AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 2677, 5 September 1870, Page 2

AGRICULTURAL REPORT.

{The Argus, August 25th.)

Breadstuffs are still rising, though intermittently. Stocks of flour are running short in Melbourne, but every day affords hope of their being shortly renewed, so purchases are delayed as long as possible, but every shower of rain lessens the chance of even a moderately good harvest, for grain must be sown now with great risk of failure, and the longer the ground is kept wet, the less probability is there of the early sown crops being worth the cutting. Wheat is becoming more scarce each week, as the country roads remain almost impassable still. Malting barley is in good demand, and oats are looking up again after the short period of depression. The demand for hay has been comparatively slack this week so far, but the supply has not increased much, and prices are maintained at the slight advance established last week.

The day for the annual horse show is fast approaching, and many imported and colonial animals are already advertised for sale. There are to be sold on the 6th September some imported and colonial bulls of a high class. First on the list comes Nelson, bred at one of the Royal farms, and got by England's Glory, from Norma, half Booth and half Bates. As England's G-lory is all Booth, Nelson may be called mostly Booth, with a dash of Bates in him, to give style as well as substance, a favourite mode of breeding now with the owners of some of the most fashionable herds. Prince Earnest is more thoroughly Booth, and is nearly related to Patricia, the winner of so many prizes in England, and afterwards sold for 1000 guineas to go to America. Then comes Lord Clare, a Bates bull of the Duke and Wild Eyes tribes, so that admirers of either of the great strains of blood may find something to satisfy them. These bulls were all chosen in England by Mr John Mickle, and he should know what is wanted here. One of the Mount Derrimit bulls ia to be sold on the same day, Imperial Butterfly 4th, by Imperial Butterfly 2nd, from one of the Jessamines. Several other bulls of less distinguished families are, we believe, to be sold on the same day. German sheep are not required here now, according to the breeders of Australian merinos, but perhaps a draught from the Hampton Court flock of George 111. will be more acceptable. It is generally known that this flock hag been in the hands of the Messrs Sturgeon since the time when it ceased to be the property of royalty, and they certify that it has been kept without cross or stain ever since. Six young rams from the flock arrived by the Hampshire this weekj one of them unfortunately dying almost immediately after being landed. They are Btrong sheep, thickly clothed with wool, »nd certainly exhibit no appearance of weakness as the consequence of their in-breeding. .Being also of the same blood from whioh the Camden sheep are said, though not very truly, to be descended, they ought to be highly prized by some of our breeders here. They are not to be sold until the 20th of September. The making of sugar from beet is also receiving much attention just now. The company in Melbourne is to receive a fresh impetus, and a company is likely to be formed at Warrnambool to promote the growth of beet, and such other crops as may be expected profitably to supersede potatoes, which are not paying just now. At a meeting last week the first resolution carried was, " That with a view of advancing the interests of the agriculturists and residents in the district generally, it is desirable to stimulate the culture of the sugar beet and other products suitable to our soil and climate, and which have had little or no attention hitherto." The second affirmed that although it was proved that the sugar-beet grew freely in the district, it was advisable that the first step should be the appointment of a provisional committee to ascertain the cost of a factory, and other particulars about the manufacture, and especially the fitness and value of the roots grown in the district for sugar-making. This was a very sensible commencement, and the committee was appointed accordingly, with instructions to obtain all the information it can, and report to a future meeting. It was mentioned by one speaker at the meeting that the farmers near Woodford, having some money in hand after paying the prizes at their last ploughing match, had ordered seeds of the best kinds of beet, with a view to their distributing among them, growing the roots, and sending samples to Melbourne to ascertain their value. This was also a wise proceeding, but sugar-beet will not pay if carried far ; the marketable extracts must be taken from it neai where it grows. The boundaries of each inspector's district have been proclaimed under the new Scab Act, but this does not seem to be working well as far as it has been tested. The old and the new law appear to have been jumbled together in a manner fatal to most of the cases brought forward as yet, but perhaps the administrators are to be blamed for this, not the law itself.