THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 20930, 21 January 1930, Page 4

THE RURAL WORLD.

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

By Rusticits-

FORTHCOMING SHOWS, January 24.—Palmerston-Waihemo. February 12.—Tapanui. March ID—Lake County. April 21.—Strath-Taieri. 1930 WOOL SALES. Dates of wool sales yet to be held in the various selling centres with the allocations that have heen decided- upon by the Wool Committee are as follows; January- 21.—Auckland (20,000). January 24.—Wanganui (20,000). January 30. —Invercargill (22,000) February 4.—Dunedin (23,00.0). February, 7.—Timaru. (18,000)' February 11.—Christcnurch (24.000) February 19.—Wellington (27.000) . February 25.—Napier (25.000 j March I.—Wanganui (20.000). March 7.—Christchurch (no limit) March 12.—Dunedin (23,000). March 14—Invercargill (lc limit), 'larch 21 Wellington (27,%0j March 24.—Napier (no limit). March 28 —Auckland (no limit) April 3.—Dunedin (no limit'. Cinnabar Moth and Ragwort. Mr 6. W. Wild, instructor in agriculture, reports that he recently visited the Makarewa district where the cinnabar moth caterpillars which are expected to attack ragwort were released last summer. Although .he could find none of the moths, residents of the district informed him that a strange red moth coinciding with the description of the cinnabar had been seen in the vicinity. Mr Wild was. able to find eggs well distributed over an area extendng two or three chains beyond where the caterpillars were released last year, together with caterpillars in various stages of development, apparently doing well on the ragwort bushes. This is proof that the cinnabar moth will winter quite well in Southland. Two further small consignments of cinnabar moth caterpillars have been placed out this season at Myress Bush and Rakahouka respectively. Striking Experiments. Some unusual experiments which are being conducted at the Winton Experimental Area to ascertain the increases from phosphatic manures when applied at different times of the year have shown a per acre per day production of grass from June to the end of December as follows: —(l) Period from-June to the middle of September, 91b of grass per acre per day (practically nothing); (2) period from September to the middle of October, 451 b. of grass per acre per day. Period from the middle of October to the middle of November, 801 b of grass per acre per day. Period from the middle of November to the first week in DecemPeriod, from.the first week in December to the end of December, 951 b of grass per acre per' day. Although'these, experiments are not yet complete the results quoted point to a comparatively poor return from phosphatic manures applied in mid-winter. Popularity of Ensilage. There has been a striking-increase this season in the number of farmers who have prepared ensilage for winter feed for their stock. The experience of the few farmers who experimented with ensilage last year was so encouraging that in every case they have decided to continue the practice, and they have been successful in. inducing a number ,of others to utilise their surplus grass for this purpose, Properly treated; ensilage, is preferred by stock as'fodder to hay, "and Is, in addition, more nutritive. In the North Island the practice of making ensilage has increased'rapidly in popularity and Southland visitors to the north who have recently returned report that practically every farmer in the chief dairying provinces is making provision for this form of winter feed. Conditions in Southland, are particularly suitable for ensilage making, and the next few years will, no doubt, see a marked increase in its use id though the most .suitable time for cutting and stacking ensilage is almost "past, farmers could still utilise surplus grass for this purpose, and it appears likely that even, more farmers, will undertake the work in Southland this season in view of the fact that ,in .many cases .the .pas-. tures are tending to get beyond suitable control. ■ ■

Experimental .Works. • Experimental work carried out by the officers of the fields division of the Department of. Agriculture during the past ■week or so includge eight hay-weight experiments that have been, harvested in Southland. In general, increased returns have been obtained over the returns for the previous year and the results appear.to be quite,satisfactory.. A striking feature of these experiments has been that in. certain localities in the Western District definite responses have been »obtained from potash which in these areas appears, to give payable increase. It is interesting to note that the'-work of the department is producing more definite information in regard to the response obtained frJm the various manures. While potash w,as previously considered to give a payable response only in the vicinity of the Mataura Valley, it appears that a definite response car- be obtained in certain other districts. It is stated that there does not appear to be any response in fiver flat country built up by floods, the return .coming from lana apparently in its original formation only.

Problems of Agriculture. Moving the .adoption of the report of the Council of the Central and Associated Chambers of Agriculture, Mr P. J. Hannon (chairman) said that under some baneful influence the agricultural industry of Britain was becoming more and more embarrassed from year to year. All political partieg seemed to be helpless to present _ any really constructive scheme for the improvement of farming. The late Administration made magnificent efforts to contribute in a variety of ways to the improvement of agricultural conditions, but the fact was that, ,no matter how useful in they might be. the smaller measures which were possible within the limits of the accepted policies of parties could not ultimately solve our agricultural difficulties. So long as the great urban population of this country made a fetish of free food imports, so long would the agricultural problem .present ■ .supreme difficulty to any statesman who had to deal with it. No more poisonous illusion had ever inflicted injury on a great people than the illusion that their food woukl cost them more under a carefully conceived system of protection for the benefit of agriculture. He hoped that some statesman would arise who would have the courage to tackle this great problem with that vision and deminating influence which would enable the mass of the people to see the light. He referred to the incongruity of a system under which subsidised imports of grain were coming into this country, and criticised the arrangements now in progress to enable the Argentine Government to enjoy a free market in this country for food products for a indefinite period in consideration of a doubtful concession of a remission of 50 per cent, on silk and artificial silk products. To hand over for. all time a free market at the expense of the British farmer and farm labourer was one of the most monstrous propositions that the common sense of this country had ever been asked to swallow. The agricultural •industry had not only been of profound moment to the development of this country and the Empire, but it had indirectly exercised an inspiring influence on the whole march of civilisation for generations.

Portobello Show. The Peninsula Agricultural and . astoral Society concluded a very successful year with its annual social for the presentation of the cups and trophies won at the recent show, which was one of the most successful yet held under the society’s auspices. A musical programme, to which Mr and Mrs Watters and Mr A Johnstone contributed items, was thoroughly enjoyed, and after the presentation dancing was indulged in.

Itenw of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will bo welcomed. 'Shejr should be addressed to “Rusticus,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

Waihemo Show. The Waihemo A. and P. Society’s summer show will be held on the beautifullysituated show grounds just outside the township on Friday., of this week. The catalogue to be presented this year is an excellent one, and the entries are exceedingly good. The, show offers .ity people an excellent opportunity for a day out .in the country, as well as providing a display of live stock that should be of great interest. Judging Pigs. How many breeds of pigs can one man judge? This question was discussed at yesterday’s meeting of the New Zealand Pig Breeders’ Council in Palmerston North. “ This matter of judging is a burning question in the north,” stated Mr C. W. Anderson, of Auckland. “ Can you name me one man who can judge all five breeds? ” Mr F. J. Shepherd (Thames): “Yes, and I would give it a good go myself.” Mr Anderson: “ Well, 1 don’t know of one. Can you tell me a man who is capable of judging all breeds of cattle?” Mr Shepherd: “Yes, I can.’" The secretary stated that he had written all the judges asking them what breeds they thought themselves capable of judging. A large number had replied, while others had not. As a solution to the difficulty of too many breeds ; he suggested that each judge be limited to three breeds,, which would practically compel A. and P. associations to appoint two judges. Members thought the idea an excellent one, as it was too much to ex Eect oue man to adjudicate in a(I live reeds except at small shows where en tries were small. The smaller A. and P. associations could always write the judge whom they intended to appoint, asking him if he would cover all breeds. -The judges are to be written to again, asking them what three breeds they will take. DAIRY FARMERS’ TOUR. A NEW ZEALAND PARTY. TEN WEEKS IN EUROPE. . A party of New Zealand dairy- farmers will leave early in -May to undertake an instructional and pleasure tour of the agricultural areas in Great Britain and on the Continent. An official of Thomas Cook and Son, Ltd., the travel agents who are arranging the tour, states that the party will comprise approximately 50 farmers and their wives, representative of every province in the Dominion. Exactly 10 weeks will be spent in Europe. A party of farmers from all parts of the Empire paid a somewhat similar visit to Europe. in 1928, touring the agricultural districts and studying methods of production and marketing, but the present tour will be limited tc "dew Zealand farmers only. The party will leave Sydney by the Ormonde on May 10, arriving in London on June 19, and will spend the first two months in Great Britain and Ireland. Among the places to be visited of special interest to dairy farmers will be the Smithfield Markets and United Dairies in London, the National Institute for Research in Dairying at Reading, Mr Upson’s farm for Friesian cattle at North Dean, several Shorthorn farms in Devon, the Royal Agricultural College in Somerset, the Midland Agricultural and Dairy College, and various farms near Nottingham, the creameries of St. Cuthberfe Co-operative Associa-. tion, near Edinburgh, various farms at Perth, the Kilmarnock Dairy School and Ayrshire herds near Glasgow, the Belfast Co-operative Milk Depot, the Albert, Agricultural College at Dublin, the Tipperary Co-operative and the Knocklong creameries, the Loobagh herd of pedigree dairy Shorthorns at Kilmallock, and Mr S. M. Lysaght’s pedigree stock farm for Shorthorns and pedigree Kerry cattie in Killarney. Leaving London on August 8 the party will inspect cattle on the island of Jersey, the markets in Paris, dairy factories and farms in Holland, Germany, and Denmark, the Askov Institute of Research and the.Ladelund School of Agriculture and Dairy Work in Denmark. The return to London will be made on September 5. It is also hoped to pay a visit to -the Royal • Farm at Windsor, and, if. the dates suit, the Agricultural and Highland Shows. ■ LORD BLEDISLOE. LAND DRAINAGE LEGISLATION. In the absence of Lord O’Hagan, Mr P, J. Hannon presided at" a meeting of the Council of the Central .and Associated Chambers of .Agriculture held at the Surveyors’ Institution, Great George street; Westminster, when the chairman referred to the appointment of Lord Bledisloe as the next Governor-General of New Zealand and said that they desired to convey to him their sincere congratulatona on the distinguished honour conferred on him by the. King and to wish him all success and prosperity during his. five years of administrative responsibility. It was agreed that a suitable minute should be placed on the records . and that an appropriate communication should be sent to Lord Bledisloe. Lord Bledisloe, who was chairman of the Royal Commission on Land Drainage in 1027, referring to his appointment as Governor-General of New Zealand, said he regretted that for five years he would have' to sever a long association with many agricultural friends belonging to several agricultural organisations, and not least among them his friends of the old Central Chamber of Agriculture, which, he would like to feel, would continue in the future and find some useful outlet to its activities. It must be remembered that the Central Chamber had been a great collective protagonist in the old days. Put for it, many difficult problems would never have been tackled and the Ministry of Agriculture might never have come into existence. With regard to the drainage question, he said -that although the minor water-courses might be important, and the condition of many of them was far from what it ought to be, the main consideration which dominated the commission’s deliberatons was that if they wanted to have an effective drainage system they must get absolute clearances in their main outlets What was happening was - that in the case of every great river and estuary, with the exception of the Thames, there had been forming great silt barriers, which resulted in the raising of the beds of the water-courses, and. what was more serious, the raising of the water table or level of water throughout the country. The burden of dealing with the problem should not be laid entirely on the shoulders of landowners and tarmers. Those who were responsible for the increased flow of refuse, etc., into the upper water-courses, especially in urban areas, should share the burden