GLEANINGS

New Zealand Times, Volume XXXIII, Issue 7869, 3 August 1911, Page 2

GLEANINGS

..\n English authority essays to give tlia total value of the world’s wool pro-

Auction, which it states is .£1.281.333,333. It estimates the number of «hoep at 5(4,000,000. and takes the average weight of wool .shorn per sheep at Tib. It is. however, very much open to question whether Tib is not an excessive figure to apply to .sheep of all countries, and this fact largely iliscouuts the value of the estimate given. .. Motuoka is fast developing its fruitraising industry, and a very practical illustration of what the prospective returns will bo is given in the value ut land suitable for orchards in that district. I.and that could bo obtained at about 8s an acre six years ago has since changed hands at a minimum, of <RIA while* in some cases T2O is quoted. Planting D going on so rapidly this winter that on one day over a hundred tons of fruit trees were landed at Motnoka wharf. It is -estimated that growers have imported 200 tons of Tasmanian. apple trees .this year. Production has already reached such proportions that it is hoped to get a complete cargo .away from the district to England next season. If noj-hing but .frui/: is carried in tho refrigerating space, it is considered that the difficulties met with iu trial shipments will be ©a-silv surmount ed, and the apples ho landed in just as good condition ns Tasmanian apples arc. The cow is a much-despised animal in rsome quarters, .but she has made many an independent fanner in New Zealand, and will do much more in that dirooHon in the future. Although no one who goes .in for dairying intends to stick at it all their lives, it is a very profitable industry, and one that can bo started on a comparatively small capital. But dairy cows must bo well and liberally treated to get: the best results. They can only do as they are done by, aiul no breed, however good a reputation it may have, can succeed cm stingy rations and indifferent treatment. Besides liberal feeding. I am persuaded that winter-rugging is osential to thel>e«fc result*; -from cows. Even in the North Island herein are being rugged, and if that can bo done .with profit in a much warmer climate than we have, it will surely pay us to spend less fclian fifteen shillings on each cow in purchasing a cover that will, with care, last for .several years.