ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXIX, Issue 6357, 4 November 1907, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

ANSWERS TO COBEESPONEBNTS.

{Wo shall bo glad to answer, an far an possible, all qtioMbiorm relating to the pnntorri/1. agricultural, and dairying industries, boc-culture. horticulture, poul-try-raising, etc. Inquirers must send their full narno and address, as a guarantee of good faith, but may also forward a noxn do plume for purposes of reply. Headers are also invited to forward comment or personal experience on any points raised In these answers or on this page.— Ed. X.and, Pago, "N.Z. Timcs.j

WELLINGTON WOOL SAXES. November ism. a i z p.co, December 6th, nfc 9 a.in. January 17th. at 9 a.m. February Zlst, at 2 p,m.

SHOWS. Christchurch,—November 6,7, and 8. Wangannl.—November 15 and 14. Hawera.—November 21 and 21. Wnlrarapa.—November 20 and 21. Now Plymouth.—November 27 and 23.

THE FREEZING INDUSTRY.

IMPORTANT MOVEMENT. Advantage was taken by Mr Foster, managing director of tho Wellington Meat Export Company, of tho presence at tho Palmerston show of representatives of the Auckland and Gisborne cocrporativo freezing companies to discuss in an informal way several matters relating to tho industry. It was agreed that tho importance of several of tho subjects discussed was sufficient to warrant tho promotion of a conference of freezing companies, especially those conducted on a co-opcrativo basis, the aims of which are identical. Certain South Island companies will be asked to join in the conference or conferences, for it te intended if possible to make them permanent. Tho subjects talked over at iho "scratch" meeting were of a very important nature, and clearly indicate' tho value the oonfcrojicoe suggested would Brovo to the export moat busine-se of the omiuion. A question which received considerable attention was that of labour in freezing works. Other matters dealt with woro tho shipment of meat, improved stowage, etc,; mooting the tactics of tho London triido, such as those being apparently adopted at present—"bearing * tho market in order to reduce values immediately prior to the now season, so that forward contracts might he arranged on a basis highly profitable to tho trade; and catering to the army contracts, which cannot be done on account of their extensive nature by a single company. Another question was tho representation of the companies at tho first refrigeration conference to be hold in Paris in June next, when a number of subjects specially interesting to tho New Zealand industry will bo distmsood.

FLAX MACHINERY IMPROVEMENT. THE QUESTION OF A BONUS. From statements made to our Maua/*atu representative last week, it npSpars that many inquiries are reaching le “Agricultural Department as to whether a State bonus for improved methods of producing phorminm fibre is still being offered. It is understood that while there is no guarantee on the subject—tho offer of the Government having recently lapsed after standing for three years—yet if anyone were to come forward'with a method thAt, while curtailing labour and expense, would turn out a superior, ■ article, there is no doubt that tho giving of a bonne would be favourably considered.

TPLAX DISPLAY AT PAXMEESTON

WANTED AT WANGANUI. Mr McGregor, expert in charge of the department's flax exhibit at the chow, informed a representative of the ''Now Zealand Timee" that a request had been received from Wanganui that tho exhibit should be taken up there for tho forthcoming show, bat it had not yet been decided whether this could bo done. No instructions had yet been received from tho department, but in any coso tho flax would probably be left in Palmerston for a few days until a decision had been arrived at. It has also been suggested that tho display should be carefully preserved for the proposed flax exhibition. This, it is understood," will really have to bo done «s practically all the flax in tho Weraroa experimental plot has now been out oat.

THE FLAX EXHIBITION.

' AN EXPERT'S IDEAS. SOME SUGGESTIONS. Sumo valuable suggestions respecting the iroposed flax exhibition were made ot 110 end of last week by Mr James Stewart, tho department's flax instructor, in a conversation at Palmerston with our Manawatu representative. One point was in reference to new processes of preparing tho fibre. Several had spoken to him about it during the show, while the subject had been also mentioned by millors in various parts of the Dominion. Ho had been asked by a number ot inventors of now processes for his opinion as to tho merits of their various ideas, but it had been utterly impossible for him to speak on tho subject without seeing itne appliances at work. Por instance, tho coat of production might he so increased as to altogether minimise any benefit which might bo gained by the use of the machine. The only true test was to t ascertain tho actual cost under something like ordinary working conditions, hut ,at present this was practically impossible. Tho suggested exhibition and Donforonoo, however, would afford tho most excellent opportunity for this to he done, as inventors oonld go along with their machines and run them in tho presence of the graders and millers. Then tho new appliance and tho fibre it turned out could be seen properly, and some idea gained of tho value of the former. As a case in point, Mr Stowart mentioned that he had seen specimens of artificially bleached fibre which appeared all right superficially, but wore really of no uso whatever, »» they deteriorated very quickly. Now, if that idea wore brought before an assemblage of millers it would at ouco bo seen that it was ho ueo going ou with it, and so further time would bo saved. Inventors of stripping machines, of washing, drying and bleaching machines, ana others such as those who proposed to take tho article off tho fibre by means of hydraulic pressure, should all bo encouraged to attend tho conference and got the o critical opinions of the practical millers on their idea. Mr Stewart had no donbt that the inventors would be only too glad to take advantage of tho opportunities that would, bo offered. For instance, that very day bo had been speaking to a man who claimed ho could produce a beautiful silky fibre similar to that of which Mrs Williams, of Toko, had mode the lace which was so admired during tho show. His idea was to uso an hydraulic process, and ho wanted tho expert's opinion on it. But, of course, it was impossible to speak at all until it had been seen and inspected ; Now i that man had promised to come forward and demonstrate his

method at tho exhibition if it were held. Others in a like position would probably do ju.*t the same thing. At the present time, said Mr Stewart, he knew of at least a do w men who had, or thought they had, invented improved methods of production.

FLAYING HIDES.

HOW AND HOW NOT TO DO IT.

Farmers generally found much to interest them in a small display made at tho Palmerston show by tho Wellington Wool, Skin, and Hide-buyers' Association. it was put there to demonstrate in some measure tho great loss annually sustained by fanners of the Dominion through careless or ignorant haying of hides. Nothing, it is said by exports, more detracts from tho value of a hide than the careless use ot the knife. Badly scarred and cut hides are I tho rule rather than the exception, so that tho farmer's one chance of producing a good saleable article is gone. Even though all possible attention may have been given to curing and condition' hides will never bring their real market value If not properly taken oft. In order to bring these facts prominently before those primarily interested, the association some little w “ lle back wrote to the M.anawatu A. and i. Society, suggesting that it should offer prizes for the best flayed and dressed hides. Mention was made, ot the tact that annwsUy some thousands ot caiiskias alone’ wore greatly depreciated in value by the grossly careless manner in which they were treated. The association at the time could not see its way to adopt tho suggestion, but informed the wool, skin, and hide-buyers that it would to very pleased to provide tho space if they would make a display of properly and improperly handled skins. This offer was accepted, and Hie present display is tho result. Though only consisting of six exhibits, three good and three very bad hides, it forms the most striking object lesson that could be imagined, and as sufh cannot but have a very beneficial result. In the first place, there arc a couple of sheepskins, both of equal weight (121 b), but of vastly different appearance. The one is very badly taken off and not. properly dried, so that it presents a shrunken and far from attractive appearance. Its value is said to bo 4a 6d. The companion skin is, however, taken off and dried as it should be,’ and i* worth 8s 6d, or nearly double qb much. The difference m the two skins is apparent to the most casual observer. Two calfskins serve to deepen tho impression already made. The first is a very miserable specimen, being as badly flayed and cured *as could bo imagined. Great pieces of the flesh have been left adhering, while kmfo marks are frequent. The other, howover, is vastly different, being nice and clean and perfectly free from meat or knife 1 cute. Both skins weigh 81b, but their respective values are 6d and 4s 6d, a vast difference. A pair of cowhides complete the display, both weighing 451 b. One is dirty in appearance, with pieces of flesh loft on, while it has also suffered severely from the knife. Ite value is put down at 7s 6d, but its companion, tho . one properly treated, is worth .81. 'The latter is perfectly clean, well cured, and free from cuts. Tho whole display but serves to prove tho foolishness of the old policy of "chop it off as fast as you can, and never mind the result, so long as it comes off.”

THE FLAX EXPERIMENTS.

NOW NEARLY FINISHED. The flax experiments which have been in progress at Manakau for some time past are now nearly completed. Mr Stewart, the expert who has had charge of the milling work, informed our Manawatu representative at the end of last week that he had every reason to expect that all would be finished by Wednesday or Thursday at latest. They have, he says, more than half finished with the scutching and baling processes. As a matter of fact, the end would have b?en reached some time ago, only operations wore delayed I bad weather and by Mr Stewart having bo go to Auckland. There will be from two to three tons of fibre altogether a: tho result of the experiments, but so far as is known tho department has not yet decided what is to be done with it. Speaking of tho lessons which will be conveyed as a result of the experiments, Mr Stewart said, the natural-grown swamp variety would probably show a bettor result from, a fibre weight point of view, but the test to ascertain the exact extent of the yield has yet to bo made. Some varieties were perceptably stronger than others. The average yield of fibre per ton cf flax will bo low on account of tho rich nature of the land in which it was grown at Weraroa and the consequent rapid development. Mr Stewart anticipates the thin-bladed varieties growing in many-bladed and compact bunches will give a larger j>ctoentago of fibre, * though the t thickbladed will give a greater weight of green loaf per acre. One interesting • fact disclosed in tho milling of the experimental varieties was that the redbutted and tinged varieties will give the stronger fibre, while the white varieties will give a finer but more bruised commercial product, duo, of course, to the finer quality not being able to withstand our present methods of stripping so well as the stronger description. An improved stripping process, which would be less harsh on the fibre, would, in Mr Stewart's opinion, enable the muchdespised mountain varieties to bo productive of a much superior fibre than is possible with existing methods, this by reason of their beautiful, silky texture being thereby preserved. It will thus bo seen that improved methods of treating New Zealand flax are of vital importance to the industry. Reverting to the varieties used in the experiment, Mr Stewart said it was a matter for regret that the grader's report on the baled varieties was not available for the demonstration at the show. The delay was occasioned by tho Turakina fire inquiry. These, however, it is expected, will be ready for tho Auckland show, where the demonstration is to be repeated, Tho bales will bo submitted to the graders at Wellington in the course of a few days, so that an official report may be obtained as to the standing of the different varieties in tho grading classification.

GLEANINGS. . The milk yield in southern Taranaki was considerably less in September this year than tjiat of August last year. The inspection of dairy sheds in the Poverty Bay district has now been completed, and the inspectors have turned their attention to those of Wairoa and Napier respectively. Thirty-seven boxes of butter is the daily average outpat of the Mangorei Co-operative Dairy Company. This is three boxes per day less than that of tho same date last seasen. "It is far better that plants should become dry occasionally than that they should bo kept net all the time,” said Mr E. Jones during tho course of a lecture at Christchurch. "A plant always wet gets indigestion, and can no more thrive than a human being with the same complaint.” V Speaking to a representative of the "Manawafn Daily Times” upon the foul seed question, Mr J. G. 'Wilson, president of tho Farmers’ Union, said that

he had long asked that protection bo given to Mr Kirk, the Government export, in the publication of his conclusions regarding seeds sent to him. The farmer could then send clown seed to be tested and could confront the person from whom he obtained the seed with the result. Mr Wilson gave examples of injury done by bad seed, and fully agreed that tho matter required immediate attention. A Christchurch fruit and vegetable dealer and grower of thirty-eight years' experience told a "Lyttelton Times" reporter that 'the present high price of onions and potatoes was .not by any means unprecedented. The present rates had been reached before in Christchurch, bat tho fact had not brought any protest from the public. The local growers wore in no way responsible for the increased prices. * They submitted their produce to auction, and the laws of supply and demand alone regulated the price obtained. From Monday last the price of butter in Hawera (says the "Star") rose 2d; per ■ lb. The wholesale price is now 10, and the retail figure Is 2d. During the early part of tho year the commodity was costing Is, but about three months ago it dropped to lid, and was retailed at Is, those figures remaining until Monday last. The prices ruling at this time last year were 101 d and Is respectively. The sudden jump in the market is said to be due to tho prices now ruling for butter ot Home. A local tradesman says > he thinks the present price will continue for some time. A committee appointed at the New Zealand Agricultural Association's last conference i.s making inquiries relative to tho improvement of grass lands, and for that purpose has addressed a > circular containing a number of questions to each A. and P. Association in North and South Islands for circulation among the members of same. The questions asked relate to tho character of the soil in the district, the mixture of grasses, and tho amount of seed per acre that gives the best results. Information is also sought with reference to tho prevailing methods of sowing grass and the preparation of the ground prior to tho same.