that these birds have proved to be ; ! connection with rabbit destruction, etc., it wjas resolved to request the Department to take the necessary steps for the protection of hawks in tho rural areas. Uj.' A message from Sydney states that dairy factory managers, in conference resolved to try and .inato all but the choicest quality butter from export. Mr Thorby, Minister for Agriculture, announced that, this year 93 per cent of tho butter produced in New South Whies was of the choicest. Local consumption was increasing at, the rate of 3,000 tons yearly. The Minister of Agriculture has notified Auckland freezing companies that no restrictions will bo imposed on the export of “bobby” vpal this year, provided the requirements of the British Ministry of Health aro complied with. These provide that the calves must be properly nourished and at least five days old before they arc slaughtered, and that the meat must be inspected and free from disease. i i .

The improved . position of cattle ■breeders in Western Cahada due no doubt to a large extent" to the .good market there noV is for beef in the United States, was reflected in the high prices secured for bulls sold by auction at the spring show at Calgary. A total of 393 bulls wore disposed of for the sum of £23,344, an average of £57 each, as compared with 558 bulls which sold for £12,555, pr an average og £22 at the 1927 sale.. Herefords numbering ,160 averaged; £69, while’ 191 Shorthorns brought ftn average of £52; 30 Aberdeen-Angus averaged £55. The top price was £224 for a Hereford hull.

•At the moment, (says the- Live Stock Journal’) England's agricultural produce is 45 per cetit. dcaref than in the years 1911-13,'.the index number showing a rise of two points compared with that ruling at the beginning of the year. Oats are now 40 per cent, dearer than in pre-war days, and wheat and barley 30 and 36 per cent, dearer. Fat cattle arc 38 per cent., fat sheep 61 per cent., bacon; pigs, 4Q: per cent., porkers 45 per cent., and' dairy cattle 31 per cent, above the 1911-13 period. Generally speaking, poultry stand at 40 per cent, above the rates of the years mentioned, eggs at 26 per cent., milk at 56 per cent., butter 47. per cent., cheese 65 per cent., potatoes at 82 per cent., and wool at 70 per cent. . •;

Of Interest to Farmers

At Kaitunao, in tho Wairarapa, three bullocks were recently killed Us tho result of a‘ thunderstorm. A horse had tho shoe torn from a hoof, but was otherwise unhurt. The normal human temperature is about 98J, while tho normal temperature of pigs is a little above 102, and ranges 'from 100.9 to 105.4. The temperature of horses varies from 98.4 to 100.8, of cattle from 100.4 to 102.8, of sheep from 101.3 to 105.8. Generally speaking, soils which for no other’ obvious reason fail to respond to generous manurial treatment, soils which are, in fact, unthrifty in tho production of crops, pastures and stock, are, since lime is of such fundamental importance, likely to be found lacking in this essential ingredient. In the days of our grandfathers the depth of cultivation was limited by power of the animals which had to haul the implements. To-day, however, the capacity of modern machinery makes any depth of working easy with little extra expense.

Deep ploughing will .give Similar results to subaoiling, and in addition will liberate stores pf fresh plant food-for the use of the. crop. ~ Hue deep ploughing must not be undertaken without; careful consideration ,as very harmful results may ensue if the subsoil ig injudiciously brought up to the surface. The-practice of allowing sheep access to new haystacks has its drawbacks, as an Ashburton County farmer has re-cently-discovered. Ho. noticed a greenish tint on the top of ; the fleeces. Examination showed that loose grass seed had fallen into the fleeces, succeeding rains and sunny, weather aiding germination. -v. , , V ■

A resident of the Eltham district Mr S. Gilthrio had an extremely lucky escape during a remarkable play of lightning on Fraser Bead last week. ■ Mr Guthrie was sitting on his horse in the shelter of some trees, a few yards from an electric .pole, when a terriffio flash of lightning occurred. Mr Guthrie felt his horse sag and fall dead beneath him. The ridpr himself was dazzled by the flash. About 100 yards away a calf also dropped dead. . In a nearby residence the fuses of the telephone lightning arrester were blown to atoms and the meter was blown out for some distance. Further along tho’ road the lightning travelled down one of the electric power poles, blasted a hole in the-ground, and passed f to a wire fence. The hole was a foot deep." Clods of grass and earth were thrown 50 feet across the road. The electric line was partially wrecked for about 60i chains.