GLEANINGS.

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXII, Issue 7140, 30 May 1910, Page 12

GLEANINGS.

A Mastorton farmer states that the recent frosts haye had a decidedly beneficial effect on the land. Stock has not been, suffering, as there has been no cold rain, while the cold will have the effect of killing many insect pests. From Messrs Hy. S. Fitter and Sons I learn (says the 'Tastoralists’ B-eview” correspondent) that the quality of somT of the best brands of New Zeaiaiod mut* ton that have been coming to hand; leaves much to be desired, and the eating quality of £6mo of the 80-callcd prime mutton can hardly be exj>ected to give satisfaction to the consumer. Taranaki figures -for the month of April show a marked falling off when compared with previous months. For April, Hawera will pay out <£3274. The amount of butter-fat received was 78,5831b5'. Normanby suppliers took to their factory 29,4341bs of butter-fat and they will receive between them JSI22C. Hells factory received 21,9091bs of but-ter-fat and the milk cheque will total .£913. All the pay-outs, will be at the rate of lOd per lb.' Thus the Utiku correspondent of the Wanganui "Chronicle^: —‘’“’The Egmont Box Company are about to remove their headquarters from Eltham to here; also their factory for the manufacture of butter-boxes and cheese crates. The site' for the factory is being cleared, and active preparations are in progress for the erection of the plant, construction of tramways, etc. This ne.-w industry will give a fillip to. the town;, which has been very quiet for some considerable lime."

The farmers' open class, inaugurated by the Egmont Agricultutrril and Pastoral Association for two acres or more swede turnips and two acres or more •mangolds (conjointly) was this year won. by Mr J. H. Sellers, Okaiawa. Mr Sellers' ideal farm is widely known, and probably no fanner gives more time to the general appearance .and upkeep of a farm than, the gentleman mentioned, Mr -Sellars has generously donated tho amount of the prize money, viz., X 3, as a special prize for this class next year. A further area of 10;CiOO acres of Hauraki Plains (formerly . Piako Swamp) land will be opened by the Government for settlement on the optional tenure in November. The farms will range between 15Q and 250 acres, and much of the land is of the best quality available, so that a rush of selectors may be-’ expected on similar lin t os to the recent ballot, when 5552 a>ersons applied for the 110 sections. Drainage operations are being continued, and two contracts will probably be let shortly for the big diversion of the Piako river known as Wright's, canal.