THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20256, 15 November 1927, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

FORTHCOMING SHOWS. 1927. 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 t, 2.—Clutha-Matau. December 6, 7. —Gore. December 7. —Central Otago. December 9. —Maniototo. December 9. —Wyndham. December 10.—Otago Peninsula. December 13. 14. —Southland. 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. National Trade Marks. The- use by Argentine producers of the 1 trade mark “ Zelandia ” on butter exports has in the past caused a good deal of dis | satisfaction in New Zealand, where it has • been contended that confusion and misre- ; presentation was occasioned. The Vice consul for she Argentine at Wellington announces now that the grantees of the mark, Messrs Elowson and Webster, have voluntarily withdrawn it from circulation pack ages on which it was previously displayed The Argentine Government has cancelled , the mark, and measures have been taken so that no similar mark can be registered in the country. This should make pleas ing reading for many dairy producers who have complained in the pasf. 1 Clydesdale Studbook. | The fear that the horse has had its day as far as general farm practice is con cerned is proved to be without founda tion. by the fact that Volume 10 of the Clydesdale Horse Society’s Stud Book to be issued next year promises to be larger than Volume 9. Entries close on December 31, but already the numbers are exceptional. This information should make glad the hearts of many horseßfeeders. At the meeting of the society in Christchurch last week about 40 new members were nominated, so that it would appear that breeders are beginning to accord the society some measure of the support which is undoubtedly its auo. Housing Show Sheep. The constant threat of bad weather during the Royal Show period in Canterbury raises the question of the housing of sheep in the pens at Addington. Breeders and exhibitors need not to be reminded of the effect of weather upon the appearance of show sheep, particularly the fine-woolled breeds. In view of this it might have been expected that such pens as are roofed in would have been devoted to the accommodation of the fine-woolled breeds, such as Merino and Corriedale, leaving the longwools out in the uncovered pens, where they would suffer no harm. The hnerwoolled animals would certainly be better off under cover. Prize Boar Purchased. Mr C. T. M'Callum (Flag Swamp) was among the Otago visitors to the Royal Show last week, and while there he purchased the first prize winner in the class for large white boars under four months old. This animal was bred by its exhibitor, Mr M. Williams, a Canterbury pig-breeder, whose stock arc well-known in the pig-industry. Corriedale Judge. Considerable difficulty has been experienced by the Otago A. and P. Society in securing a judge for the Corriedale sheep classes at the summer show next week. Mr N. D. Campbell (Glendhu) was to have officiated, but he was compelled to cancel his appointment. Several other breeders were approached without success. While in Christchurch at Royal Show last week Messrs W. O. M’Kellar and E. F. Duthie made some and it is announced that Mr James Reid, of Darfield, North Canterbury, will fill the position. Corriedale* for Japan. The Japanese Government has selected 10 one-year-old stud ewes and ono stud ram of the same age, from the stud of Senator J. F. Guthrie, Bulgandra. via Albury, N.S.W. This is the third repeat order for Corriedale sheep, which Senator Guthrie’s stud has supplied to the Japanese Government. Senator Guthrie has in his flock many importations from the Bushey Park Estate. Friesian Champions. Mr T, R. Eades (Edendale) who was particularly successful with his Friesian team at the Royal Show last week, will be among the exhibitors at the Waimate show to-day. Ho will also bo a conipeu tor- at the North Otago A. and P. Association’s show this week. Jerseys in Southland. That Jerseys are beginning to hold their own in Southland is shown by the keen demand for Jersey bulls among dairymen this season. Mr J. Sadher,. Woodlands, has just purchased from Mr N Moore. Tapanui, a promising youngster in Tokorangi Dainty Don,” whose dam gave 4841 b butter-fat as a junior two year-old. Mr T. Kcown, of Balfour, has also bought from the same breeder, the yearling bull “Tokorangi Flying Fox.” whose dam gave the creditable performance of 5101 b butterfat in 301 days. Both these gentlemen are to be congratulated on their purchases, and it is pleasing to note that the progeny of such high producing stock are being retained in Southland, thus raising the standard of production. Several have also been imported from well-known and proved Taranaki herc-i. Clydesdale Horse Society. The rapid progress made by the Clydesdale Horse Society of the Dominion of Now Zealand since 1920 was disclosed at a meeting of that body hold in Christchurch during Carnival Week. Mr Thomas Logan (Otama) presided over a good attendance. In 1920 the excess of assets over liabilities was Is Bd. In 1921 it rose to £B3 16s 2d, and in 1922 it _ was £3OO 16s 7d. In the following year it was more than doubled, being £B9O 6s 3d. Two years later in 1925, it reached tour figures—£ls3s 17s 6d. In 1926 a further increase was registered, and this year an increase of several hundred pounds will bring the total credit balance to £2396 4s 2d. NEW ZEALAND’S OWN. THE CORRIEDALE SHEEP. ORIGIN v AND EVOLUTION. VALUABLE DUAL PURPOSE BREED. The display of Corriedale sheep at the Royal Show last week demonstrated to what extent this breed has found favour : n tho country in which it was evolved. The total entry of 271 head was easily a record, and is certain that better quality sheep have never been seen in the Corriedale pens of a Royal or provincial show. The evolution of the Corriedale from an ideal to an accomplished and recognised factor in sheep-breeding has taken over a quarter of a century, but the result of tho work accomplished in the early days is to be seen now in the realisation of the Corriedale idea)—a dual purpose sheep, whose serviceable handiwoight carcase is covered with beautiful quality halfbrcJ woo). The home of the breed is Otago, despite tho opinions to tho contrary, frequently expressed in Canterbury. It ivas Mr James Little, of Corriedale Station, Windsor North Otago, who first put into practice the theory that the crossing of long-wool breeds with merinos would produce a dual purpose sheep of great value. Mr Little died about five years ago, but he has left

By Ru sirens. Items of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed* !2hey should be addressed to “Busticus,” Otago Daily Times. Dunedin,

behind him an oternal monument to his memory, among sheep men at least. In his day he 1 was generally accounted one of the finest shepherds. In 1878 he began work on his new flock by buying up tho biggest, sturdiest, and most characteristic merino ewes obtainable. He had no difficulty in finding good types of Lincoln and Romney rams in North Otago. The progeny of these sheep were critically examined and heavy culling was carried out. Finally, 20 of the best ram lambs were selected and set aside foi tud purposes. These were mated with th-> cream of the halfbred ewes by the Lin coin rams out of tho merino ewes, and the work of building up the Corriedale .Station stud began. The flock increased in numbers and quality, but heavy, and very often heartbreaking culling, had to be indulged in. The most careful management and vigilance were brought to bear on tho work, and as the years came and went a definite and unmistakable type became apparent. Of course, the work was not easy. The keen eyes of the pioneer shepherd noted some bad defects, which worried him not a little. A tendency to drop at the tail, a weak shoulder, or an appearance of “ standing too close ” were some of the characteristics that had to be eliminated by careful mating and judicious selection, with inevitable heavy culling. To be worth its salt the new breed haa to be one that could fend for itself undor adverse conditions, needing no coddling The lamb question, too, was considered, though at that time it was not a very important factor in the pastoral industry of Now Zealand. A few years’ breeding only suffice to make the originator s ideal patent to others. Farmers could see the solid well-shaped Shropshire or Southdown car case that was hidden beneath the Comedale’s mantle of halfbred wool, with its good staple and beautiful crimp. Other studs were founded in Canterbury and Otago by men who knew tho value of the dual purpose sheep, and who possessed the aptitude and skill required in successful live-stock breeding. Corriedale wool soon became known nr the markets of the world, and offerings of this sort met with flattering competition overseas. Herein lay one of tho chief dangers which beset the new breeder. Tempted by the keen demand for fine wool, the tendency was towards breeding for finer wool at the expense of a good carcass. An experience of this sort was sufficient to prove to Mr Little the folly of reverting too nearly to the merino original. Quality of carcass could not be overlooked, and he found himself faced with the problem of returning to a stronger wool back. The chief difficulty lay in the lack of now blood. However, he secured a score of stud merino owes from Mr Duncan Rutherford—ewes of the strong Murray type—and with these' he put a stronger wool back _ on his sheep, at the same time introducing new blood. The experiment was a' dangerous one, us for a long time the stability of the flock was seriously threatened, but everything ended well. The infusion of foreign blood turned out for the best, but it was about the last. From that time on the stud became entirely self-contained. As far as can be ascertained to-day, there are no descendants, as such, of the original sheep got as a result of the crossing by Mr Little of Romneys and Lincolns with merinos. A number of the boss known studs in New Zealand that have earned a reputation in the show ring have been found on the original Corriedale Station stud. Some, however, went in for the actual crossing of long wools with merinos. Romneys, Linoolns, and Border Leicesters have been used in the evolution of the modern Corriedale. In some flocks the interchange of rams has resulted in the introduction of the blood of more than one longwoolled breed. Many, however, have adhered rigidly to the Lincoln-merino cross. In a few cases oven English Leicesters have been used, but the experiment has ndt been a good one. Tho question of a best cross is a point on which breeders and judges differ widely, but to my way of thinking the Lincoln-merino cannot be surpassed. However, despite the diversity of types to bo found in Corriedale studs the one law of uniformity of type should govern individual studs A type must be fixed and rigidly adhered to. The work of years can be destroyed in a season, and the task of rehabilation is painfully slow. The Corriedale is now universally accepted among sheepmen in New Zea land, and its vogue overseas is rapidly increasing. Periodically consignments are sent from Otago to South America, and a recent inquiry was received by the Bushey Park Estate from the South African Government. Australia has adopted the breed widely, and Otago sheep have found their way as far as Scotland, ■where they are reported to be doing exceptionally well. One of the best tributes ever paid to the Corriedale came from America. The United States Government some years ago sent a commission on a world tour to find the most profitable and valuable sheep from the dual viewpoint of wool and mutton. Tho commission reported enthusiastically in favour of the Corriedale, and its finding was quickly followed by the importation of a number of sheep by I tho Government and by individuals. I In connection with the Corriedale a few names v.ome quickly to mind. Tho best known and most successful breeders today are undoubtedly the two who fought so hard for pride of place at the Royal Show this year. Messrs J. A. Johnstone (Bushey Park Estate Palmerston) and Mr. H T. Little (Hui Hui, Canterbury). Dur ing the past year or so three well-known studs were dispersed. These were those of Messrs Isaac Andrew (Waihao Downs). L. W. Storry (Castlerock, Canterbury), and C. H. Ensor (White Rock. Canterbury). In Otago the chief Corriedale flock owners are Messrs J. A. Johnstone (Bushey Park), D. J. Ross (Hillgrove), and the New Zealand and Australian Land Company (Moeraki) Messrs Hugh Ensor. O. T. Evans. T. O. Haycock. N. D. Campbell and a number of minor breeders hold , the fort in Canterbury. Mr J. Stringfellow (Greytown) haa one of tho biggest flocks in the North Island. ROOT CROP DISEASES. CONTROL OF DRY-ROT. CLEANER “MOTHER SEED.” THE SEMESAN METHOD. In the earlier days of farming in Now Zealand an adequate supplementary | winter-feed provision could be cheaply and easily provided with the swede crop. Its adaptability to differing soils, high feeding quality, easy method of utilisation, and cheapness of production naturally made it the main winter root crop grown by farmers. To-day the position is very different; disease and insect pests have converted the swede from the most reliable to the most unreliable crop that tho farmer can produce. In tho drier districts aphis and diamond-back _ moth largely prohibit its cultivation, and in tiie wetter regions club-root and particularly dry-rot are so disastrous in their action that the farmer haa to bo content with continuing growing a crop which ho is 1 never sure will be successful and available for the purpose for which it is really required, namely, mid-winter and early i spring feeding. ; Tho ability to grow satisfactory swede crops means vastly increasing the wintercarrying capacity of any holding, with subsequent better utilisation of seasonal grassproduction. For this reason the adequate control and elimination, if possible, of swede diseases is of the utmost economic importance. It is difficult to hazard in cold figures what the elimination of dryrot would mean to Now Zealand fanning. Suffice it to say that over a largo part of New Zealand it _ would make farmmanagement far easier, and appreciably reduce tho cost M production of animal products. As animal products represent the basal selling crops of the Now Zealand farmer, any reduction in their costs of production, derived bv methods other than reduction in land and labour charges, will be reflected m improved conditions to all. Such being the case, the results of the long' series of investigations on dry-rot in

swedes and turnips, carried out bv the Department of Agriculture’s biological laboratory and brought by the brilliant work of Dr Cunningham to successful completion, are of far-reaching importance. So far as practical mycology is concerned, research can be viewed as merely a means to an end, and with regard to held crops, at any rate, that end be the total elimination of whatever disease the research is directed against. In the majority of cases in the past, however, economic research against crop diseases has set up as its goal the formulation of methods —often quite impracticable from the general farm management standpoint—that tend to reduce the effects of diseases, rather than methods which will eliminate them. If a certain method reduces the loss from 60 per cent, to 5 per cent., research claims a notable victory against plant disease ; but in point of fact such method has no rela tion whatever to elimination, and it is the stamping-out rather than the control of field crop diseases that has any real significonce. Careful reasearch on tho cause and dis tribution of dry-rot has led to results that make it quite feasible to stamp out dry-rot from New Zealand, and, for tho matter of that, from any country where tho swede is grown and tho disease is present. It has been conclusively proved that dry rot is carried in the seed, and if the seed sown is disease-free, or the disease m the seeds has been killed, the resultant crop will be disease-free, provided outside infection does not take place. Outside infection can take place only when pieces of diseased roots from a crop grown on the same ground in the previous year are pie sent, or when spores are introduced from a crop sown, with seed containing the disease in a living form. The first-named means of infection can easily be guarded against by the farmer, and if nothing but disease-free seed is sown tho second means will become inoperative. The total elimination of the disease thus rests entirely on nothing but disease-free swede and turnip seed being sown by the farmer and a workable method whereby this is secured should eliminate dry rot from New Zealand within a single season. The treatment of disease-infected seed by the farmer himself is not feasible, and even if it were so it would never entirely be put into practice. But technique and method should make is perfectly simple for turnip seed and swede seed growers, be they in New Zealand or overseas, to supply nothing but disease-free seed, and in this way one of our most serious of all held crop diseases could be completely stamped out of the Dominion. Laboratory experiment m control have been carried out throughout the Dominion The treatment finally adopted—steeping seed for one hour in Semesan 0.25 per cent solution held at 115 deg. F.-has been shown to give complete control without appre ciable damage to Hie seed, provided the latter is of high germination. This method has b*en tried out on the field scale, but results were most unsatisfactory in that contamination of the treated areas was frequent though the us e of cultural implements, etc., though where con lamination had been avoided control was It is considered that the most efficient method of dealing with the disease is to urge the growers of seed for New to treat' their “mother seed with the method recommended. In this way the de pressing effects of the treatment on seedgermination would prove negligible, necessitating at most tho use by the contract grower of a few extra pounds of seed, and, if properly carried out, would ensure that the whole of the seed coming to New Zealand were dry-rot free. „ . . Were such seed used, the New Zealand farmer would be required merely to rid his premises and implements from the previous season’s seed, and to sow clean seed on land which had not been (or 12 months previously sown down in brassicas. The incidence of dry-rot m Otago has this season been made the subject ot special investigations by the Department of Agriculture, and in connection with this Mr J. C. Neill (department mycoiogist at Wellington) recently paid a visit to Otago and Southland. The treatment of seed with Semesan will be undertaken on various farms for experimental purposes. THE FRUIT SEASON. district crop reports. PAST YEAR’S MARKETS. Reports received from inspectors of the Horticultural Division of the Department of Agriculture for the mouth of October on apple prospects show that in Auckland district apple trees are in “ splendid condition ”; Gisborne, “ very heavy selling ; Hawke’s Bay, “ indications for heavy crop generally ”; Wanganui, " heavy crop : Manawatu and Wau-arapa, well fonvaid, and practically all varieties of fruit set , Waikato, “ medium to heavy blossom ; Nelson, “ present prospects indicate a heavy setting”; Neison Central “ all varieties of apples setting well”; JVptueka, very heavy blossoming of all varieties ; .Marlborough, “ good setting all varieties ; Canterbury, “ almost ail varieties have blossomed very heavily”; Dunedin, exceptionally heavy blossoming throughout Otago and Southland ”; Central Otago, “most varieties blossomed heavily except Jonathans, which are very patchy.” Reviewing tho past season, Co.one! Dray (chairman of tho New Zealand Fruit Control Board) informed Stoke orchardists that, broadly speaking, everything had worked well at tho other end. On an average when the season got going £I2,W)U to £15,000 was drafted to Now Zealand every week. As to Cox’s, the only market for them was London, and tho board had arranged for this in future. He understood there had been a good deal of discrepancy in the returns from West Coast ports but by diverting some of the shipments to other ports a fair average return had been received. Colonel Gray also said that owing to the fact of some West Australian fruit going to Hamburg, New Zealand fruit had come into more prominence; and ho was certain New Zealand was going to get a, good start next season. When he left England no New Zealand apples could be procured in London under lOd a lb. All through the season there was competition from America. American growers had found to their satisfaction that they could put fruit on to the English market all the year round, and would continue to do so. borne markets did quite well, others did not. Liverpool was a disappointment, but it was difficult to dispense with this port altogether. The Liverpool Exchange has made a good offer conditionally on all fruit being put through the exchange. He was quite satisfied that the turns employed there by the board did thenbest last season. Cardiff and Hull did very well; Bristol, where the fruit caught the market bare, did extraordinarily well. Last season’s prices wore not to bo taken as a general thing, but he thought 12s to 14s could be taken us tho normal prices to be obtained. , .. . , As to the report that Otago fruit had brought bettor prices than Nelson, Colonel Gray said he did not know anything about tho 25s which it was said this fruit realised. The account sales did not go through tho board. Tho Otago fruit sold at Covent Garden was up to the Nelson standard, but no better. Ihore woula come a time every season when Ota,go fuut would get better prices than Nelson as their red stuff camo on the market when Nelson was going off. Otago people pul no mighty good fruit. He thought the time would come when the fruit could best bo disposed of by private treaty at Covent Garden _______