FARM TOPICS.

New Zealand Mail, Issue 1679, 4 May 1904, Page 68

FARM TOPICS.

The hot fly has been very destructive in the Timani district lately, a number of foals falling victims to the' threaded grub. ° # * # Southland Frozen Meat Company has provided! a special building at its works for the storage of eggs, which accommodates 3000 casks, each holding 240. * * * Mr S. Vaile, of Auckland, writes to the “New Zealand Herald" that the late Mr Thos. Mort was undoubtedly the inventor of the process of freezing meat. Mr Vaile states that Mr Mart's first experience in this- direction was by means of ice brought from America. * * * ■ The Secretary of'the Agricultural Conference, Mr Murphy, of Christchurch, stated in a letter to Manawatu A. and P. Association that only 13 replies had been received from the 34 associations circularised, and of these two were in favour of postponing the Conference for another year. Mr Murphy added that at a meeting of the Executive of the Conference m Dunedin recently, it recommended that this year be allowed to pass, on account of the little interest evinced. The Manawatu committee decided to adhere to its resolution passed at previous

meeting ini favour of the Conference being held in Wellington at the same time as the Farmers' union Conference. * * * At a meeting of subscribers to Addington Market Cattle Insurance Fund the other diay, it was resolved that on and; after April 20th the scale of premiums should be:—Op-steers 6d per head, heifers Is, cows 2s; seller and buyer to both contribute to- above amount. * * * Much indignation is expressed at Pateroa (Otago) over the recent ballot for the Serpentine runs. Some fifty settlers entere'u for the nxuch-oovetted run of 3700 acres. The successful applicant, a shepherd. when congratulated, declared that he knew nothing about the matter. Further inquiries went to show that relatives of the shepherd had entered for the ballot. It is alleged that the application and declaration, were lodged 1 by his relatives in the name of the shepherd without his consent in order to .enhance their chances of securing the run. The disappointed applicants l are now moving the Minister of Lands to have an enquiry. * * * The fruit season in Central Otago this season has been most favourable, but, unfortunately, many tons of peaches, apricots, plums and; other fruit, have been allowed to roc on the ground, or else have been carted out as manure, owing to the absence of cheap and rapid means of transit to central markets. *#O # * At the sale of Mr Alfred Kidd's herd of shorthorns at auction at Pukehohe recently 80 guineas ivas the best price, being given for the cow Esta 4th. her calf realising 22gs. Two cow® reached V6gs' another 58gs. On the same day, the Oiydesdale stallion The General, the property of Mr T. D. Reid, of Waiuku, was said to Mr Suitcliffo for 700 guineas, another (Dr Seddon) realising 26y guineas. A letter from Mr H. SL Cameron, setting forth the advantages of the recentlyformed Victoria League, was read at the general committee meeting of the A. and P. Association.. The League has been formed for the purpose of fostering a better knowledge of each other by Great Britain and the colonies. One idea \rm that mutual letters of introduction be issued by branches in the colonies and England, so that duly accredited visitors could ba assisted to obtain information on agricultural and other matters of interest. The scheme appealed to the meeting, and it was resolved, on the motion of Mr M. Cohen, seconded by Mr Wheeler, that the President be appointed the Association's member on the League, and the necessary subscription of £1 be paid. * -xThe number of subscribers to tlie Taranaki Farmers’ Mutual Life Insurance Association is now 104, insurance, value of property .£63,593, and amount of cover requ red <£42,095. As the amount has been secured by a very cursory canvass just around Elltham, by the time the Association embraces the whole of its sphere, the insurance will (says the "Argus”) reach a large figure. About forty delegates are expected to attend the Provincial Conference of the Fanners’ Union at Masterton, # * * The distribution of New Zealand' lamb throughout the country, writes Mr H. C. Cameron from London, is on a much and sounder footing then that of our mutton. Large provision dealers, doing a good trade, are steadily adding New Zealand fam'b to the other lines they handle. A few seasons ago he reported on the excellent results shown byMessrs Cooper and Co., of Liverpool, when they introduced; lamb in their trade. Since then their example has been followed, and in many towns this particular line is specialised. Over a thousand acres of land in the Pukeboi district, to the east of Eketahuna, .are, says the "Eketahuna Express,” to be thrown open for sale or selection alter May 25th. * * A creamery is proposed at Tikokino in connection with Onga Onga Dairy Companv (Hawke's Bay). * » « The 'Siberian Butter Gazette publishes a telegram from Kurgan of February 27th, stating: "All butter waggons with refigeiators are to be altered for *the transport of troops. The tone among the exporters is very depressed. Goods traffic will probably cease for a time. * * The dairying industry in the Auckland province has developed remarkably. In 1899 the province exported 16,922 boxes ol barter; in 1900, 26,811 boxes; in 1901, £8.458 boxes; in 1902, 49,182 boxes; in 1903, 71,385 boxes; arid l in the season now ending fully 102,000 boxes.