FARM AND STATION NEWS.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 19801, 28 May 1926, Page 4

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By Rusticits

The first appearance of fire blight in New Zealand usually is noticed during the flowering period of the trees. From two to four weeks after the pollinaciof. season the blossoms and stalks of the trees begin to wilt and blacken. * * • * Lucerne is more difficuk to cure than any other kind of crop, and greater loss occurs to it than in any other hay when improperly treated. Careful handling is required from the time the crop is cut until the hay is baled for market. • * * • The Danish creamery managers , and butter-makers have taken a prominent part in the development of the Danish dairy industry. Their butter exhibits cvmtests, and meetings are generally held jointly with their creamery associations. • * * * A stunted pigling with the same amount of feeding will never overtake others of the same litter. And when you have to feed pigs with expensive meals m order to make them grow a little faster you are on the \rron£ track to catch profits. * * * * In using basic superphosphate it is advisable to apply this manure as early in the season as possible, as the available free lime contained in it has a more beneficial effect upon the crop when sown early than when applied late in the season. * * * * Good clover or lucerne hay in winter, like lush pasture in summer, is the best health insurance-a pig can have tor that trying season of the year, iests at Ohio and other experiment stations have shown that it pays to feed hay when the ground is hard, and the pigs are hard put to it to secure the necessary vitamins, and minerals which are so abundant in pasture and first-class hay. Feeders are finding that giving hay to the brood sows and the pigs promotes thrifty growth and cuts down expense. * * * * Some fine crons of swedes are to be Been in the various parts of the le An amutu district, notably at Paterangi, 1 arawera, and Idaihiilii. At the latter place also one settler has a fine crop of chou moellier, this splendid fodder crop being quite 4ft high. There are also some good mangel crops this year. The recent frosts put a finish to the few remaining patches of kumikumis ungathered. The frosts blackened the leaves and haulms, and the vegetables themselves will not keep, fortunately, most of the kumikumi crops had already been gathered and stored for use later on. # # , The dairying season in the Waikato will toon be brought to a close as the supply of milk is now greatly reduced and a number of dairymen are on once-a-day milking. The cream carts run on only two or three days a week. Considering the set-back the cows experienced on account of the unfavourable weather in the spring, they have done exceptionally well this season, and the supply of milk and cream compares very favourably with that of previous seasons. Farmers have been busy during the last few weeks top-dress-ing their pastures so as to ensure an early growth in the spring. . Superphosphate has been the principle fertiliser used for top-dressing. It is very quick acting, and generally gives satisfactory results.

Canada’s decision to impose a dumping 2uty of 3d a lb on Australian butter has not come as a usrprise to the trade here, as indications have been that action of this nature was probable. Apparently any loss- that may be incurred on the transactions entered into between traders in both countries will fall upon the buyers. Where butter has been sold on a free-on-board basis the responsibility of the seller ceases when the butter is placed on board steamers, while in the case of consignment lots it was understood that no dumping ' duty would be applied. In face of the dairy farmers contributing a levy of a lb towards the bounty of Sd a lb paid on butter exported, however, the imposition of a dumping duty of 3d a lb would appear to be unfair. Still, the Canadian authorities can be guided only by the actual, margin that exists between the home and export price of butter in Australia when dealing with the dumping duty. The trade in Melborune does not denounce the Canadian Ministry for imposing a dumping duty on Australian butter in the circumstances, for it is recognised that were the position reversed, Australia would act similarly towards Canada. The policy of the Australian Ministry of Customs is to exclude as much as possible any goods being imported into the Commonwealth. As long as the Federal attitude towards imports from abroad is continued on these lines no exception can be taken to Canada or any other country opposing competition from Australia. « * * • The strike in England has brought disaster to the apple trade, and there does not seem to be the slightest possibility of the enormous quantities of Australian and New Zealand apples already there and in transit being sold at remunerative prices. In addition to the 300,000 cases already there, 600,000 more cases are due to arrive before the end of the month, and it is difficult to see how they can be satisfactorily marketed even if the strike is ended, as they will come into competition with large quantities of strawberries, cherries, and other soft fruits which are already arriving plentifully from Europe. It is this consideration which has prompted the truit traders to ask the Australian Governments to place an embargo on further shipments.

The Strath-Taieri A. and P. Association has notified the award of the following special prizes in connection with the annual show at Middlemarch at Easter: —The Turvey Cup, Mr A. Carruthers; Mr R. Conn’s cup, Mr A. Carruthers; Messrs Kempthorne and Prosser’s cup, Mr A. Carruthers; dairy cow special, Mr Vv Robertson; cottar’s cow, Mr J. Slater; Mrs Stott’s special. Miss E. Harrie; Mr H. E. D. Moynihan's special, Miss D. Tisdall; Mr J. T. TisdalTs special. Miss A. Terry. Mr W. Moynihan’s special for best hack was not awarded, and the prize will be carried forward to next year. The society wishes to take this opportunity of thanking all donors of special prizes and general contributions.

At the last meeting of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board it was decided to approach the Government and the New Zealand Dairy Produce Control Board with a view- to making experiments in the breeding, fattening, etc., of pigs suitable for export, "lit was suggested that these experiments should be conducted in conjunction with our dairying industry on a suitable farm possessing all the necessary facilities. These experiments would extend over a considerable period and the fullest investigation made; as a result, valuable data should be available for the farmers of this Dominion. A committee was formed by the board to go into the matter, and it was resolved that a subsidy should be given to finance these experiments.

[ltems ot interest to those engaged in agricnltural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to “ Rusticns,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.]