SOUTH ISLAND FARMING.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXIII, Issue 19452, 7 October 1926, Page 9

SOUTH ISLAND FARMING.

THE WAIMATE DISTRICT. GOOD HARVEST PROSPECTS. . FAVOURABLE LAMBING SEASON* [BY TELEGRAPH. —OWN CORRESPONDENT.] WAIMATE, Wednesday. The prospects for the harvest in the Waimate district this season are . exceptionally bright, although it is yet too ea.rly to make any definite statement in this respect. Reports received from -tbe various districts are of a very encouraging nature, and it is probable that the area sown in wheat in this district, this season will exceed last season's sowing by fully one-third. s -r Ono farmer at Red cliff has increased the area sown this year, to 2500 acres. In the preparation of the ground for this large sowing three tractors have been' kept going night and day for some weeks past. Other farmers have increased their areas under wheat more or less. On tho other hand it is expected that the oat harvest will be much decreased this year, farmers having refrained from planting, owing to importations from Canada and the consequent fall in price. Another factor leading to the decrease is the popularity of the tractor, which is/ causing farmers to dispose of their horses, this inevitably meaning a smaller demand for oats as horse feed. Farmers who did not dispose of all their last season's have planted sufficient seed to fill their own requirements, but merchants report that the demand has fallen considerably. • There has been a fair demand for seeds of various kinds and the planting of mangels has been going on freely. Grass seeds and clover have been bought freely* Slow Demand for Potatoes. Present indications point' to the fact that potatoes will not be planted t6 the same extent this year as was the caser in 1925, although, should farmers be unable'to dispose of their seed at a favourable' price, they will probably sow id potatoes rather than sacrifice their seed v Large quantities are at present held in this district and sales have been small. Lambing has been proceeding under very favourable conditions, and the general opinion is that last year's results will be exceeded by fully 15 per cent. Twini have been very common and mapy triplets have been reported. What is more important is that losses have been so few as to be almost negligible. Crops at present are looking very well and the recent warm rain should give all crops a good start. In the fruitgrowing district of Waituna very satisfactory results have ' been achieved and exceptionally good yields" arc expected. The area under wheat this year in the Waihaorunga district is about equal to that sown in 1925. Lambing is late in this part of the county but the results are expected to be excellent. The area planted under wheat at Waihao Forks is double that of last season. The crops are well forward and are in excellent condition with a promise of a good yield. The last of the potatoes in this -district have just been lifted, s Lambing has taken place under exceptionally good conditions, and, has be£n prolific, the. percentage being very, high. Increased Sowings of Wheat. Arno district has a larger area sown ia wheat than was the case last year. Lambing is just commencing, but indications are that 125 per cent, or over of lambs will be the rule. • « In the Itfwer Morven and Glenavy districts a great deal more wheat has been sown this year than formerly. -Lambing is proceeding under favourable conditions, with very little mortality, and it is expected that Hie percentage will be well above 100. Feed at present is plentiful, but a good twenty-four hours' rain would have a most refreshing and beneficial effect. . The farmers in the Studholme district havs' increased the area put under wheat this year considerably and it can safely be said that last year's total will be doubled. The potato crop will be much less than that of last season. The prospects for the harvest are splendid. Green feed is in short supply, although stock, which have come through the winter well, I are looking in good condition. , f Farmers in tho Makikihi district have gone in largely ,for oats, and the area so utilised will exceed • the area sown under wheat in th:s "district, although about the same quantity of wheat will be sown. Lambing is now general and satisfactory percentages are being experienced. Crops in the Hook district are looking well and the harvest prospects are excellent. The area sown in wheat compares favourably with that of last yean The prospects of good lambing returns are thought to be of the brightest. SPRING CATTLE FAIR. [BY TELEGRAM. —OWN CORRESPONDENT. J 'IE PUKE, Wednesday. . The New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's spring cattle fair was held at Te. Puke yesterday. Over 2000 head were yarded, mostly good-conditioned steers. There was. a representative gathering of buyers from all parts of tho North Island and competition was keen. Prices reflected the improved condition o£ the beef market. , - RED POLL CATTLE SALE. [BY TELEGRAPH. —PRESS ASSOCIATION, j PALMERSTON NORTH, Wednesday. The first national sale of Red Poll cattla was held to-day, when 73 head .comprised the catalogue. The entries were from Taranaki, King Country, Hawke's Bay and ® Manawatu, and buyers were present from all over the North Island. Unfortunately ; a big proportion of the cattle did not come forward in tho condition expected, and this lack of condition had a great [ deal to do with the rather dull sale. Where ; cattle showed quality, however, there was » spirited bidding. A two-year-old heifer, ' Opatn No. 6, was bought for 70gns by Wilson Bros., who have a farm at the i mouth erf the Waikato River. Hhe heifer • was from the stud of Mr. D. F. McLeod. ; of Opatu. The next highest price at the sale was realised for Mr. B. W. Harvey's - (Waverley) bull, Wairoa Wonder, which ■ was purchased by Wright, Stephenson and 1 Company, Ltd., 'as agents, for 60gns. MURCHISON OIL COMPANY. The latest report from the Murchisoo Oil Company's bore is as follows ing has been suspended owing to the casing being held up by weather conditions. Expect to run casing to-morrow.