ON THE LAND.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXX, Issue 6492, 11 April 1908, Page 3

ON THE LAND.

ANSWERS TO CORRESPONDENTS. [We shall ho glad to answer, as tar as posoihlo (ill questions relating,to the pastoral, agricultural, ami dairying ilnstries. hoa-milturo. horticulture poul-try-raining, etc. Inquirers must semi their full narno and ndclrcsa. as a guar ail too of good faith, but may also forward a iiom-dc-plumc for the. purposes o. ropjy, Header*} ara also invited to forward corn went or personal experience 01 any point* rained in tiieno anHwerHor m tUis pago.—Eii. Land Page. N-A X lines, 1 WOOL BALE. April 10.—Ualcety and Co., Levin, special wool, ekln, and bide. STOCK SALES.

Thursday.—Abraham and Williams, Shannon; Abraham and Williams, [ Jj l \ KCty f d C0.,-and N.Z.L. and &I.A. Co., craton. Friday,—Dalgoty and Co., Levm lapcual sale).

portion of our crop and garden p<*>ts.' An instance wan quoted by tho Biologist of n Bainplo of Now Zealand grafts wed Kent to Now South Wales, which, on examination, wa« found to consist of forty per cent, of perennial rye, twenty per cent, of creeping trefoil, and forty per cent, of a miscellaneous collection, consisting of goose grass, dock, sorrel, plantain, wild amaranth, Yorkshire fog, and other useless weeds and grasses. The saving effected by buying Audi seed would be from la 2d to 2s tkl an acre, as against a dead loss of nearly fifty per cent, on qach year’s earning of the pasture. Thus two acres of land would bo required to support the logitinuito blocking of one. Besides this tho useful graces being eaten bare ana tho weeds rejected in tho natural course of reproduction the latter would get a still further hold of the land. EF.FECTICE ADVICE.

Tho advice of tho Biologist was continued year after year, appeals being made at, the same time for a measure to deal with tho trouble. Tho report of. the Department contains reports each year on analyses of seed samples. These show that the general quality of the seed has improved since tho question was first taken up by tho Biologist. There is still, how. ever, an immense amount of poor seed sold which should not be allowed to be put in tho ground. In a laio report of the Department it was pointed out that though so much of this foul seed was on tho market the Biologist did not blamo the vendors so much. They keep good seed for those who will pay tho price. But many farmers demand cheap seed, and they get it, and, naturally, with it get a large amount of rubbish. DATE INSTANCES OF IMPURITY,

That there is still a lot of very poor seed on tho market is shown by an examination mudo in tho biological laboratory last month of some samples emit in by several dealers, as the following germination teste will show: Rye grass, 77’ p.c.; another sample, 70 p.c.; cocksfoot, 69 p.c.; crested dugs* tail, GL p.c.; Chewing’* rescue, 8 p.c.; aisvke. Of p.c.; while clover, 20 p.c.; another sample, G p.c.; sheep’s fescue, 50 p.c.; rye grass, 95 p.c.; another sample, 37 p.c.; cocksfoot, 73 p.c.; crested dogstuil, 94 p.c.; chewing’s fescue, 81 p.c.; liorin. i 8 p.c.; olsyke, 80 p.c.; white clover, G 5 p.c.; rye grass, 82 p.c.; cocksfoot, GS p.c.; crested dogstuil, 91 p.c.; white clover, 78 p.c. This shows that while there is good seed on the market there is ateo a considerable (proportion of very poor samples. This must continue so long as the Department is not protected by the Act above referred to in publishing tho names of those supplying these worthless samples. It is but fair to say in connection with the analyses quoted, that the seed was well cleaned, tho heaviest percentage of impurity being only 6 p.c.; it was in germinating power where many of the samples were weak.

advancing the egg yield

There i« little doubt that the principle sw sjz w 58 * p?o i B socuA“°ho world. Take the procedure. At each of tho stations twenty pullets .if each breed are being selected on the XloLom test lor next season s breeding pens tho light birds being graded at six months, the heavy birds at seven months. These pens will bo and those proving by this conclusive test to bo high-grade layers will be reserved for the Weeding pons at next season. It is gratifying to know that tho utility poultry men of the Dominion are at last appreciating the State 1 o.iltij Division and art* do pend in;; moro ami jaoro un Urn State sitting xor the improvement of their ilocks.

KENTUCKY SADDLE HORSE

rjJB BREED IN NKW ZEALAND.

It is not generally known that the great hack of IUo Uluted Spates ol America, the Kentucky saddle horse, is represented in this country. A good stallion of the breed was introduced Homo years ago by Air Atu,phy, ( ot Poverty Bay. The half-bred stock ho has loft in that district has proved the wisdom of Mr Murphy's j udgment. ,1 he American breed is a-nice blocky animal with fine quality, and a great weight carrier. When judging at » Gisborne bHo’V a fow seasons back Mr J.Ccombee, dE Waitotara, woll-kmnvn as tho breeder and owner of the invmciblo jumper Duchess, was so struck with the quality of tho stock by the Kentucky horse that ho secured a yountf stallion, Mr Murphy refusing to part with,the sire. Ihe purchased by Mr Ccombes is out of a thoroughbred mare, Dolly Varden, by Anteroe. This stallion takes very much after his father, but i 3 built on larger lines. Ho stands about 15i hands and is full of quality and strength. A feature la his build—characteristic of tho Kentucky horse—is his splendid middle piece, short in the buck, a fine loin, and well sprung rib. His teet are particularly good—a well-spread shapely hoof of line quality. Mr Coorahes intends putting him to all classes of mares, and expects to get something which will hold their own in .any show ring. With some descendants' of Duchess and his Kentucky half-bred, .the Waitotara horseman should have a strong string for show work in a few years' time.

IMPURE SEED

DEPARTMENT'S REPEATED WARNINGS. PROJECTED LEGISLATION. The concern of the Auckland A. and P. Association in regard to the extent of eced adulteration is unfortunately too well founded. The high percentage of impurity in the agricultural seeds of the Dominion has been referred to year after year by the Government Biologist, and the tireless advocacy by this ollicer of the need of something being done to prevent this victimising of tanners—in the resultant lower feeding value of their pastures and the prisoning of their la*' is with 'Worthless rubbish—has tulted in the existence of a measure dealing with, tho matter, which, though supported by A. and F• conferences and conferences of the farmers union, is yet to be placed on the statute book. Short as the coming session will be, it may bo that the delayed measure will be passed into law this year. The object c/ the Bill is to give power to the Department of Agriculture to publish tho results of its seed analyses—tho name of the firm supplying the *eod, the mark upon the sample, the price aslosd, where the sample does not come direct, the name of the person through who©© hands it has reached tho De?artmment, and the percentage of impurity* tho constitution of tho impurity* and‘the percentage of germination calculated upon pure seed. , AN OFFICIAL WAHNING.

As far back as 1884 the Government biologist referred to tho impurity of seed. He wrote in his annual report of that year on the subject of weeds: "Tho most prolific source of infection is impure seed. This is the principal agency by which weeds of all kinds are introduced, and as this is the chief aid to introduction eo also is it the greatest carrier and desseminator. I hriye examined ©ample© of seed containing so largo a porportion of weed seeds that they could only bo described as foul. Yet this seed wont Into the gound, the good and bad grew together until the reaping, and then the farmer was surprised to find what a poor harvest he had got. Nevertheless the seed from this very paddock was saved for future sowing! Tho great curs© of the farmer is cheap seed. Usually it means impure seed, and thus cheap seed turns out in tho end to be many many times more costly than the best that can be bought. It should require little consideration to convince tho farmer that tho cost of ridding his ground of a largo crqp of weeds will be far greater than the difference between the price of foul and clean seed. Moreover, seedcleaning machinery has now been brought to such a pitch of perfection that it is possible to get feecd almost if not absolutely pure. It must also bo remembered that in addition to tho expense of eradication weeds do an almost incalculable amount of harm to the crops and pasture, for not only do they tiike up space, which shpuld bo occupied bv more useful varieties, but they absorb a very largo proportion of the food and moisture which should go to stimulate tho growth of tho crop. Thus, if neglected, they rob the farmer of ins returns and then compel him to incur further expenditure in order to ■fight them. Incessant war must bo waged against tho growth of all weeds, otherwise they soon begin to dispute possession of tho soil, and if not overcome the crop or pasture frequently comes off second best.

"Of weeds in this country the old proverb is true indeed: 'One years* seeding is seven years* weeding.’ Moreover, they are responsible for a largo pro-

PAT SHEEP RECORD

INDICATION OF EAT STOCK SH. OUTAGE.

Everything points to a considerable shortage of fat stock this winter. The drought, n shortage’of winter feed, and a probable early winter, all mean a lessened production of fat stock. Consequently fat sheep for local, consumption are already at a high value. It is stated that tho price of fat sheep in Auckland is up to 255, and yesterday, at Air McDonald’s clearing sale-at Levin, Dalgoty and Co. secured for their client 21a XOd for fat wethers. There was a lino of 250 four to six-tooth Lincolncross wethers in prime condition, and they sold at from 21s fid to 21s lOd. Tho purchasers were Wellington butchers. This is over four shillings higher than the toip price realised at Johnsonville this season. A lino of 500 fat and forward wethers, sold at the Levin sale, mado from 16s lid to 17s Id.

-GLEANINGS.

Thoro is a pen of six white Leghorn pullets at the State poultry farm at Burnham which has laid 1179 eggs in nine months, and they are still going strong.

A number of Wairarapa farmers intend to make up a party to visit Queensland in June for the purpose of inspecting the EUrling Downs land which Air R. W. D. Weaver is placing. Mr W. Chowen, formerly a resident of l»almerston, and recently farming at Pohangina (says tho "Feilding Star”), has removed his herd of fifty dairy cows to Taranaki, where he has secured another farm. They tire a fine lot of cows, and in first rate condition. For the month of March, at the Kakaramea Co-operative Dairy Factory, 67 suppliers contributed 1,232,3711b5. milk which contained 511,615ib5. butter, fat, from which was nAide 59,0001b5. commercial butter, showing an over-run of 11.61 per cent. It took 20.72ib5. of milk to make lib. butter, the. average test being 1.17. Nine tons less butter was manufactured than in March, 1907.

It pays shrewd men now to give up to £l2O an acre for Hawke’s Bay fruit lands, and an apple orchard is Ii surer and more profitable thing than soft fruit (says the ‘‘Mauawatu Times").. If £BO per acre per Uuuum can be netted by certain Frimley orchards oii soft fruits what could the people on this coast make out of apples worked with equal skill? Where can dairying or flaxgrowing reach such u net return?

THE MARKETS

YESTERDAY’S STOCK SALES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) LEVIN.

Dalgety and Co., Ltd., report:—At the annual sal© of surplus stock to-day, on account of Mr R. McDonald, about 10,000 sheep and 200 head of cattlo vicre submitted to a large attendance of buyers. There was an exceptionally good demand for wethers, and all sheep sold excepting aged ewes. All cattle found purchasers. Heavy fat wethers 21s Cd to 21s 9d, good fat and forward wethers 15s Id to 17s Id, fat ewes and wethers 15s 7d, 2-tooth ewes He 3d to 11s 6d, 3 and 4-tooth ewes 10a 7d to 11s sd. Romney rams 4gn to 1-JgnSf 3J-year bullocks m Qo to £o 7s 6d, fat bullocks wG6 to ■£& 40, fat cows to -S4 Is, fonvard tows £2 12s to «£3 17s fid. 2J-year steors <£2 7e to c£3, store cows 33j to 465. E ANGLW AHIA, Tho Loan end Mercantile Tigency Company report: —At .Enngiwaliia on theSth Inst, there was a good yarding of sheep, mostly wethers. Competition at auction was fairly brsik, with tho result that nearly tho whole of the yarding of sheep was =olcl at market rates. Wethers sold well at up to 13s lid. Cattle—Very few caino forward, ond the demand was nor keen. Two-tooth ewes 10s to 12s td, 2tooth wethers 10s to 12s 7d, mixed lambs 4s 3d to os 3d, 2-tooth ewes 13s Id; fat caws cS3 Vs, forward heifers £2 ss, empty heifers *CI 10s. EKETAHUNA.

Dalgotv and Co., Ltd.,' report: —A large yarding of sheep, mostly fair

quality, met with dragging Bale, but before tho day was done we managed to quit all but four lots. Buyers were present from all parts of the district. The cattlo entered met a dragging sale. We quote:-Two-tooth ewes up to 13s, 4tooth ewes to 12s 6d, f.f.m. to 9s Bd, cull owes 2s 2d to ss, shorn lambs to 7s lid. cull lambs 2s Gd to 4s, 2 and 4tooth to 12s lOd, 2-tooth wethers to 10s I 6d. Rams —Two-tooth Lincolns Signs, i aged Romneys to Ign, Southdown to 1| j gns. Cattle—Dairy cows to £2 15s, weaners Os to J3s. bulls 265. 2J-yoar steers to £2 19a, FEILDING, Tho Loan and Mercantile Agency Company report:—A hoavy yarding of sheep and a good entry of cattlo. Lambs Bold well, but. low-conditioned ewes were hard to quit. Cattlo met with medium inquiry. Cull lambs 2s to 3s Id, forward lambs 7s to 8s 2d, wether lambs 7b, Lincoln. woolly cwo lambs 10s 6d, Lincoln shorn ewe lambs Ids 6d, English Leicester qwo lambs Os, Romney cross owe lambs 8s 3d, fat ewes 11s 8d to 13s. forward wethers 13s Sd, 2-tooth ewer, {small) 10s 6d, rams 8s to 225, weauera 4s, store cows £1 Gs t cows in. culf £1 Its, forward cows £2 .4s, coirs and calves £2 Bs, springing'heifers £3 15s, 2-year steers £2 3s Gd. CLEARING BALE AT LOWER HUTT. Messrs Griffiths and Co.,'Ltd., report having conducted a clearing sale of horses, building implements, etc., on the Hall-Jones Estate, Lower Hutt. About 250 buyers attended. Bidding was very brisk, and when the horses were brought under tho, hammer competition was animated indeed. Considering that horses are somewhat down in price, the figures obtained were highly satisfactory, though some of the animals were above tho average quality. The highest price paid was for a bay gelding, light draught, ■155; a useful all-round hors© made .£l4 10s, and a spring cart gelding (aged) fell to tho bid of £3l. Others brought from £lO 5s to. £22 10s; buildings, £SO; carts and harness sold remarkably well, whilst implements and sundries realised high values. FRUIT AND PRODUCE. WELLINGTON QUOTATIONS. A very healthy tone continues to bo exhibited in tho local fruit markets, and there is ©very prospect of same keeping up; both apples *oid pears arc in strong demand, ond the latter fruit, after a long period of depression, an now almost certain - to rule at prices which will be found satisfactory to the grower. Compared with Ibist year, pear: have ruled recently at about 25 per cent to 50 por cent, lower; at tho sales y€«terday, however, prices revived to Ite 6d case for the best 1 sorts. Lemons continue in short supply, but with tin commencement very shortly of the l\e\ »xuiLh 'Wales-citrus fruit eeaeon the demand will bo more than fully met. Grapes from Australia are now commanding payable rates to the shipper, but the oaason will shortly be over. Supplies of Cook Islajid oranges are due to arrive on Tuesday next *ond should face an excellent market. . Apples, choice coloured dessert 8s 6d to lUs case; inferior 4s to 7s, cookers, choice large Gd to 5s Gd case; inferior 3s to 4©; peaches, choicest 6s to 8s half case, inferior 3s 6d to 4s 6d; plums 3s to 4s half case; quinces 3e to 4s cUse; pears, choice dessert- 9s to 10s 6d cUee, inferior sorts 6s to Ba, stewing 4s to 5s Gd case; Cape gooseberries 5d to 6d lb; passions (local) 4s to 5s box; grapes, local hothouse Is to 18 3d, others *6d to 8d lb. POTATOES AND ONIONS.

Tho potato market locally 'continues to bo very weak, and prices nave sh'ided slightly on recent rates. At the same time extra choice are in good demand, mere is an abundance available in the south, and supplies continue to otter freely in this district. There is, howcver. still a reluctance upon the part of 'farmers to unload. Apparently, hov, ever, they overlook .the sad experience which befell holders ’fast yaar through holding on to supplies, and tho consequent exploitation, of this market with Tasmanian at payable rates. Beat Oamaru Derwents 6s to 6s 6d owt; prime white 56 W to 5s 9d cwt; inferior 2s to 3s sack; onions, prime 7s to 7s 6d cwt; inferior 5s to Gs, picklers 7s to 9s owt, OTHER VEGETABLES. Prices generally are of a very satisfactory nature- Ctmiiflowers, choice 8s to 10s sack, inferior 5s to 7s; cabbages, host Sis to 10s sack, inferior 5s to 7e; beetroot 5s to 5s 6d sack; lettuce 3s ,6d to Is fid case; cucumbers 10s to 12s large case; tomatoes, choice 5s to 7s half Base, inferior and greon Is 6d to 3s fid; pumpkins 8s to 9s sack; French beans 7s to 9s half sack; mushrooms 3d to Id lb; swedes 2s fid to 3s cwt; spinach 3s to Is case; marrows Is to 6s sack. EGGS. There has been more inclination for best brands ruling at 2s for fresh, with dales for others at Is lOd to Is Hu; preserved are in fair request at Is 5a to Is fid doz. POULTRY. Fairly large quantities are coming to the local, markets from south and ideal districts.' Good boos 3s to 3s fid; roosters 3s to Is fid pair; ducks 6s to 6s pair; turkeys, gobblers 15s to. IVe fid; nens 8s to tbs. ? V Laery and Co., Ltd, ’Wellington, report wholesale prices ruling on the market:—AVheat, fowls' 5s 3d to 5s fid; oats, 3s to 3s 0d; seed oats, 3a 3d to 3o fid; maize, 5s 3d to 5s fid; crushed malt, 8b fid; Prussian blue peas, 6s to 6s fid, fowl peas ‘ls fid to Is 9d, all at per bushel; Hour, New Zealand .212 10s, Australian £ll to sell 10s; bran, £6 to £S esq rear barley, £l9; split peas, £lßlos;_bonedust, £6; superphosphates, £4lss to £5 ss; chaff (oatensheaf), £6 to £6 ss; oatmeal, £l3 10s; potatoes, .whites 5s fid to 6s fid; bacon, factory sides Bid, hams 9d, rolls 9id; butter, bulk lid to Is Id; poultry, hens 2s fid to 3s; ducks 5s fid; turkeys, gobblers 15s to 225, hens 8s to 9s, all at per pair; cauliflowers, 5s to 10s; cabbages, Is to 10s, all at per sack; peas (green), 9d to Is per peck; fresh, eggs 2s, preserved eggs Is fid per dozen; cheese, fid to Bid per lb;.onions, £7 to £7 10s per ton; Akaroa cocksfoot, lOd to lid; ryegrass. Is to 5s 3d per bushel.