THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20232, 18 October 1927, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By Rtjstictts.

FORTHCOMING SHOWS. 1927. October 26, 27.—Tirraru. November 2.—Kelso. November 2 and 3. —Manawatu. November 3.—Ashburton. November 9, 10, 11.—Royal, Christchurch. November 15. —Waimate. November 17, 18.—North Otago. November 19. —Taieri. November 23. —Winton. November 23, 24.—Otago. November 29. —Milton. November 30. —Wallace. December 1,2. —Clutha-Matau. December 6, 7.—Gore. December 7.—Central Otago. December 9. —Maniototo. December 9. —Wyndham. December 13, 14. —S-uthland. December 26.—Tuapeka. December 27,—Waitahuna. 1928. January 25.—Tapanui. February 14, 15, 16, 17.—Masterton. March 17. Lake County. March 29. —Methven. April 9. —Mackenzie. Royal Show Trophies. Three gold challenge cups have been received by the Royal Agricultural Society for competition at the forthcoming show. Tin? New Zealand Insurance Company has presented one valued at 70 guineas for thoroughbreds; New Zealand Breweries has presented one valued at 100 guineas for tihe ohampion Friesian cow; and the South British Insurance Company has presented one valued at 50 guineas for the champion Jersey oovv. The winners of the New Zealand Insurance Company’s oup and the Breweries’ cup will receive mementoes valued at £lO. Wool Sale Methods. Speaking of wool sal© methods in Dunedin last season, Dalgety and Co.’s annual review states;—“The new regulation that three-bale lots and under should be treated as star lots worked quite satisfactorily. Prior to last season, the proportion of throe-bale lots in catalogues wa* unduly large, in fact, the average over the total lots was about one-third every sale. This resulted in more valuing and a smaller average per lot. The effect of the alteration was to add considerably to the labour of handling in stores, because pooling of star lots had to bo resorted to and until they could be dealt with there was always a certain amount of congestion in stores. The usual difficulty in the height of the season when catalogues were limited was accentuated by the necessity of handling so many star "bales, but from the grower’s point of view the new regulation proved an advantage. The January sale was limited by the New Zealand Wool Committoe, and for some weeks prior to the sale the congestion in stores was acute. Broken shearing weather in December resulted in a smaller offering than usual at the first sale, with the result that there was a great rush of wool in January. Many clips were unavoidably shut out, but growers realised that the limitation of catalogues was a necessity. The market was buoyant, and there was more certainty of keeping it so by an even distribution of offerings over the whole season than by forcing large quantities of fine wools on to the market in a short space of time. Despite the spirited bidding at the January sale, there was at times a hesitancy on the part of buyers, inspired no doubt by the comparatively high level which fine wools had reached.” Wellington Wool Season. From those who are in touch with wool production in the Wellington province and in the districts of Nelson and Marlborough, the prospects of a payable season for the grower are most encouraging. The weather, for one thing, has been exceedingly good for the shearing. The sheep are coming out well, and small lots of early-shorn woo] already in store are well-grown, sound, and of good colour. If the weather conditions hold good there should be a very attractive and a considerable offering for the first of the sales, beginning in Wellington on November 14. Last year a catalogue of 11,000 was offered, but this may be exceeded next month. There is no limit placed by the New Zealand Wool Committee on the quantity to be offered at this sale. An equable winter and spring have practically assured a well-grown clip in the North Island for the 1927-28 season. Some back-country pastoralists may have reason to fear the early ripening of seed if the dry weather continues, and on that account there may be a little more seed in their wool than in previous years. The Wellington stores are all ready for the business of the new season, and wool is now coming to hand in small parcels. A large and representative gathering of buyers is expected at the_ sales, and some of the buyers are already in the Dominion, while others are on the way out. Although no pronounced rise in prices on those current at last March sales in the Dominion are to be looked for, indications of the market at the moment are not in the direction of lower values. With United States buyers holding orders for the super-Romney wools, some satisfactory returns for such wools should be realised. Advices from the American wool centres are to the affect that stocks of 48’s-50’s wools are running low in America. If those can be obtained in New Zealand, North Island producers should be able to take advantage of the market, providing their ideas of values are not pitched too high. An authority in the wool trade gives it as his opinion that “growers must not run away with the idea that there may be sharp appreciation on the rates ruling for last March.” The best halfbreds may be in short supply, and therefore command particular attention. In fact, the outlook for wool may be safely described as satisfactory, and left at that. Argentine Shorthorn Prices. From Messrs Bullrich’s sale yard at Buenos Aires the result of the first sale of exported Scottish Shorthorn bulls have been cabled as follows: —Mr Marshall sold 11 —average 12,027 dollars (£1045 16s 6d); Mr Joseph Shepherd sold nine—average 10,723 dollars (£932 9s); Mr R. L. P. Duncan sold eight—average, 8125 dollars (£706 10s sd) ; Mr Watson sold five—average, 7620 dollars (£662 12s 2d); Mr W. T. Malcolm sold three—average, 3200 dollars (£278 5s 2d); Messrs Hughes, Alexander, and Addic sold three —average, 9400 dollars (£Bl7 8s); Mr Davidson sold 10 —average, 5520 dollars (£480) ; Mr James Sidey sold 12 —average, 7658 dollars (£665 18s 2d); and Messrs Baird sold three—average, 2733 dollars (£237 13s). The dollar is estimated at 11.50 to the English £l. 1926-27 Wool Price's. The-average price per lb over the four wool sales in Dunedin last year was 14.69 d and per bale £l9 16s Gd, compared with 13d and £l7 8s 7d respectively during 1925-6. The total offering showed a slight increase of 1127 bales, 69,535 bales being sold, as against 68,408. Want of Loyalty, Farmers appear to be remarkable for failure in loyalty to their own business concerns. To the chorus of complaints of lack of support of farmers’ companies comes the voice of Mr 11. S. Hawkins, chairman of the Farmers’ Auctioneering Company, Hamilton. At the meeting of that company last week, Mr Hawkins, after regretting the inability of the directors to pay a dividend on ordinary shares, remarked; “The weak point is shown in the profit and loss account, which gives our gross and net earnings for the 12 months. These results are most disappointing. That we are a farmers’ company, established for the purpose of safeguarding farmers’ interests, belonging to farmers in that 70 per cent, of our share capital was provided by them, counts for little when it comes to attracting their business. We have to spend just ns much time and money in running round and soliciting that business as though wo wore not a farmers’ company at all. If our shareholders gave us all the business they could give we could show much better results, even in a bad year like the last.” j Record Average Prices. About three weeks ago “ Inquirer ” (Hampdenj asked for the record average

Items of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuit* with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed* 'Jhey should be addressed to “Rusticus,” Otago Daily Times. Dunedin.

Shorthorns and Aberdeen-Angus cattle* was an outstanding breeder of Border Leicester sheep. He won the supreme honour at the “ Highland ” about 35~years ago with a sheep named Gay Pride, which passed into the flock of Messrs Smith, at Leaston, and proved a valuable breeder. Scottish Farming Figures. The figures contained in the preliminary statement of the Agricultural Returns for Scotland for the year to Juno, 1927, do not make particularly pleasant reading so far as cropping is concerned. The total acreage under crops and grass is the smallest re corded since 1877, while the area of arable land is the smallest recorded since the returns wore first taken in 1866, and less than in 1926 by 21,000 acres. The area under rotation grasses and clover has increased by 7000 acres, while the area under other specified crops is 29,100 acres less than in the previous year. The total dc crease is mainly accounted for by barley, oats, turnips, and swedes, which combined show a* diminution of 47,800 acres. Wheat, potatoes, and sugar beet show increases. There aro 10,200 more acres under wheat, but that under barley is the smallest ever recorded, and 2000 acres less than last year, while there arc 35,000 acres loss undf outs. There are 4000 acres more under potatoes, although 3500 acres below the average of the preceding 10 years, while the area under turnips is less by 10,800 acres than Inst year, and the lowest ever recorded. Those aro suggestive figures, and strikingly suggestive of the serious times through which arable farmers in Scotland, as elsewhere, have been passing. Although Scottish farmers may not “ grouse ” loudly and openly as some others, they are feeling the pinch all the same. Agriculture in England. The annual agricultural returns issued by the Ministry of Agriculture show that land under the plough in England and Wales decreased during the year ended June 4by 238,000 acres. It is now 690,000 acres less than before the war. That is to say, all the big increase in arable cultivation achieved during the war has been lost, and 690,000 acres besides, says the Daily Chronicle. Nor is arable the only loser; the total area of land under crops or permanent grass has decreased by 87,000 acres. About three-quarters of this has come down to rough grazings; the rest, has disappeared from farming altogether. Much of the latter no doubt, re presents land swallowed up by houses and housing schemes—too often, alas, among the be>t for agriculture in its districts. But the thing to note is, that while the farmed area shrinks inevitably on that side, it makes no compensating expansion on the other—i.o., by conquering the wastes. On the contrary, the wastes conquer it. Barley has shrunk to an area about 500,000 acres less than before the war. The seriousness

prices paid for Shorthorn bull calves. I have now secured what are, I believe, reliable figures. The record was made in 1919, when the late Mr William Duthie, Collynie, had £I4OO 8s 7d each for 24, with a top price of 5300gns paid by Mr Cazalet, Fairlawne, for Collynie Lavender King by Max of Cluny. In the previous year, 1918, Mr Duthie had an average of £IOBB 17s for 20 bull calves, with a top price of 4200gns for Collynie Royal Regent, sired by Masterstroke, and sold to Mr Wills, Bristol. Misplaced Kudos. While talking with Mr R. B. Tennent yesterday morning he pointed out with that innate modesty so characteristic of him, that the kudos for tho frost fighting experiments in Central Otago belonged to Mr Campbell of the Horticultural Division, rather than to himself. It is the work of Mr Campbell’s department and the resident officer on the job is Mr J. Williams. Farmers’ Union Rally. Tho Farmers’ Union Rally party which was to have visited several of the Catlins branches which are reported to be growing weary in well-doing, should have left for the districts concerned yesterday. At the last moment (7 a.m.) a hitch occurred, and the visits had to be postponed. Milburn Southdowns. Mr Oliver Grey, of Milburn, has recently added to his Southdown flock by the purchase of a consignment of owes from the noted flock of Messrs Hugh Burrell and Son, of Feilding. These ewes have just finished lambing and the lambs represent some fine specimens of the breed, being sired by a son of Buckland’s Fashion, an imported ram, bred by Lady Fitzgerald, of England. A hightprioed stud ram was also bought, being by a James Knight ram with imported blood on both sides. The foundation of Mr Grey’s flock was made with ewes from the well-known and noted flock of Mr H. J. Andrew, of Mahono. whose sheep are known north and south. Dominion Stock Abroad. New Zealand pedigree stock, selected or shipped to clients in Australia, were very successful at the recent Melbourne Royal Show. The championship of Australia was won by the Aberdeen Angus bull Hustle of Koiro, by Hayston Bright Print, bred by Mr N. Gibbons, of Wellington, whose stud farm is situated near -Palmerston North. This bull also won the championship a year ago. Another bull shipped by the firm from Mr F. Armstrong’s stud, at Akitio, Dannevirke, was champion at the Sydney Royal Show some months back. This was Quality of Frampton. A yearling by this bull topped the breeders’ sale at Dannevirke recently. The championship of Australia was won by a three-year-old Border Leicester ram, bred by Mr R. J. Anderson, Kauana, Southland. This ram also won championship honours at the sheepbreeders’ show held in August. Reserve championship was awarded to the Friesian bull Echo Domino of Oakview, bred by Mr H. R. Green, Kairanga, Palmerston North. The championships in the Corriedale section were won by sheep sired by rams exported from the noted Bushey Park stud of Mr J. A. Johnstone, near Palmerston South. Early Potatoes Scarce. The early potato crops now being dug in the Pukekohe d rtrict are proving light, and samples generally are below the usual standard for this time of the year. This is attributed to the adverse weather and also to the fact that the area in early potatoes this season is considerably less than in each of the two preceding seasons. The supplies coming to hand are small, and it ia not expected that the position will materially improve before the end of this month. The prices being obtained vary, but the average value for fair quality new potatoes is about 3d per lb, f.0.r., Pukekohe. Rabbits and Pastures. A well-known pastoral authority in Australia once issued a pronouncement that five rabbits eat as much pasture as one sheep, but Mr J. A. Young (Minister of Health) has placed it on record, as a result of special investigations when a private member, that 10, not five, rabbits will equal the sheep’s consumption. A casual observer watching the little pests, which never seem to leave off nibbling, will be inclined to favour the Australian estimate. However, even on Mr Young’s basis, it is evident that the pasture consumed annually by the übiquitous bunny would suffice to maintain and fatten several million sheep—probably as many as 5,000,000. The Laird of Rosehaugh. The passing away of the laird of Rosehaugh, Mr J. D. Fletcher, in Edinburgh, last month,, recalls memories of the famous Smitbfield 'f 1893 (says a Scottish paper). It was on that occasion that he accomplished what had never been done before—viz., the winning by one individual of the blue ribbon and also the reserve in the final at the great London gathering. Many still remember his magnificently fleshed Aberdeen-Angus heifer. Pride of the Highlands, which romped through for the championship, followed bv the Shorthorn heifer Lily of Novar, which stood reserve. To have bred and fed the two animals was a great feat. Mr Fletcher was one of those who fought for ■early maturity, and by his own doings showed the absurdity of the Smithfield Club offering prizes for steers “ three years and upwards,” notwithstanding the jibes of the late John Treadwell—one of the old school —who poured ridicule on what he called “ baby beef.” Mr Fletcher, besides what he did amongst

of this is that it is a crop grown largely on light soils, which, but tor it, would not bo tilled, and wliose untilled output of any kind will be negligible. When lost to barley, therefore, such soils become lost to production altogether. Only two crop increases are reported. One is wheat, which has gone up by 180,000 acres in two years—an extremely welcome increase, if it can be maintained. The other is sugar beet, which has developed partly at the expense of other root crops, and entirely on a subsidy basis. As a whole, it is a discouraging picture. With the world’s finest market for food products at its very door, we see the farm industry of England and Wales steadily dwindling. Auckland Wool Clip. Sheep farmers in the Auckland Province are showing eagerness to enter their wool at the first sale and every advantage is being taken of spells of fine weather to make a start with shearing operations. In many cases shearing has been completed or a start made with the drv sheep, and bales have already commenced to arrive at Auckland wool stores. Given favourable weather during the next few weeks it is expected there will be a heavy offering at the sale next month. The wool will comprise the clips from the more accessible districts, the wool from the bacK country not usually being forwarded until after Christmas The wool now being classed is not, on the whole, as clean as last year’s clips, owing to the wet weather experienced during the winter months. A stable market and a good demand are ex pouted to result in satisfactory prices being obtained at the forthcoming sales. Australian supplies are likely to be shorter on account of the drought, and this is, expected to be reflected in an increased demand for New Zealand wool. Another important factor, according to an Auckland broker, is that there is little wool carried over from last season and manufacturers have been working right up to the supply. Of recent years the proportion of wool shipped direct to England for sale there has decreased. Last year practically the whole of the clip was disposed of locally. Export Shipping. Reviewing shipping facilities for exports of the Dominion for last season, Mr H. S. Hawkins, chairman. Farmers’ Auctioneering Company, said it could be claimed that satisfactory service had been given and that' an ample supply of tonnage had been available to lift exports. “It is recognised,” ho added, “that speedy delivery on the London market is of paramount importance. New and fast motor vessels are already in the service of the C. and D. Line, and each of the associated lines trading to Now Zealand has others in coarse of construction, so in the near future we can look forward to an improved and faster service which will bring New Zealand correspondingly closer to her markets and shorten the link between us and the Mother Country. This improved service, however, cannot be brought about without extra expense, and it is idle to look for lower freights on the one hand and a faster service on the other. The shipping companies are alive to the needs of the producers and are anxious, where possible, to bring about an improved service as long as they are not expected to shoulder any loss in bringing about such improvement. ’ ’ Threshing Returns. Returns of actual threshings received by the Government Statistician to September 19 from threshing mill-owners, show that, so far, 7,640,291 bushels of wheat and 4,420,604 bushels of oats have been threshed out. The average yields per acre in cases where particulars of areas were furnished (covering 99 per cent, of total threshings) work out at 37.50 bushels for wheat and 43.53 bushels for oats. A table is appended showing, by land districts, the quantity of wheat and oats threshed, and the yield per acre in each case:— WHEAT AND OAT THRESHINGS, YIELD AND AVERAGES, JANUARYAUGUST, 1927. WHEAT.

Royal Show Judges. The following is a complete list of the judges appointed for the Royal Show next month;—Clydesdales, T. Logan (Otama); working draughts, J. D. Wyllie (Sefton); thoroughbreds, hacks, and hunters, J. H. Macniven (Haumoana); trotters, pacers, and harness horses, W. A. Macfarlane (Hastings) ; ■ cobs and ponies, L. W. Nelson (Whangarei); Aberdeen-Angus cattle, W. Robertson (Middlemarch) ; Herefords, A. Swift (Taihape); Shorthorns, A. Reid (Waikouaiti); Ayrshires, W. R. Brisbane (Victoria); Friesians, J. Hart (Thames); Jerseys and Guernseys, J. A. Pettigrew (Pihama); Milking Shorthorns, G. H. Tate (New South Wales); Red Polls, N. Indor (Dannevirke); fat cattle, T. A. Duncan (Ilunterville); Border Leicester sheep, T. Hartnell (Culverden); Corriodale rams, J. Stringfellow (Greytown); Corriedale ewes, J. W. Trolove (Marlborough); English Leicesters, J. E. P. Cameron (Timaru); halfbreds, D. M’Lean (Waiau); Lincolns, A. P. Southey (Masterton); merinos: J. Gatenby (Haumoana) ; Romney Marsh, J. T. Donald (Featherston) ; Kyelands, K. D. Orr (Pukekawa); Southdowns, W. J. Gamblett (Hastings); Shropshires, H. J. Andrew (Maheno) ; fat sheep and lambs, W. Murray (Warepa); pedigree pigs, J. A. Russell (Palmerston North); export pigs, C. Munro (Wellington),

HORNS v. POLLS. THE DEHORNING PROBLEM. BREEDING AS A SOLUTION. AN INTERESTING TREATISE. The dehorning of cattle is a subject of oft-recurring interest. The Scottish Journal of Agriculture for July, 1927, issued by the Board,of Agriculture publishes an interesting treatise on the subject, and introduces an aspect which has not yet been considered very seriously in New Zealand —the dehorning of purebred stock and the breeding for a concentrated polled influence in the breed. A copy of the journal has been sent to me by a friend, but the article itself is too long for reproduction here. It has a particularly Scottish application and interest, but the principles outlined by masters of live stock breeding should not be without interest to all' cattlemen. It deals with facts, and it records facts. It uses these facts in order that they may guide those who are endeavouring to produce a race of hornless Avrshircs. It teviows the history of polled breeds in America, of breeds which are still horned in the main, but of which there is a pure bred section which are polled. It shows how this condition made its appearance in certain established breeds, and to what extent the condition was promoted by the deliberate crossing of horned stock by bulls that were polled. Both methods of securing the polled condition have been resorted to. The article docs not commit itself to any verdict concerning which method is the better adapted to the end in view. The names of the authors, Sir Robert Greig, LL.D., M.C., and Mr A. D. Buchanan Smith, M.A., B.Sc. (Agr.), are a sufficient guarantee of caution and reserve. The number of “ polled ” Shorthorns (registered) in the United States is equal to that of all Shorthorns in Scotland, and there are more “ polled ” Herefords in the United States than there are horned Herefords in England. Economic reasons led to the first efforts to establish polled strains of recognised cattle breeds in the United Stales. The packers protested against the losses they were sustaining from bruised moat in the carcases of horned cattle. They claimed that these losses were equal to a difference of 5 to I’o cents per 1001 b in favour of dehorned as against the horned boasts. About 1870 breeders set out to dehorn their cattle by using a Shorthorn bull cn

polled cows of various breeds or of unknown ancestry, and breeding in and in to the progeny. In 20 years’ time they had succeeded so well—records having been kept—that their standard for registration was fourfifths Shorthorn blood in the sire and an equal proportion in the dam, and in 1905 they “ closed ” their book. The cattle so registered were, of course, not purebred Shorthorns- they are known as “ single standard ” Shorthorns, recognised to be deficient in respect of the j.OO per cent, standard, but wa imagine that to all intents and purposes they are a pure breed. The “ double standard ” strain of polled Shorthorns, or as they were technically designated, “ polled Durham ” cattle, springs from five “ sports ” which appeared in pure-bred herds of Shorthorns descended from cattle registered in Coates’ Herd Book. These five, three heifers and two bulls, are all entered and numbered in the American Shorthorn Herd Book. The most n fluontial of the five was Oakwood Gwynne IV., Vol. XV. p. 803, A.5.H.8., and strange to say she was the only one of the five that Had slight sours. Mated first to a registered bull, which by his name was of Bate’s breeding, this polled sport produced twin heifer calves, both roan and both hornless. Mated pext with a different bull, but again by his name to be judged as of Bates breeding, she produced a -ed hornless bull calf. One of the twins mated to an ordinary pidogreed Shorthorn bull produced a hornless heifer calf, the other mated with her red hornless half-brother dropped a polled heifer calf. Mr Miller, of Ohio, got possession of these cattle and knew what to do with them. He kept within the four corners of the registered Shorthorn breed, and from these descendants of Oakwood Gwynne IV, and in a less degree from the descendants of the other four sports ” referred to the highly useful race of pure-bred polled Shorthorns of the United States has been evolved. The point is to keep a sharp look-out for polled “sports” in horned breeds, and make use of them to breed for ‘a concentrated polled influence in the breed. Such polled “ sports ” are not unknown in Scotland. Mr William Niven, Pitlivie, Oarnoustie, had one in his herd in 1913 registeied as Winsome of Gowrie, Vol. 66, p. 999, sire. Crown of Pearl (135998). Be it observed that her dam was a cow of Wild Eyes breeding purchased from Mr W. C. Hunter of Arngask. Winsome’s first calf by the pedigreed bull Royal Gem was a polled bull with loose scurs, porn in 1920. Two bulls, horned, were afterwards born, and then Winsome produced f r ?_,J ler fourth calf, a polled heifer. Sunbeam (77751), by Garbity Royal Flush '171821, Cases of similar sports are recorded among Guernseys and Herefords, and there does not appear to bo any sound reason why they should not be found among Ayrshires, if only they are looked for, and not sent to the butcher because an outrage on breed type. After all the branching horns in the Ayrshire, which impart such majesty to the showyard favourite, are a comparatively recent importation, and as eager a devotee of the breed as the late William Bartlemore admitted that they were the result of a West Highland cross introduced into the influential herd of Parker of the Broomlands. The old-fashioned Dunlop oow had the crummie ” horn which still characterises the Swedish Ayrshire. Of the clear commercial value of a polled Ayrshire there can be no sort of doubt whatever. The process of dehorning by artificially preventing the growth of horns is effective as far as it goes, but the history of the “ Polled Durhams ” is demonstration of the greater effectiveness of the utilisation of the “ sport.” The first double grandson of the American polled Shorthorn cow Oakwood Gwynne IV was Ottawa Duke, produced by mating half brother and sister. He lived until he was 10 years old, and left 129 registered offspring. He never sired a horned calf. The lessons of this story q.re obvious. . SHEEP DIPPING. DANGER OF > CARELESSNESS. GREAT CARE NEEDED. RUMOURED NEW DIPS. Such a widely practised method as that of sheep dipping should be so well understood in all its details as to render the topic superfluous. But the fact remains that while every sheepowner in districts infested with ticks and lice is bound to dip a big proportion of the work is done in an inefficient manner. More often than not the owner will blame the dipping mixture when he finds his sheep tick infested after a few months. There may be occasions on which the dipping powder or fluid is not up to standard, but as a general rule it is in me.thods of application that the responsibility lies. The best dip in the world is unable to give satisfactory results unless the directions for mixing and immersion are followed. Dipping materials are made for dilution in soft water, and the first essential is to determine whether the water available contains any deleterious substances. Another factor to be watched is the suspension of the fluid in the dip. Many operators believe that the sheep agitate the water sufficiently to keep the mixture right, but this idea is erroneous. Mechanical agitation is an excellent thing. The dipping mixture should be kept as clean as possible, and all the scum which collects on the surface should be removed at frequent intervals. Sheep should not be thirsty when dipped, neither should they be blown out with feed. Thorough immersion of all_ parts of the sheep is, of course, essential. The best time to dip sheep is between three weeks and one month after the date of shearing. Dipping off shears, particularly when machines are used, is hardly calculated to be thoroughly effective. Strangely enough there are still some shcopownors who believe that rams are more susceptible to any harmful effects that may follow dipping than are other sheep. Owing to a more mettlesome temperament, rams struggle more than other sheep when in the dip, and as they are usually in good condition they occasionally swallow dangerously large quantities of fluid unless the heads are supported. For this reason only they require a little more attention, but they should have as much time in the dip as the other sheep. It is quite erroneous to imagine that dipping renders rams impotent. The nervous excitement following immersion may upset them for a few days, but the check is only temporary. While the sheep dipping mixtures now procurable are efficacious enough to deal with ticks and lice, they fall short as permanent preventives to blow fly. Some time ago it was stated that a new mixture, having a’ basis of lanoline, had been tested and had given entire satisfaction, and it is hoped that the announcement was not premature. It is understood that a proprietary concern was working along similar lines, and believed that its scientists had found a solution to the problem. No doubt the eventual combafment of the blow fly pest will be found in a. suitable dipping material, and when this occurs onothcr less complicated problem will await solution. That will be the putting on of an artificial tip to the wool which will prevent deterioration from excessive wot and heat.

Quantity Ay. yield Land District. threshed. per acre. Bushels. Bushels. North Auckland 1,740 15.26 Auckland 110 27.50 Gisborne ... ... 3,188 25.50 Hawke’s Bay 9,895 31.82 Taranaki 969 34.61 Wellington 61,703 28.65 Nelson 31,471 29.44 Marlborough ... 90,716 30.03 Canterbury .„ ... 6,184,125 38.02 Otago 1,053,838 36.85 Southland 102,536 34.66 Totals 7,540,291 OATS. 37.50 Quantity Av. yield Land District. threshed. per uoro. Bushels. Bushels. Auckland no 27.50 Hawke’s Bay ... ... 27,277 29.90 Taranaki 792 44.00 Wellington 90,287 40.53 Nelson 17,017 28.55 Marlborough ... 41,748 35.49 Canterbury ... 2,253,560 42.67 Otago 1,048,351 45.66 Southland 941,362 45.15 Totals 4,420,504 43.53