GLEANINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6489, 8 April 1908, Page 3

GLEANINGS.

A paddock of 100 acres of bearded wheat in the Coldstream district has just yielded the gratifying return of forty-seven. bushels per acre. As giving some idea of the fondness of Now Zealanders for eggs, Mr D. D. Hyde, Government Poultry Expert, stated tho other day that over 173,000,000 eggs were consumed in tho Dominion last year.

A Hawke’s Bay orchardist is convinced that it pays to 'spray fruit trees. Last year he obtained only seventy cases of sound fruit. This season he adopted preventive measures and his orchard has produced ten tons of fine fruit. An exchange learns from a resident of the Chatham Islands that the present year has ln?en the driest for tho past 22 years. Nature is lavish at the Chatham?, and grass grows all the year round. Frost is unknown, tho temperature being equallised by the wide stretch of sea. It is stated that, on account of the decreased prices ruling for sheep and wool, farmers in the Ashburton County Intend going in more extensively for grain-growing, and it is estimated that tho area to be sown this year will be tho largest recorded for many years past, A Mayfield farmer has informed a representative of the Ashburton "Guardian” that somo of the turnip crops in the locality are being attacked by a green-coloured grub, which devours the leaves and then attacks, the roots or bulbs of tho turnips. Fortunately these pests are not very numerous. ■’ A Feathers ton supplier to the Freeh Milk Supply Co. will have a cheque for *£l23 14s to draw for tho past month's , milk. This is an instance («ays the "Wairarapa Standard") of what can bo done even at a bad time of the year like Inst month. Several more farmers intend pending their supply to’this company this week.

, A scourge in the form of a blight of the ordinary type has overtaken practically the whole of the turnip crops in the Plain, and many acres of the crop have been absolutely ruined. Should the coming winter be a severe one, it will go very hard with farmers, more especially those who have depended upon their turnip crops for tho winter fowling of cattle. A settler on the Eltham road, Mr T. H. Prowsc, a few days ago threshed a small stack of oats which yielded 76 bnsshels to tho acre. Since the harvest the paddock has been ploughed, and is now found to be pelf-sown at the rate of about four bushels to tho acre, s <r that tho crop averaged 80 bushels. The selfsown seed, Mr Prowso reports, is growing splendidly, and will make nice winter feed.

As showing the decreased prices ruling for sheep at the present time, it is of interest to learn that tho annual draft of tho Mount Somers' estate ewe®, offered at the Tinwald yards the other day, brought only 14s 3d, as compared with an average price in former years ' about 20st In 1905 the ewes brought 2m 3d, and the quality of those ofitred was equal to that of any sheep previously sold at the yards. • In 1907 the price obtained for the draft was 16s 3d. | Thera are several districts in which apiarists have suffered considerably owing to the drought and bush fires, but in other districts again the honey crop has been very good; generally the outlook is very good for the industry. The apiaries, says Mr Hopkins, the chief apiarist, is being welcomed everywhere. Practically no opposition has been met •with by either himself or the inspectors. Even those whom the Act most affects have been found favourable to it when it has been fully explained to them. New-laid eggs from South Australia may now be enjoyed at British breakfast tables at half the price of Homo new-laid eggs. Thousands of dozens have already been received in excellent condition, despite their journey of thirteen thousand miles. They keep because they are infertile eggs, carefully selected, chilled, but not frozen, and scientifically packed. Over four million British eggs were landed in New York the other day, paying a duty of 2jd per dozen. Fresh eggs now command. 3s per dozen there. No tenantry, State or otherwise (savs the "Taranaki Horaid") are ever likely to become inspired with the same strong love of country that exists among the small peasant proprietors of Franco. And when the "back-to-the-land" policy becomes a mater of urgent necessity, it will always be found, in the United States, in England, or in New Zealand, that tho greatest inducement to people to go on the land is the prospect of obtaining a portion, be it small or large, for their very own, to be handed down from generation to generation. During the last week (says the " Christ -

church Press”) tho weather at Cheviot has been remarkably mild. The effects of the recent heavy rain are now to be soon in a renewed pasture. The days and nights have been warm and dry, and hence tho growth after much moisture is verv noticeable. The grass "has a splendid chance of drying and hardening, and 60 will be much more nourishing. Already the hills and downs country, which presented such a monotonous brown aspect, arc showing a spnng-liko appearance. Given a month of similar -....-•lher there will be plenty of food for stock.

In detailing tho effect upon farmers of awards of the Arbitration Court in connection with industries with which farmers arc connected, Mr R. Evans stated at. the Conciliation Board at L-an-"iora that thov had had these awards piled on thorn’ during the last five ' six years. Tho latest award made in the meat-freezing industry had meant in tho case of tho Canterbury Frozen Meat Company an additional expenditure in wages of .£6OOO per annum. As the company mentioned freeze for farmers, the last mentioned had to make up tho extra cost of labour by paying 5 per cent, more for their freezing.

An example of the value of young gorso as fodder for sheep is cited by Mr E. Scott, of Havelock (©ays the "New Zealand Herald”). Mr Scott has recently cleared a paddock of eight acre©, part of which comprised an old orchard, and the whole very densely covered with gorso. H© had a good burn, and after the young grass and gorse shoots began to .-now, 10 sheep were put into tho paddock. None of the sheep weighed over 351 b when turned in, but after remaining there during the whole of tho severe dry spell, feeding on nothing but goree and mothrinfected apples, there is hardly one of the animals that does not tip the beam at 60lb to 651 b.

A week of damp, warm weather in South Canterbury (says the "Press”) has been followed in that district by several days of bright sunshine. Threshing has gone on almost uninterruptedly lately, and harvest work is completed. Wheat is threshing out well. Oats are not so good a crop as wheat, but wore harvested in good condition. Although much improved since the recent rains, turnips nro much behind, not having recovered from the effects of the dry weather experienced in the, early stages of growth. Pastures never looked bettor at this season that they do now, and with a few weeks' more mild weather good feed for winter will be assured.

When replying to the toast of "The Agricultural Interests” at a gathering at Invercargill, Councillor Hamilton said that it was generally thought that any man could _ go on the land and be successful. This was a great mistake. To be a successful farmer a man had to bo possessed of sound judgment, foresight, have a knowledge of the u

kets, and possess other qualifications; but > above all be wanted practical experience. Without the latter a man could hardly hope to succeed. Ho once hoard of a city man putting his sor to farm work because the young fellow had weak ©yes. The fact was mentioned to an old farmer, who remarked, "Farming will soon open, his eyes for him!”

"An appalling (rise in the price of butter," observes the "British Australasian," "has servCf! as a reasonable reminder to the inhabitants of these islands of the *fact that there is a British Empire after all. The Briton learns with surprise that h© has been enjoying cheap butter for many" winters because of the enterprise of Australia and New Zealand, and that butter is dear this year because of a spring drought in those countries. The consumer never knew before that this was Australasian butter, because before it reached hie table someone had labelled it best English, Danish, Brittany, or what not. The only evidence to the layman of the presence of Australian butter in this country lies in g the little bundles of firewood, on which brands such os Traralgon, Glenwood, etc., may sometimes be traced."