FARMING INTERESTS.

Northern Advocate, 26 August 1924, Page 2

FARMING INTERESTS.

MEAT, WOOL AND PRODUCE

ANNUAL STATE REVIEW

The general interests of the producer in New Zealand are in the annual report of the Director-General of Agriculture (Dr. lieakes) and the directors of the various divisions within the Department. A marked feature of the year's work, said the Director-General, was t'he expansion of instructional services, which were generally appreciated by producers. The provision of special courses for farmers, initiated in 1921-22, developed considerably, six such courser, being held during the year. The permanent school farm at Ruakura had taken an additional 20 pupils in February, 1924. The total expenditure on the State farms was about £18,500, and the receipts £21,000.

With regard to rabbit control, better co-ordination between inspectors and occupiers was desired. The conditions resulting from the rabbit-skin export trade undoubtedly exerted an influence which rendered the work of the inspectors difficult on desired lines ■ —namely, proper co-ordination of farmers and departmental officers. The matter of setting yp a new wool committee, without a representative of the Department, is before the Board of Agriculture, it being no longer necessary for the Government to be represented, having regard to the fact that the continuance of the operations of the committee, which is desired by producers for the control of offerings, would be a matter specially for them and the brokers. Dealing with bush-sick lands, the report states that it has been recognised for a long time that horsey, pigs, and poultry can be reared on bush-sick land without contracting the sickness that inevitably overtakes cattle and sheep. Calves can now bo reared with special treatment, and adult cattle, if attacked by bush sickness, will recover witli the right treatment. The Department is now turning its attention to remedial measures regarding slice]), in which it is considered that past experience wit'h cattle will be of assistance.

Sheep increased by 859,180, breeding ewes being responsible for 500,949 of

the increase. A great increase was recorded in the production and freezing of lambs for export. The total number of cuttle in the Dominion is now: — Bulls, 00,134; dairy cows, 3,248,643; other cattle, 2,171,897; total, 3,480,694. Swine number 400,589 —the largest on record. There are now 330,8.1S horses, and it is considered that the Dominion has reached the lowest point' in the doorcase. Inoiviises in stock slaughtered last year were: —Cattle, 28,907; sheep, 4942; himbs, 708,080; calves, 1.1,272; swine, 20,849. The value of the wool exported last year was £.13,203,204, compared witli £11,933,307 the previous year. Dairy produce exported was valued a 1£18,507,474, £18,507,474, compared with £10,207,03 m for the previous year.