DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

New Zealand Times, Volume LXX, Issue 3861, 3 October 1899, Page 3

DEPARTMENT OF AGRICULTURE

• ANNUAL REPORT. .The seventh report of the Department' of Agriculture was laid on the table of the House last night. The following are the principal matters dealt, with: CROPS. Tho harvest of 1898-99 has been jm abundant one. but unfortunately a con--1 siderablo quantity of grain was damaged both in the stook and stack by continuous wet weather during harvest.. Thus occurred more especially in the northern portion of the Middle Island and North' Island. Such a loss is to be regretted," :■ and should be a warning to farmers to see that their stacks are properly built and threshed as soon as possible. The figures showing the yield of wheat are condensed as follows ; Available for all lurnoses as from 28th February, 1899, 13,308,21-1 bushels. Estimate'll quantity required for seed,' 760,000 bushels. Consumption for all purposes on a population of 790,000 at six bushels per head, 5,500,000. Apparent surplus. 7,808,211 bushels; The prices tins year, at 31st Marca,, as compared with those ruling last season at same date, are about. 50 per cent., lower, being 2s to 2s 3d, as against 4s to 4s 6d per bushel of 601bs. ■ , The crop of oats did not suitor from the weather so much as the wheat. The acreage was 417,320 acres, or an in-, crease of 62,501 acres,-and the actual, yield was 16,511,388 bushels. The iprices ruling are Is to Is 6d per bushel, as against 2s to 2s 6d per, bushel, last, season.; ■ ‘ Much of the barley crop was discolour--ed, and will only be lit for .feeding, purposes. Tho a rep. grown, wap 45,671' bushels, an increase of 15,751- acres; and the yield .was 1,677,908 bushels -The, prices ruling are 2s to 2s 6d per bushel, as against 4s 6d last year. ' The area under potatoes is- 38,604. j acres, the yield being 7.73 tons per acre. To secure a payable market Tor such a 1 largo surplus will be next to impossible. Tip-nips and rape show a largo increase and the'supply will bo ample for all requirements. ■ i NEW SEEDS. Daring the past year the following seeds have been imported and distributed- to settlers for trial;—Salt bush, carob-beans, tree lucerne- and maize: • NOXIOUS WEEDS. These continue to flourish and spread without let or hindrance. Several landowners have renorted that they have successfully coped with, the Canadian thistle by continually scarifying the surface of the land. This plan has for years boon strenuously advocated by the Department ns tho only really effective mtv thod of dealing with this pest. i SMALL BIRDS. ' Reports from all quarters go to show that the annual loss from the depredations of small birds is becoming a, serious tax on the farmer. The local authorities do not appear to be able to cone with the matter. In last report two methods of dealing with the pest were advocated, viz., that the department take over the control, .or that machinery should be provided whereby the local authorities would be compelled to take simultaneous action at the proper season. Thetpresent Act, is practically a dead letter! INSECT PESTS. • No special o'utbre'a.k has been reportiid from the presence of, insects during the past season. • ■ •.t; .» . ' HEMP., ~ . } ' - A sharp rise in'values took placo-ijri(,the earlier part of the year and miUeiVweyc ;■ kept • however,' has somewhat slackened, although prices are still fairly remunerative. FRUIT. Referring to the unsuccessful attempt made last year to pass the Orchard and Garden Pests Bill the report says it is to that a section of the growers are so strongly opposed to legis-

lation dealing with pests. If the industry is to make headway it is imperative some moans should be taken to check the spread of the many pests now devastating the orchards. As to phylloxera, the inspection of vineyards and the eradication of infested vines has been vigorously carried out during the year. Sc far the disease has only been found in the north, with the exception of two small places in the Wairarapa. Sheds for the purpose of fumigating fruit are in course of erection a.t Auckland, Wellington, Christchurch and Dunedin. Any infected,fruit will.be dealt with at owner’s cost. POULTRY FOR EXPORT. The export of poultry is receiving attention, and arrangements have been made with a firm in Wellington to receive, dress, and pack in boxes all poultry sent,in, at a uniform rate of scl per pair. Similar arrangements will be made at other centres.. The birds will be sent to the freezing works for the purpose <of being frozen before*shipment,and this will be undertaken by the government free_ of cost to the shipper, the only condition being that the' birds are examined and passed by an officer of the department. DAIRYING.

The question of determining the most suitable site tor a dairy school is receiving careful attention, and it should be m full working order by'next autumn, when the bulk of tne factories will be closing down. ■ SLAUGHTERHOUSES. With the object of obtaining authentic information as to the actual condition of the slaughterhouses throughout the colony, a report on each has been submitted by the local inspectors or stock.' It- is almost unnecessary to say uiat the reports disclose, with the exception of a few, a most unsatisfactory state of affairs, showing that the local authprifies exercise little or no control over the slaughterhouses under their jurisdiction, and merely act as tax collectors without in any way protecting the public in the matter of the meat supply. The consumers of meat cannot bo aware of .the insanitary condition of many of the slaughterhouses, otherwise such abominations would not be allowed to exist, borne drastic reform is urgently required. SHEEP. The period for dipping in the North Island was altered last session, and is now from’ the Ist of January to the 31st of March. It is, however, doubtful if the change meets with the approval' of the majority, of sheep-owners. The perjod in the Middle Island is from February Ist to April 30th. The flocks of the colony may be said to be entirely free of all infectious or contagious diseases. CATTLE. A very strong desire is evinced by the more progressive settlers to have their cows tested with tuberculin. It would be a great safeguard if all bulls were tested before the beginning of each season; RABrITS. In Hawke’s Bay the pest appears to be extending, but the wa-oit Beard is fully alive to the necessity ‘ for stopping -its further, spread. The Wairarapa shows a steady improvement, and settlers are now seeing the benefits to be gained by systematic work. A few places, still require close attention. The vigorous action taken by the department in the Wellington district last year in forcing certain settlers to more vigfirous action has had tne desired effect, and the pest is now greatly reduced.