THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 11253, 25 October 1898, Page 3

THE AGRICULTURAL DEPARTMENT.

EEVIEAV OF THE PAST YEAR,

(Fkoii Ouh Own' Correspondent.) WELLINGTON, October 18. The sixth annual report for the year ending 31st March last of tho Department of Agriculture was laid on the table of the House this afternoon by the Hon. J. M'Kenzio. From the summary of Mr Ritchie, secretary of the department, the following interesting extracts are taken: — chops. The harvest of 1898 has not been satisfactory in so far as the yield of grain is concerned, but the prices offering are much beyond anything ruling for many years, and this, to some extent, will make up for the poor yields last season. The greater part of tho wheat-growing districts of the Middle Island suffered from drought, which has continued with but slight intermission up to date. In the districts south of Dunedin the weather during the winter and spring months was extremely backward, being cold and wet; consequently many of the crops were late in being sown, "and therefore many of them will be only fit for chaffing. The area under wheat was 345,801 acres, an increase of 64,193 on tho previous year. There were available for ail purposes, as from February 31, 5,620,521 bushels, and, deducting from this 5,329,402 bushels required for seed and consumption, leaves an apparent surplus of only 291,119 busbels; so that there is practically no wheat available for export, either in the shape of grain or flour. The estimated yield, as taken I in January, was 21 bushels, but a very heavy gale was experienced shortly after that, which, combined with the continued dry, weather, reduced the actual yield, which haß since been ascertained from the threshing returns to be 17.95 bushels. Tho price ranges from 4s 6d to 5s per bushel of 501b. Tha oat crop suffered in a like manner to tiie wheat crop. The area under this cereal, after deducting 30,000 acres estimated as cut for chaff or fed off, is 354,819 acres, a decrease of 17,788 acres compared with last year. The actual yield is given at 27.44 bushels, which brings out the total yield as 9,738,391 bushels. Tho market .price ranges from 2s to 2s 9d per bushel. The acreage under barley is much the same as last year, being 29,920 acres, but the actual yield is Jess by 4.28 bushels per acre. There ! is an excellent demand for all well-coloured samples. The areas under rye, peas, beans, tares, ami linseed aro considerably less, and it is to be regretted that the latter crop is being neglected more and more every year. It is; of the utmost importance that such food should be extensively grown to, supplement tho separated-milk, which is now fed so largely to dairy calves. There is an increase of 2303 acres under maize, but the crop is reported as having been vory much damaged by frosts. The total yield, however, will be quite.up to last season's yields. SEEDS. The area under ryegrass, white clover, and red clover for seed shows a large decrease, principally in the Canterbury district. Cocksfoot shows a slight increase in acreage, but the yield per acre is less, owing to the unfavourablo weather— 1511b per acre as against 1631b last year. i Attention is drawn to the fact that large quantities of worthless seed are offered to. the public, and the attention of the agricultural and pastoral societies and farmers' clubs is invited to the matter. j. . , . BOOTS. There is an increased area under potatoes of 6412 acres, the total area being 36,402 acres, and thff yield per acre 4.95 tons. The j quality is not up to the average. Tho turnip crop is.generally poor, but both | mangolds and rapo show an increase. The fattening of lambs accounts for the increased area of rape in cultivation. WEEDS AND PESTS. Nothing has been done to check the dissemination of noxious weeds. Every day brings proof of their ever-increasing spread, especially of tho Canadian thistle. Tho depredations of the small bird post continue to increase; and the local bodies find themselves unable to cope with the evil. The trouble lifls in the want of simultaneous action on the part of those interested. Tho only way to deal with the matter is either for the department to step in, or provide means whereby local bodies would be compelled to take united action. • . HEMP. The outbroak of war between Spain and | America caused a revival in the market for I this fibre. The demand is likely to continue. . AB'BOr. DAT. The 7th "of July was declared Arbor Day, but it is doubtfulif much planting was carried out. The apathy shown in this direction is deplorable. , . ]?R*OIT. No alteration was made in the Orchard and Garden Pests' Act last -session, and the consequence'is that considerable quantities of diseased, fruit are being sent from infosted districts into practically clean districts. Proclamations . wera issiued in December last prohibiting ' the, importation of scale-infested fruit and. -'fruit iniestedrwith the Queensland fruit fly. AH shipments are now inspected, and infested-fruit condemned. Since this lias been done the quality of the citrus fruit especially has'improved in aramarkable degree. .*.'.'' ' DAIBTING. The graders' report that the great fault in our butter is " off flavour." The instructors arc of opinion that this,is mainly duo to the careless handling of the. milk before delivery at the 'factory. ■ The prices for butter have been'uniformly good, but for cheese considerably lower than those ruling for some time back. The export of butter for 1897-98 shows aniincrease over the preceding year of 31,553 ewt, of tho value of £131,8£9, and of cheese ofi 7042 -ewti of the 'value of £18,433.

The establishment of a permanent dairy school, which it is hoped will shortly be Btcrtocl; will prove of vast importance to tho industry. Not only will it be available for carrying out experiments, but it should also bo a-blo to supply thoroughly trained managers for our factories., . • MEAT EXPORT. An increase is shown of 308,116 carcases oF mutton, 4-77,119 carcases of lamb, and 46,602 owt of beef. It is generally conceded that the presont system of insuring the meat is wrong. The liability of the insurance companies should end on receiving a clean discharge from the ship, at furthest on delivery into store. But, instead, the meat is held covered for 30 days after the arrival of tho steamer. Such a system encourages all sorts of claims to be ' made up to the date of the expiry of the policy. Mr Cameron, produce commissioner in London, is strongly of opinion that arrangements should be made to open one shop at least solely for the sale of Now Zealand meat in each town of importance. ■ Those, combined with judicious advertising, should bring our meat prominently before the public. ' SHEEP. ' ' » The number of sheep returned on 30th April, 1897, was 19,687,654-, an increase of 549,461. It is estimated that over 11,000. sheep were lost in'tho bush districts of the North Island through tho fires which occurred last summer. Such a loss is greatly to 'be deplored, and will bear hardly on some settlers. But, on the other hand, the country.will be much improved by being cleared of dead timber, rubbish, etc. CATTLE. During the .year the inspectors have examined a large number and condemned all showing signs of disease. The Government veterinarians ha-vo also tested several hundred head with tuberculin. The percentage of re-acting animals varies in different districts, those with tho greatest extremes of climate' being tho worst. If the same close inspection had been exorcised in theso districts some few years ago, tho number of tuberculous animals would now be very small. With card and attention, this disease could be almost eradicated in five or six years. nonsES. The returns privo tho number as 253,227," or an increase of 2980. There is still, much room for improvement in the different breeds. The want'of suitable sires is much felt. Horses of tho Cleveland stamp are required; not highactioned trotters or weedy thoroughbreds. The demand for draughts has been extremely active, and should the high price for wheat continue, this class of stock is bound to maintain its value. The botfly does not seem to have been so troublesome an in former years. tigs. A decrease of 23,807 made up of all classes is somewhat unaccountable. No doubt the increased prices for grain, combined with the exceptionally dry weather and consequent scarcity of roots, has caused many people io I give up pig-breeding. It is to be regretted that such a, promising industry as bacon curing assuredly is should bo hampered through want of supplies. rabbits. Under this heading we are told that the Wairarapa district continues to improve. There are, however, still a few spots requiring close attention. The settlers in the Hutt districts have been urged to greater activity, anil with satisfactory results. ...