ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19293, 5 April 1926, Page 4

ON THE LAND.

HERD-TESTING RESULTS. NEW ZEALAND ASSOCIATION. [BY TELEGRAPH.—OWN CORRESPONDENT.] HAMILTON. Saturday. An analysis of the testing of herds under the New Zealand Herd-Testing Association for the month of February gives the following figures:— Hick- Lowest est High- Lowherd herd est est ave. ave. cow. cow. Aka Aka . . 33.99 18.44 58.50 3.15 Aria .. 28.27 15.78 50.16 2.97 Bombay . . 45.47 20.03 G9.96 0.51 Buckland - . 34.99 19.07 53.82 4.35 Clovcdon . . 39.01 18.71 GG.33 6.10 Drury . . 38.48 13.01 G3.GO 4.50 llairini . . 33.11 21.54 54.45 0.19 Jimuera .. 35.95 18.79 57.75 3.24 Jluntly .. 36.43 15.61 68.64 7.38 Kihikihi . . 38.89 20,80 65.19 7,5 i; Kiwitalii . . 40.49 16.59 03.21 i.sg Manawaru . 42.01 28,34 71.40 8.25 Matatoki . . 42.80 19.83 07.20 9.22 Matamata District.— Okoroire . 35.22 21.35 67,68 7.56 Poria . . 37.43 15.55 61.21 510 Waharoa . 37.08 19.74 G6.82 2.73 Maungatautari . . 41.29 IG.G7 G2 77 3.60 Morrinsville . 37.67 24.09 63.60 2.79 Ngongotaha . 44.22 15.44 67.86 7.74 Nethorton . . 32.31 17.31 60.24 6.30 Ngatea and . Waihi . . 3G.83 18.82 62.04 480 Ohaupo .. 4.1.68 21.28 57.72 4'.20 Orini . . 46.31 19.86 ■ 72.03 7.77 Otaua . . 38.54 14.95 56.16 3.K2 Otorohanga . 43.04 24.28 70.65 7.80 Otewa .. 32.11 18.33 57,00 0.97 Onewhero . . 38.20 13.08 67.57 2.31 PatcraJigi . . 33.97 23.32 63.48 G. 43 PuketaJia . . 35.48 10.34 75.37 5.04 Putaruru . . 35.65 18.07 59.13 6.63 Matangi . . 34.83 24.32 56.42 4.95 Reporoa . . 37.44 18.85 79.20 6.27 • Shelly Beach 34,54 18.97 72.00 9no Tamahere .. 39.58 20.55 70.30 5.26 Tahuna . . 37.38 23.19 62.64 0.84 Tan hoi . . 40.9/ 22.88 70.90 4.80 Turua . . 39.04 20.87 57.23 702 Tirau . . 85.00 19.72 65.19 6.12 To Aroha W. 39.12 24.25 72.90 0.90 ITo Awanmtu 43.67 21.8 1 68.04 510 Te Kawa .. 86.08 16.22 74.R8 757 !Te Kuiti . . 36.54 22.21 54.45 r/75 Te Pahu . . 33.50 19.16 60.00 7^2 Te Rnpa . . 37.87 ' 17.30 00.72 507 Waitakarurn 33.90 20.92 64.98 10/23 Waitoa . . 34.05 18.70 60.32 540 Waerenga . . 37.40 20.55 58.R0 o - R4 Waiuku .. 35.36 16.50 50.10 5.07 AGRICULTURAL ITEMS. All cultivated plants require -water, air, food, and suitable soil temperature, and these factors are influenced by cultivation. It has been estimated that an average annual farm crop requires about 600 tons of water per acre, and this amount scarcely ever falls during the life of a plant. A sow is duo to farrow 112 to 116 days after she had been served. A record of services should be kept—the sows are easily marked by clipping the ears—and each sow, a few weeks before she is due to farrow, should be put into a clean, warm, dry, farrowing pen, which is well bedded. The man who lacks energy will find farming intolerable, and without enthusiasm and faith in the industry he cannot hope to weather the occasional periods of depression and low prices, crop failures, ravages of insect pests, or the many troubles the successful farmer is constantly combating. With a good system of cultivation a large proportion of water can be conserved below the- surface soil, and it is from this reservoir that, tbe plant draws its supply in the process of growth. With little or no cultivation, the moisture is soon evaporated and, to a large extent, lost, to plant life. As soon as the land is dry enough' ploughing and general preparation for spring crops should be pushed along with a view to sowing during the latter part of August or early in September. In view of the wet winter experienced it will probably, be found that September will be quite early enough this year. It is the cow that will go on from year to year breeding safely and maintaining a good average standard of production that 1 is the most reliable member of the herd, and this is the reason why constitution is such an important consideration in select--1 ing foundation animals, and especially in 1 selecting tho herd sire. There are at present not less than 120 margarine factories in Denmark, but by • far the largest number are very small coni cents serving to supply a neighbouring | district only. The eleven largest factories, turning out more than one million kg. i each, produced about 56 million kg. in 1924. Of the small factories, 74 turned out J less than 100,000 kg. each in 1924. A decreased demand is reported in pig ■ feed, but calf feed is selling better, and it [ is thought that a larger proportion of the i calves will be saved this year, on account 1 of the rise in beef. This will make no • impression on the policy carried out in grade Jersey herds, but in mixed herds ; it will probably be mo«' profitable in J future to save more of the-calves. L Taking normal conditions, with Danish t" butter 18s per cwt in advance of Australian. their price would be 193s per cwt in England; and estimating the ocean tran--3 sit, and selling charges, at 15s, that leaves 1 178s; and, assuming manufacturing costs j to be the same in Australia, 20s, the pro--1 ducer' would get 158s, against the Ausy tralian 150s (or nearly 22 per cent, more). I _ Those whose space is limited, may find 1 it economical to clear out the stock cock 1 every year when its season is over ,and to • replace him with a vigorous cockerel in j the autumn. It is equally important to 2 get rid of all such cockerels of the present 1 year that are not required for breeding, and the early disposal of these is of particular importance where tho principal aim is t6 raise pullets for egg production. s A mixture composed of equal parts of finely-ground limestone (or wood ashes), • steamed bono meal and salt, would supply " more calc.um than phosphorus. While 8 this is a more logical supplement to farm • rations than the simpler mixture of bone ; meal and salt, it is probably no better in practice, since tho excess phosphorus in I the latter mixture is not detrimental and " can bo readily disposed of by tho animal • body. r As is generally known the presence of lime, rendering the soil alkaline, is bene- ? ficial; in fact, essential. Thus it would appear that the most favourable con- : ditions are those ' which experience lias :, taught intelligent, farmers to obtain:— viz. good tilth, deep cultivation, a supply of organic matter (humus), adequate sup--7 ply of lime, and the use of suitable fertiII lisers, including farmyard manure and fertilisers, 1, . • The average dairy farmer has his share c ' of unfounded prejudices, and if they are unfounded then they are foolish. One of these, prejudices, which stands like a veil '. between his eyes and the truth, is that which relates to purebred dairy cattle. A great many farmers are breeding their y herds down instead of up becauso of this " prejudice. Any man who uses a grade I bull shows that prejudice, and is breeding ; his heifers and future cows down. y An American writer says: " Too many [| farmers live 111 yesterday, for they still !, keep scrub cows. Too many farmers live 1- in yesterday, because they have not been '• able to adjust their farm work to modem and up-to-date methods. Too many ' ar " mers arise at four o'clock in the morning, and work until nine or ten o'clock at night. These hours are too long lor »■ efficiency, too long for thinking, too long l ' for health, and too long for building ? proper farm life."