THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22064, 21 September 1933, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

By Rxjsticus.

Items of interest to those engaged i with a view to their publication in They should be addressed to “Rusti

1933-34 WOOL SEASON

Value of Top-dressing

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

n agricultural and pastoral pursuits, these columns, will be welcomed, cus,’' Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

because the mill has exhausted its old wool stocks and cannot average down. On solid worsteds of 60’s merino upwards, some suppliers intimate a rise of 9d a yard.” Dearer wool to July had, therefore, not produced revolutionary alteration in wholesale prices for fabrics. The wool market, in Australia has latterly been 15 to 20 per cent, above July basis, and further advances in prices for goods will consequently be necessary. To some extent increased cost of raw material is offset by utilising lower grades of wool in the manufacture of mill products, but there is a limit to which that procedure can be practised. The higher figures which the staple is costing must have some effect on the selling rates of goods, but the latter have been cut in price by millmen abroad for so long that a definite reason for holding prices more firmly on payable levels is probably welcomed by manufacturers. It can safely be stated that trade has been _ better since prices rose and thereby infused some confidence into purchasers than it was when values were depressed and all concerned were nervous. Wool cannot safely become too costly, but its present price does not appear likely to prove a hindrance to trade in fabrics. Bradford Tops Compared

Values for tope in Bradford have latterly been on the highest levels in English currency recorded since November, 1929. The degree to which they have risen since the lowest point of the depression in June, 1932, and since the Sydney sales closed last June, is shown by the quotations for average tops covering the periods mentioned:—• June, June, Sept., 1932. 1933.' 1933.

The figures show the marked extent to which merinos have appreciated in value compared with crossbreds, more particularly the coarser sorts* supplies of which are plentiful. Fine crossbreds were in relatively strong inquiry throughout last season.

The excellent conditions have proved to many farmers that it is advisable to topdress to get a good supply of early grass, and one farmer who was in the city recently stated that the value of topdressing was very marked in his district. One farmer, who had been top-dreflsing for some years, had a very fine growth of grass, while his neighbour, who had not done any top-dressing, was short of feed. The man who had top-dressed was able to keep his stock in good heart and his cows were < consequently doing well for the beginning of the season.

The same farmer also commented on the value of liming, and said that he had recently had evidence of the value of dressing ground with carbonate. On a farm he had occupied some years ago he had limtd one-half of a paddock and had left tin other half, and had Concluded that the lime had made very little difference. Then he sold the property and forgot all about the matter, but he had met the purchaser recently, and had been asked if he had limed part of the paddock. One-half of the grass had run out while the other hall was doing well, and it was the limed half that tvas still carrying the stock.

Dairy Produce Market Probably because of the dry spell which England has experienced, the price of butter on the Home market has advanced to a figure that will give the dairy farmers quite a good return when the extra from the exchange is taken into consideration. Cheese has also improved p little, but not to the same extent, and 'the majority of the dairy farmers in Southland are anxiously awtaitiug the outcome of the next month or six weeks in the hope that better prices will be forthcoming by the time ( the first shipments of the new season's cheese reach the Home market.

Course of Butter Prices The course of butter prices in London since the beginning of September last year is shown in the following comparative table:—*

New Zealand. Danish. 1932. Per cwt. Per owt.

The cheese market last week was quiet, but firm, New Zealand white at 52s fid to 535, showing a rise of 2s to 2s 6d, and coloured at 53s 8d to 54s fid, a rise of Is fid on the week.

Lambing Percentages The mild weather has had a very good effect as far as the lambing is concerned, and reports from country districts are to the effect that percentages will be fairly high. If the warm weather continues during the spring and early summer there will be an abundance of feed, and the lambs should be well forward when the freezing works open. Market Prospects The first of the new season’s lambs have now appeared on the market, and prices so far have been high. These values, however, do not indicate to any extent what the season will bring forth as the small quantity now. coming forward is meeting with a demand ns a luxury and not with a general demand from the public. At the same time reports from England indicate that the coming season will be very much better than the last one was, and if the Dominion can place all of its lamb On the Home market the budgetary position should be greatly improved.

TOPICS OF INTEREST. OFFICIAL NOTES.

In connection with the proposal to close the Gore Experimental Farm the provincial secretary has now received a reply from the Minister of Agriculture stating that he is sorry that the decision of the Government cannot bo reconsidered. The reply contains full particulars of the work being carried out In the North Island and the reasons for the continuance of such research work as is being carried on there.

There was a very good muster of farmers and their Wives at Ilillend on Friday evening last to hear addresses from Mr William Lee (member of the Dairy Board) and Mr A. C. Cameron (provincial secretary), Mr P. M'Skimming, M.P., was also present and gave a short address on freezing and other matters. Mr T. M'CullOch Occupied the chair. The audience listened attentively to all three speakers and at the conclusign of the address asked numerous questions. Supper was provided by the members of the Hilleiid branch of the Women’s Division.

The Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association claims to have established a record in connection with the settlement of fil'e insurance claims. During the 28 years of its existence every claim for total loss has been settled in full and during the last 10 years the average date of settlement has been 18

days; during the last five years the average date of settlement has been 16 days. On numerous occasions a settlement has been made within 48 hours of the date of the fire.

Beginning with to-day’s Farmers’ Union notes, it is Mr A. C. Cameron’s intention to supply each week an axiom or a pithy utterance made by some prominent Otago farmer in connection with fanning or farming problems. For want of a better name we will refer to them as “wisecracks.” Needless to say the saying may not necessarily be original. The first comes from Mr William Lee (of Goodwood). “Never buy a farm or stock in the late afternoon—the grass looks greener, the stock in better condition, and the farm generally looks in better ‘ nick ’ than it actually is,”

In a modern insurance office fire claims are received almost daily and although most are a serious matter for the people concerned there is occasionally a humorous side. An illustration of this is given by Mr A. C. Cameron, who reports that a farmer had one of his farm buildings burnt down some seven weeks ago. and suffered severe loss as he had a good deal of fertiliser, a motor truck, and some farm implements burnt in the fire. When speaking to the Farmers’ Union organiser a few days ago the farmer suddenly remarked, “By _ jove, I believe I had that building insured in the Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association.” He immediately searched among his papers and sure enough the was insured. Needless to say he lost no time in putting in a claim.

When speaking to the Tahatika branch of the Farmers’ Union Mr William Lee made the rather interesting statement that recent advices received by the Dairy Board stated that the Danes were killing off their cows at the rate of 1500 per week. At the present time it is estimated that it costs £8 per cow for winter feed, which means that the Danish farmer cannot nfforcl to keep anything other than an animal with a good butter-fat record. Advices have also been received from Australia that sheep farmers who went in for cows last year are fattening them off. With the improved prices of wool and the depressed conditions of dairying they are anxious to get out of cows. This would indicate that prices for dairy produce would adjust themselves as the supply decreases.

Members will learn with the deepest regret of the death of Mr John Cockburn, president of the Wakatipu branch of the Farmers’ Union, and a member of the Otago Provincial Council. Mr Cockburn's tall, well-built figure will he missed from council meetings. His accumulated knowledge, gained from practically a lifetime farming experience in the Arrowtown district, in transporting goods and material during the early mining rushes, as a member of the Lake County Council (and as its chairman for many years), as a member of the Southland Hospital Board, Education Board, and of many other local bodies,_ will foe a very great loss to the council.

All who had the privilege of meeting Mr and Mrs John Cockburn at Arthur’s Point knew something of the unbounded hospitality and genuine kindliness which was a feature of their home. The late Mr Cockburn will be very greatly missed from his district, and particularly from Farmers’ Union circles.

When one of the representatives of a manufacturing concern wap giving evidence before the Tariff Commission recently Professor Murphy remarked that he was actually asking for a quota. Witness agreed that this was SO. Professor Murphy then asked: “ (Suppose we ask for a quota against Britain? That would very greatly strengthen the hands of those in Great Britain who want a quota against our butter. That is quite a serious point for you to counter. What is your answer to that? ”

Witness:_ My answer to that is: that I am not interested in butter —I am interested only in Professor Murphy: Yes, but New Zealand is interested in butter; if the butter market burst we would all go under, and yOu would go under, too. Witness: I realise that. <*

Professor Murphy: It is no good you saying you are not interested in butter. Everybody in New Zealand is interested in butter, and if irc)u demand a quota on the one side it may lead to seriolis consequences on the other.

At this time of the year Ovvaka Valley is one of the bonniest districts in Otago. If anyone wants to see good farms and good stock in a charming setting we recommend a visit. In addition to this, Messrs William Lee and A. C. Cameron, who have just returned from a visit, can vouch for the hospitality of the residents. They recommend, however, that visitors “ ca’ canny ” on the subject of pigs. What some of the farmers don’t know on the subject isn’t worth recording. For instance, the secretary of the branch, Mr Robert Warnock, will be very happy to show you what a Tamworth boar should look like, and he knows his subject, even if he miscounts occasionally. Mr John Brndfield has a fine lot of the Tamworth-Berkshire cross and a number of Middle Whites; Mr James Morris has some fine Berksliires. The Large White is not too popular, but it is used here and there with advantage for breeding purposes. Mr T. M‘Nab is another Owaka Valley farmer with some useful pigs, and with very strong views on the subject, Next week we propose to publish reflections by Mr Warnock on the subject, but he wishes it to be clearly understood that he is not qualifying for a position at Lincoln College.

THE WOOL SEASON

CONFIDENCE IN OUTLOOK DEVELOPMENTS IN TRADE The Textile Argus, discussing the changed conditions of the wool market, says:— Events during the past three months in the wool markets of the world must have put new heart into the growers, whoso chief regret at the moment will be that there is to be a drop of about 250,000 bales in the next merino clip. The time when w’oolgrowing -will again be a profitable proposition is now within sight. The substantial rise has been due to a considerable extent to world factors which have affected other commodities also. There have, however, been special considerations peculiar to the wool industry. Confidence has been restored by the fact that the demand for wool has kept pace with supplies in the finer grades, in spite of unsatisfactory world economic conditions and although supplies of medium and low crossbreds have been in excess of demand in recent years, the manner in which these qualities have been bought at rapidly rising prices proves that consumers have now regained complete confidence in the trade outlook. Once the movement started it had a snowball effect, and machinery activity in July, normally a quiet month, will probably prove to be about the best of the year. Everybody is asking “ What about America? ” There has been big buying on American account, and a lot of the wool is still here. It could, in fact, be resold at a nice profit, and some people have expressed the view that there might he profit taking, but reports from the United States suggests that the wool is needed to meet machinery requirements. A report from New York states that machinery is idle owing to the inability of its owners to secure adequate supplies of tops aiid yarns, and the industry is said to have accepted all the business it can handle efficiently.

A new schedule of working hours and wages to be drafted by the industry in accordance with the provisions of the National Industry Recovery Act will be put into effect. One can understand that there will be a rush to get goods produced before wages are revised and hours of labour shortened, and that may, to some extent, account for the amazing spurt of activity in America. Apart from this, however, there is a stock replenishment movement in America which lias caught the country short of wool and consequently it seems probable that every pound bought in the United Kingdom by American users Will he wanted. CROSSBREDS IMPROVING. Confidence has spread all along the line; it started in merinos and extended to crossbreds, and it has embraced hotli worsted and woollen sections of the industry. Merchants of clothing wools have made some of the largest sales they have known

for many months in clothing merinos, scoured and sliped crossbreds, noils, and carbonised wools of various qualities, though only at very small margins over May rates. Most woollen mills have made substantial additions to their stocks of raw material during the last five or six weeks, and that in itself is a sign of confidence.

It has frequently been asserted during the long period of low prices that crossbreds could not recover until the way had been prepared by a substantial advance in values of merinos, and this has proved to be true. The spectacular advance in wool during the last two months has been led all the time by merinos, but a point was reached at which crossbreds ” ecamc attractive, especially to United States of America buyers in South America. There may have been some improvement in the demand for yarns and fabrics, but the appreciation in prices of crossbred wool i s partly due to the need of some buyers of fabrics to work to a price—necessitating the use of lower qualities—and partly to improved sentiment created by the rise in the finer qualities. The natural assumption is that continued firmness in fine sorts will tend to encourage the consumption of the hitherto neglected qualities, and there has been some speculative buying of crossbred tops liy merchants who anticipate a sympathetic rise in the sorts that have shown the least response to the upward movement in values.

ROSTER OF SALES

Wool sales have been arranged as follows for the 1933-34 wool-selling season m New Zealand: — Place. Date. Auckland .. .. November 27 Napier December 1 Wellington .. .. December 7 Christchurch .. December 12 Timaru December 16 Dunedin .. ~ December 20 Napier January 6 Wellington .. .. January 11 Auckland .. .. January 15 Wanganui .. January 19 Christchurch .. January 26 Invercargill .. January 31 Dunedin .. .. February 5 Timaru February 9 Wellington .. .. February 16 Napier hebruary 20 Wanganui .• .. February 23 Christchurch .. March 2 Dunedin •• March 7 Invercargill .. .. March 9 Wellington .. .. March 19 Napier March 23 Auckland .. . < March 27 Christchurch •• Ap r “ ® Duncdin ,» •*. April 10 Wanganui <4 .. April 17 Napier .. .. .. April 20 Wellington .. April 24

The April sale dates are tentative only, subject to revision, and will bo held only if sufficient wool is available.

1933-34 SHOW SEASON

ROSTER OF DATES Agricultural shows have been arranged for the 1933-34 season as follows; 1933 Sent. Otago Horse Parade, Tahuna Park, Sent. 30 Wyndham Horse Parade. Oct. 25 and 26 .. . • Timaru. Nov. 1 Kelso. Nov. 2 .. .. .. •• Ashburton. Nov. 1. 2. and 3 .. Manawatu and Z, West Coast, at * Palmerston N. Nov. 3 Rangiora. NoV. 9 and 10 .. Canterbury, at Christchurch. Nov. 14 .. .. .. .. Wairaate. Nov. 16 and 17 •• North Otago, at Oamaru. Nov, 18 Taieri, at Outram. Nov. 21 and 22 .. Otago, at Tahuna Park. Nov. 23 and 24 .. Clutha and Matau, at Balclutha, Nov. 25 * Win ton. Deo. 5 and 6.» •. Gore. Dec. 8 Wyndham. Dec 8 .. .. .. .. Maniototo, at Kan-, furly. Dec, 12 and 13 .. Southland, at Invercargill. 1934

Peb. 8,9, and 10 .. Royal, at Auckland. April 12 Temuka and Geraldine, at Winchester.

Otago Horse Parade The Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society’s annual stallion parade at Tahuna Park, which will be held to-day week, promises to be one of the most outstanding exhibitions of its kind for several years. The entries this year total 29, compared with 22 last year, and the standard of quality to be found_ m the exhibits is unusually high. Entries have been received from Canterbury and Southland as well as from the principal horsebreeding districts of Otago, and those interested in heavy horse breeding ran expect a striking display of stock. .Boys and Girls’ Clubs

Members of calf-rearing and root-grow-ing clubs under the jurisdiction of the Otago Boys and Girls’ Agricultural Clubs Association are' reminded that entries for the calf-rearing competition and the Bruce turnip-growing competition will close 'yith the secretary (Mr J. E. Davies) in Dunedin, October 14.

Sydney Wool Sales At the Sydney wool sales Japan has sharply contradicted opinions held abroad that her purchasing operations would be less active this season. Her competition has displayed outstanding strength, prices for average type merinos suitable to her needs showing particular buoyancy. Yorkshire has been very active. France again Operated freely, and an increased inquiry from Germany has been noticeable throughout the week’s sales. Belgian, Italian, and Australian millmen gave the market good support, but American inquiry has not yet been experienced to any appreciable degree. Free, medium-quality merinos adapted to United States requirements nave not so far been available m any quantity.

Market Changes Values have been very stable at the sales so far held. Any alteration in prices has been slightly upwards, but the change has been barely quotable. Merino fleece wools of 60/04’s to 64/70’s type have in many cases shown a rise of Id per lb on a clean basis or approximately id per lb in the grease, but on the present level of rates in Australian currency is barely 5 per cent. Skirtings have often displayed a similar appreciation, the market now showing an accumulated ad* vance during the two Weeks of par to about 5 per cent. Though further advanced results would he welcome to the owners concerned, the absence of undue excitement and an additional upward rush in prices is probably of more general benefit to the industry. A “boom and burst” movement at this juncture would upset the confidence which has gradually been accumulated during the past six months.

Wool and the Price of Goods In February average 04’b merino tops were quoted at 22d in Bradford and m July at 30Jd. The difference reflects the advance "recorded in wool values during the period. Overseas reports under similar circumstances often refer to, the impossibility of securing increased prices for fully manufactured goods in sympathy with the higher cost of the raw material. The reply of the grower ie the question. What difference does the price of wool make in the cost of a suit of clothes? Both divisions naturally look at the subject from their own particular viewpoint. The Textile Mercury and Argus of Bradford throws some light On the results of the higher values ruling for wool from February to July. “ Inquiries of a number of clothing manufacturers reveal that the advance they have so far been called upon to pay amounts as a rule to 2d a yard on low woollen overcoatings and flannels which previously cost 2s to 3s a yard in English currency and 3d a yard on former 3s to 5s qualities. Here and there the advance is greater, presumably

d. d. d. 70’s merino 23 27 36 04’s merino .. .. .. 204 26 34 60’s comeback .. .. 20 244 33 56’s fine crossbred .. 154 194 22J 50’s medium crossbred 10 134: 154 46’s coarse crossbred 9 10 Hi

September 3 s. 100 s. 112 S. 124 s. October 1 .. t • 109 no 118 120 November 5 .. 95 104 124 126 December 3 .. 86 89 122 126 1933. January 7 .. 82 84 112 February 4 . * • • 78 80 112 — March 4 .. . 75 78 103 104 .April 1 .. .. 67 70 90 01 May 6 .. • • 72 74 90 — June 3 .. .. 78 81 87 88 July 1 .. .. 76 78 89 91 August 4 .. 83 86 100 1-02 September 1 91 94 108 no September 15 100 102 120 —