THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20335, 17 February 1928, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By IlrsTictTS.

FORTHCOMING SHOWS. March 17.—Lake County. March 29.—Methven. April 9.—Mackenzie. April 9.—Strath-Taieri. FORTHCOMING WOOL SALES. February 16, 17.—Wellington. February 20, 21.—Auckland. February 23, 21—Wanganui. February 27, 28. —Napier. March 2.—lnvercargill. March 7. —Dunedin. March 12.—Christchurch. March 15, 16. —Auckland. March 19.—Wanganui. March 22.—Napier. March 26.—Wellington, The Wool Market. The Bradford top market is reported to be very firm, but spinners are not responding, apparently because they arc unable to recover the price from the manufacturers. However, it matters not to the raw material, which will continue to sell at a high price. At the meeting of the economic section of the congress of the Australian Association for the Advancement of Science, held at Hobart recently, Mr 11. E. Teare, director ot the Alexander Hamilton Institute, read a paper in which lie advocated the establishment of a wool futures market for Australia. This is not regarded by wool interests in Australia as practicable. A leading merchant stated that a wool tuturcs market was not feasible except in standard combed tops. Before the European War futures markets existed at Rouba mid Antwerp, and it was generally regarded by the woollen trades that dealinll' iu futures there was almost entirely of” a ■ gambling nature with the chances against the dealer, whether he bought or Bold, owing to the high overhead expenses necessarily incurred by the conductors of tho “Marche a feme. An endeavour was made to re-establish a tutures market in Roubaix in 1922, but it practically received no support, and no record has bees received by the trade or any further attempts being made to renffw this class of business in Europe. the ed’ecfc' of’ the establishment of a futures market would be to introduce a number of outside gamblers into the wool market. This the trade is desirous ot avoiding. In a futures market it would not bo possible to conduct business m greasy wool, and so far as New Zealand is concerned it has no export trade in tops that would warrant selling in futures. Shorthorn Show Successes. The Scottish Farmer of December 17, 1927, publishes the following particulars of Shorthorn'show and market triumphs. \t Birmingham the supremo champion was a Shorthorn, and this breed topped the market in the ordinary classes as follows (price given is average per cwt, live weight) : Breed. Pri , ce ; Shorthorns 2-ZZ Aberdecn-Angus '>2'“ Longhorns Herefords Welsh Crossbreds .. ° B / 4 . BABY BEEF CLASSES, 9 Shorthorns averaged 78/8 5 Other breeds averaged .. .. io/7 Herefords averaged .. . - •• 11 Crossbred steers averaged .. bl/i 10 Crossbred heifers averaged .. ot/* At the Smithfield Club Show Shorthorns secured the following awards:—Baby beet champion, best steer under two years reserve (to supreme champion), best steer in the show, reserve (to supreme champion), sire of supreme champion. The Price of Bread. The question has been raised in the North Island whether there is likely to be a rise in the price of bread when our flour made from the new season’s wheat comes on to the market. A South Island authority says that this does not seem at all likely, and remarks: It has to be remembered that with the new sliding scale of duties on imported dour the price of flour in New Zealand, and consequently bread, is governed to a greater extent than ever, by the price of Australian flour. When flour is dear in Australia, the duty on it here is reduced, and the result is that within certain limits Australian flour can always be landed in this country at about the same price. The New Zealand miller therefore has to consider carefully any increase in price; otherwise he may find himself being undersold by imported flour. Another point is that when the Government fixed the sliding scale of duties it did so with the idea of the New Zealand grower receiving 6s per bushel for his wheat, and of flour being maintained at about its present price. It is a matter of opinion whether the Government was right in its estimates, but the fact remains that so far millers have bought little wheat at 6s. Probably the bulk of their purchases has been made at 5s ,9d and some at 5s Bd. There is every indication that the quantity of wheat produced in New Zealand this year will be ample to meet all requirements, and probably most growers will have to be content with less than 6s for their wheat. A Downward Tendency. ■ Conditions in the meat industry are not very encouraging just now. Prices on the whole show a downward tendency, particularly for lamb. Best quality lamb is about lower; ordinary lamb |d lower, and second quality lamb id lower. Ordinary wethers Jd higher. Meat prices are by no means satisfactory. Best lambs are selling at lOjd, best wethers and maiden ewes at 6td, and ordinary wethers and maiden ewes at std. Beef for Export. Compared with the 1926-27 season, killings of beef at New Zealand freezing works to date this season have been remarkably heavy. Returns compiled by the Meat Board show that while only 800 beasts had passed over - the freezing boards up to January 15, 1927, killings for the corresponding period of this season totalled 17,000 head. This increasedexport, according to Mr J. S. Jessop, a member of the Meat Producers’ Board, has been largely due to New Zealand sharing in the British army and navy meat contracts, and also to the fact that lair quantities of New Zealand beef have gone to New York, where the New Zealand Meat Producers’ Board is developing a market. The Voronoff Treatment. In the absence of an official report upon the results of Dr Voronoff’s glandgrafting operations on stock some doubt lias been raised by scientists at Home whether they are of any practical value or not. Such a report has now come to hand, and although it has not yet been made public some particulars have been published. This report has been compiled by an international commission of veterinary experts, delegated by the British, Argentine, Italian, Spanish, and Gzecho-Slovakian Governments, which recently visited the French State farm at Tadmit, Southern Algeria, where experiments in gland grafting are being carried out by Dr Voronolf. The British representatives were Dr F. A. E. Crew, director of the Animal Breeding Research Station, Edinburgh University; Dr F. H. A. Marshall, of the Cambridge University; and Mr W. C. Miller, oi the Edinburgh Veterinary College. It is stated that grafted rams were observed to have gained 221 b in carcass weight, and a shade over 1 Jib in fleece weight, compared with ungrafted sheep. The first generation born of grafted rams were shown to be 151 b 7oz heavier in flesh and lib 2oz heavier iu wool than corresponding progeny of ungrafted sires. The age at which the comparisons were made is not mentioned, but it is said the length of staple in the case of the progeny of grafted rams was considerably greater than that of the others. The commission is reported to have expressed an opinion that studs of grafted rams might be profitably introduced in all sheep-raising

items of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastors! with a view to their publication in these columns, will be 3hey should be addressed to “flusticus,’' Otago Daily Times, Danedißt

The Lamb Market. According to the statistics there are more lambs this year than last, but the prospects are that the proportion fattened and sent to the works will be smaller. The slaughterings so far have been under the average. There has been also a substantial increase in the proportion of seconds. The cause is the softness and rankness of the feed in the sprin.r on account of the frequent rains, and in tHo past few weeks the hot winds have turned the feed into the nature of dried hay. The keen demand existing for fat stock for export has maintained a firm market, and farmers have been well satisfied with the prices so far received. Easier Dairy Produce Market. Tho butter market is again firm, although it was easier early last week. Tho current quotation for New Zealand finest salted is about 1625. while Danish stands at 1795. Tho market should hold at about present prices, but if there is a shortage of shipments from New Zealand there may be a slight upward movement. The cheese market is steady at 92s 6d per cwt. The prices of both butter and cheese are not satisfactory, and if the weather reduces shipments, tho producers will be badly hit. Prolific Yields.

In view of Iho recent cablegram from London to the effect that experiments had shown it would bo possible to increase the average yield of wheat from 52 bushels to 130 bushels per acre, it is interesting to record that Mr John O’Grady, of Cameron street West. Ashburton, has demonstrated that something like this can bo, done, though whether on a payable basis is questionable (states the Lyttelton Times). Two seasons ago, Mr O'Grady grew on on« plant of solid straw Tuscan wheat 190 fully developed heads containing, an average of over 50 plump grains. The attention of tho Lincoln College authorities was drawn to tho fact, and tho agricultural director of the college (Mr R. E. Alexander), together with another of.the college stalf, made * special journey to Ashburton, and obtained from Mr O’Gracly permission to dig up the root of wheat. This was done, and the college authorities sent tho root in a tub to the Dunedin Exhibition, where it, was an object of keen interest in the Canterbury Court. Mt O’Gracly intends to experiment on a much larger scale next season. This season Mr O’Grady is experimenting with one plant of Garton oats. The ground was first carefully prepared and manured, arid when tho seed had germinated, and was a few inches above the ground he cut it off at a joint. As each sprout came out of the ground this process was repeated five times, and the plant has now 36 vigorous and well-headed stalks. During the recent dry weather the plant was carefully watered every third evening. A careful count is about to be made of the total number of grains there is on the 36 heads. Mr O’Grady is at present having harvested on his farm at Lauriston, oat crops which are estimated to yield from 70 to 80 bushels per acre, and wheat which will thre-h out from 50 to 60 bushels per acre. The land is what is known as medium plains lands, but it is well farmed. A ton of superphosphate manure to the acre was used when tho seed was sown. COUNSEL FROM .ABROAD. doptts for farmers. ANTIDOTE FOR DEPRESSION. POINTS WORTH CONSIDERING. A writer in the Scottish lamer who for vears has written Farm Prospects for that journal under the pen name “ Arthur's Seat,” in hie last article before retirement, has compiled for unsuccessful farmers the following “ don ts. He explains that no attempt has been made either to be exhaustive or consecutive. The thoughts embodied iu the list are many and varied, but should find real enough application on many Otago farmsteads. There is no class of society more heterogenous in its character, none more primitive in its human associations, none more conservative in its progress, yet none more straightforward and reliable than those who work and live upon the land. The farmer is easily distinguishable in the crowd and by his appearance and nature he is clearly a person never over-serious. In this he is right, because only such a frame, of mind can stand him in good stead in bad tunes, when there are required all the courage and patience which he can summon. Depressing times are periods which test a person. They are the golden opportunities whereby the strong man can develop his superiority over his fellows. They are the trials which demand the genius of good sense. They are the dictators of expediency. There is no time more favourable to the future of agriculture than the present. And if we ponder awhile over our hue of action, if we separate rightly the “don’ts” from the ‘do’s” of life, there is nothing save ill-fortune which can stop the farmer from attaining prosperity. Very often it is not so much what a man does that makes him a failure; it is what ho does not. This is truer probably of agriculture than of most 'industries. One may therefore venture to reproduce these ‘ don’ts ” which the unsuccessful farmer can, with advantage, keep in view as soon as ho makes up his mind to turn over a new leaf: — Don’t be afraid to be unorthodox, so long as you retain your common sense. Don’t despise your forefathers, but, for any sake, be able to distinguish between their wisdom and their folly. Don't expect your landlord to help over much; he cannot afford it. Don’t quarrel with your laird; it is cheaper to hold your tongue. Don’t sign conditions of let or a lease which you have not read or do not understand, once you have read it. Don’t e»pect the landlord to release you from your obligations Don't despise research; it is about the only thing likely to do agriculture much good. Don’t grudge money spent on research, especially when the money is not your own. Don’t refuse a fair profit; if you do, you are a gambler out and out. Don’t manage your farm by proxy if yon can do it yourself. Proxies are often expensive no matter how honest. Don’t grudge your men a good wage — well paid workers are cheaper than the other kind. If you have the right sort, the more you pay them (within reason) the greater will be your profit. Don’t go to the market when you have nothing to sell or buy. Don’t settle your accounts over a pint of beer. A glass of milk is cheaper and better. Besides, by drinking milk you are* supporting your own industry. Don’t borrow money when you are fully mortgaged. It is criminal in those bad times. Don’t bay too much artificial manure if you can get plenty of dung, because the latter helps the soil in two ways. Most people value farm yard manure far too cheaply. First-class stuff is worth anything up to £1 per ton, although most farmers grudge paying 10s, which is a mistake. Don’t use artificial fertilisers of low analysis. The higher the analysis the cheaper the manure. Don’t take a white crop immediately after old pasture, especially where wild •white is abundant. But lake two green and thou a white if you like. Don’t rent a farm worth £1 per aero if you can rent one worth £5 per acre. Don’t rent a farm of 100 acres when you can as easily rent one of 500 acres. Don’t cultivate land which is worth less than £1 per acre; it doesn’t pay. Don’t buy, out of your own county, what you can buy in it. Don’t soil produce just to got ready cash. When you reach this stage it is time you were out. Get ready cash elsewhere if you can. If you cannot, you have no right to be farming. Tho difference in cash between a forced sa'e and a willing one is always more than tho interest on accommo elation money. Don’t buy stock which you can breed on the premises.

Don’t sell from your farm any produce which you can use in your own household. It is cheaper (with few exceptions) to produce than to buy. Don't pay income tax when yon have a loss. But if you do not keep books you may be called upon during a lease to pay hundreds of pounds which you need not pay. Don’t grouse at the weather. Real gamblers never grumble when they back losers. Besides, part of your rent is paid for tho weather. Don’t work with your hands (except for exorcise) when your brain is more useful. THE, MEAT. MARKET. PRESENT-DAY DEMAND. SMALL JOINT POPULAR. TREND OF CONSUMER’S TASTES. At tho conclusion of the eighty-fifth annual meeting of tho Farmers’ Club, held in London in December, Mr Samuel Pulliam, speaking with more than 49 years’ experience as a butcher in North London, delivered an address on the trend of consumers’ requirements for joints of moat. His observations are not only interesting, but they are of importance to Australian producers of beef and mutton inasmuch as they indicate the class of meat demanded. Mr Fulham said that the habits of the, people had undergone drastic change. families were smaller, the holiday habit, and the advent of tho motor car had affected homo life, and a greater variety of foods was at tho disposal of the public. These changes in the domestic life of the people hud affected the moat trade most profoundly. They had lost their taste for tho flavour and nutriment to bo found in meat from older animals, and they demanded small joints of beef such as could only be cut from small breeds of cattle, and baby beef, well fed from birth and arriving at maturitv between tho ages of 18 months and two years. There arc few breeds of cattle suitable to tho existing demand. The failure of producers to provide the right typo of beef for tho London market could be accounted for because young cattle werq allowed to lose their calf flesh and become so poor in condition that they had to bo kept until they were three or four years old before they were fit for the butcher; and because the, typo of bull known as a “ scrub ” bull did not get that class of stock which lent itself to early maturity. Moreover, the great increase in milk consumption during the lust 20 years had added to the neglect of tho bcef-niakuig animal, for it was generally admitted that it is more difficult to fatten oxen fiom a milking strain. There never was a tune in the history of tho trade, when there was so wide a margin in the price a stone which butchers wore prepared to pay for the article and type of beef they needed. The poor prices made by Heavy cattle compared ■with the high prices of choice, small cattle had boon noticable in recent years, am tho difference would he men more marked as the public demand for tho small joints increased. Roasts from a pure-bred Abei-decn-Angus heifer 0 r ox weighing 9cwt. or from 76st to 80st, cut as in London, and the roasts from a shorthorn weighing lUust boro no comparison. Tho larger joint would bo sold at 4d a lb less, and the difference in the economic value would be even more pronounced than that. Iho coarser parts were difficult to diposc of and the heavy ivoight of bone made the heavy boast far dearer and less economical. The demand for small joints of mutton had made the larger type of sheep most difficult to market, and the situation tended Io grow worse. Small choice sheep, w-cigh-ing 601 b. had made as much on their feet as those considerably heavier. Iho types most suitable for the trade wore the down and Kent crosses. Ihere was a time | when no brood of sheep was too largo for butchers to buy. The change had been brought about largely by the tremendous growth of tho Canterbury lamb .trade which nad advanced remarkably duiniß the lasi quarter of a century. 'Die public -was now able to obtain a whole joint, either a leg or a shoulder of 4lb and upwards, of a hmh standard of quality .and this had done awav with the hilf-joint trade which used to be so common. Many years ago a splendid type of Berkshire' pig, weighing between Ub and 70!b could be obtained at the Smithfield market, and it always brought top prices. Here tho Dutch potk trade so.affected prices that it put an end to that breed of pig a 3 a profitable undertaking. Tho of the 121 b weekend joint gone, and there seemed to be no prospect that the demand for large joints w'Ould return.