FARM AND STATION NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19700, 29 January 1926, Page 4

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

FORTHCOMING SHOWS. 1926. February 16, 17, 18. 19.—Masterton. March 17.—Lake County. March 25.—Geraldine. April s.—Mackenzie. One of the most important subdivisions carried out in the district for some considerable time was made recently when the well-known Makarika station on the East Coast, near Tokomaxu Bay, was sold privately. The station, which comprised some 14,000 acres of first-class country, produces some of the finest wool in the district, and at the first Napier sale this year the hogget fleeces brought 19id, the highest price paid for Poverty Bay wool. The station was divided up into seven sections, each approximating 2000 acres in area, and the price ranged from £l2 10s to £ls per acre, the higher price being paid for the homestead blocks. As this ts one of tho first big sales made' in the district since preslump days, it is considered that the value? give a fair indication of what land is worth at present. *.•* * • * Last season New Zealand again maintained its supremacy in the quality of fruit sent over and in the price obtained over any other country of shipment. The quality of Cox’s Orange Pippins, Delicious. Jonathans, and Sturmers was quite exceptional. There is no doubt that the market for new Zealand ■ fruit is steadily finding favour and the tendency is growing on the part of consumers to ask specifically for New Zealand Iruit. * * * * One -very promising feature of fruit from New! Zealand is that, though mistakes in plenty may be made, the same mistake is not made in following years. Consequently, as time goes by, the .fruit and its handling are improved. This year, with the exception of collapse on the part of Sturmers, (he fruit was in wonderfully good condition. Tbe English, market went to pieces verv badlv in July, owing to the exceptionally successful small frurt season, wmea glutted the market with this type of fruit, and naturally as a consequence lowered the price of hard pip fruits. * * * * According to the Stamford Mercury of 100 years ago. Mr Hart, of Ketton Lodge, near this place (Stamford), underwent a surgical operation on Sunday se n-m.gnt, in consequence of having been bitten by a donkey supposed to bo mad. The animal was Iving in tho farmyard, apparently ih, when 'Mr Hart went np to see what was the matter, and was immediately seized by the ass and severely bitten in the hand. He took the precaution of coming toStamloia and having the bitten parts excised; and before his return to Ketton the as, tad died. It is an alarming fact that within a few weeks past Mr Thompson, of Pm well and Mr Hunt have respectively lost several sheep, which have died with every indication of madness. * * * * A list of the £0 leading dairy «>ws m Scotland has been prepared by the Scottish Milk Records Association. Hi preparing the list the association calculated milk yie.Q •md buttcr-fat percentage, and only included those cows that calved again vvithin 13 mjpnths. The first five cows m this list are British Friesians, the sixth is a Jei se.v the seventh a shorthorn, the eighth to the* thirteenth Friesians, and the fourteenth afi Ayrshire. lie British Fnesiaji cow She if AH K M. “twice 20C0l Thorpe j a H “d b " percentage was 5.83 in laro aim 1524. .... The provision of shelter-trees and hedges for stock depasturing on grass is mo important aspect ot farming. As the am S spend the bulk of their time m .he fields provision should be made, by the planting of adequate shelter belts or clumps o r trees to protect them from the hot sun and cold biting wind or driving rams. Such an undertaking would quickly . f ° r ”, self bv means of increased production and a reduction of the numbers of animals sick. Even trees are a long time m growing their presence on the farm even as sapl ngs •will greatly enhance the value of the land on the market Having Ptovided dichcr for your animals, it is certain that you will also profit by an increase m the value of your farm. * * • * Tbero is a wide diversity of opinion this vear as to the probable yield of crops in Canterbury. The rain has been irrepfiar and verv patchy, gnd whilst some distnc s ere .looking decidedly backward others again promise fairly well up to the average. However, the bulk of opinion is that generally the yields per aero will be well under normal. New stuff is being offered very sparingly, and most of what has oomo before merchants notice is assessed by farmers at more than the trade s ideas. . , , . * Last week a sale of stud and flock Romneys took place at Feilding. The sheep were from the flocks of the Ernest Short estate, founder of the Parorangi type, and of his son, Mr Norman J. Short, a. promising young breeder. The estate sales unde the hammer realised just on £SOOO, or an average of £ll each for the offering. The stud cheep offered by the state realised just on 1670 guineas, and those (five) of Mr N. Short “251 guineas, averaging just on SO guineas and 50' guineas eacn resnectively. Eo tho flock rams offered by the estate approximately 1480 guineas was obtained, or an average of 11.8 guineas each, and for those offered by Mr Norman Short approximately 1298 guineas was received, or an average of 10.5 guineas eacn. The highest price paid was 185 guineas for a ram. • * • • The simplest way to ascertain the approximate weight of a pig from measurement is just to take its girth behind the forelegs in inches. A pig S6in in girth, if of medium length and well fed, should give a dressed carcase weight of 6st—that is 841 b. Practically for every inch over 36 in girth a stone (141bj will be added. A pig Win in girth should give a carcase weight of lOst (1401 b). A lengthy pig, however, that is also prime fat will give a rather heavier carcase weight than 10s l if is is 40in in girth. The rule holds best for pigs of 6st to Bst or 9sk that make tidy porkers or small baconera,

By Rusticus. [ltems e! interest to those engaged in agricnitnral and pastoral pnrsnits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will bo welcomed. They should be addressed to “Busticus,” Otago Doily Times, Dunedin.]