THE RURAL WORLD.

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22246, 26 April 1934, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD.

By Rustictjs

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

OTAGO PROVINCIAL SHEEP DOG ASSOCIATION THIS YEAR’S TRIALS. The association has fixed the following locations and dates for the collie dog trials for 1934: Palmerston, —May 9, 10. and 11. Waihemo. —May 16, 17, and 18. Miller’s Flat—May 22, 23, and 24. Clutha.—May 25, 26, and 28. Warepa,—May 29, 30, and. 31; June 1 (Otago Provincial Championship). Tuapeka.—June 15, 16, and 18. South Island Sheep Dog Association Championship (to be held at Strath Taieri). —June 19, 20, 21, and 22. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT “Red-Top” (Balclutha).—On light land red-top will often take possession of fallow land and brown-top frequently does the same on heavy country. Land on which these grasses are likely to be troublesome should never be win-ter-fallowed by skim ploughing the grass in the autumn or early winter, but should be ploughed in August with a skimmer attachment to the plough, and kept worked up during the spring until the crop is sown. London Wool Sales Although the wool-selling season in New Zealand is now at an end the outcome of the London series of auctions which will commence next Tuesday will have the most important bearing on the pastoral outlook for the coming six months. Dunedin brokers have little direct information concerning the state of the market, and predictions are extremely difficult in view of the attitude Germany has recently taken up with regard to the importation of raw wool. The embargo that has been imposed is likely to have a considerable effect on the demand in Coleman street next week, and until its actual influence can be gauged the strength of the market for the next few months must be an unknown quantity. Locally there is a variety of views with regard to the result of the German embargo. Some authorities consider that it will make no appreciable difference, nut those who have marked the strong influence of Continental buying at the four Dunedin sales this year will incline to the view that the virtual withdrawal from the market of so important a purchaser as Germany cannot be without serious effects.

Easier Rates Expected Most Dunedin brokers are prepared for an easier market when the London sales open. Advices from their London offices indicate that, the values realised at the close of the March series of sales will not be maintained for all descriptions of wool. The fine wools, merino, Corriedale, and halfbreds generally, and possibly fine crossbreds, should hold their own, but there seems to be a general feeling that values will be slightly in buyers’ favour. The outlook for medium and coarse crossbreds is anything but bright and lower rates must be expected for these sorts. The percentage of New Zealand wool in the offerings next Tuesday will be large, but the total catalogues presented will represent a considerably reduced quantity compared with the March senes.

March Prices The following were current quotations for wools of average _ condition at the close of the second series of London wool sales last month: — Per lb.

Merino Importations One of the most important shipments of stud merino sheep that has been made to New Zealand from Australia for many years has just been landed by Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., to the order of Mr Drummond Fernie, Otamoa, Kakatahi. The shipment'comprised two special stud rams each costing 200 guineas and 10 special stud ewes, all selected from the inner flock of the famous Uardry Stud, Hay, New South Wales. The rams represent the best breeding strains of this famous flock and the ewes were specially selected for mating with them. They were specially selected for their dense even fleeces of high-class wool and are the type that should .suit the climatic conditions of the Dominion. Mr Fernie, who runs fine wool flocks of merinos on both his central North Island and Hawke’s Bay properties, also maintains a high-class English Leicester flock, and has been very successful in breeding halfbred rams by Australian-bred merino rams from English Leicester ewes. It is considered that this cross on account of their valuable fleeces and good shape of the rams will become popular with enterprising sheep men who have country on which they can breed fine-woolled rams. Another experiment of this description is being carried out in the breeding of halfbreds on D’Urville Island. Wright, Stephenson, and Co., Ltd., imported a high-class merino ram from the Bonooke Stud, Australia, to mate with purebred Penrose Romney ewes that were selected for their good fleeces. Sheep-breeders’ Conference

The annual meeting and conference of the New Zealand Sheepbreeders” Association at Massey College will be held this year on May 23 and 24. The programme of lectures and demonstrations, which commences at 10 a.m. on Thursday, May 23, includes the following:—“ Types of Rape and Kale used in New Zealand,” by . Mr J. W. Hadfield, Department of Agriculture; “ Research in Problems in Connection with the Treatment of Hides and Pelts,” by Mr P. White, Department of Scientific and Industrial Research; “The Control of the White Butterfly,” by Mr J. Muggeridge, Plant Research Station; “ Some Known Causes of Sterility,” by Professor G. S. Peren, Massey Agricultural College; “Foot Rot in Sheep,” by Mr J. M. M'Linden, M.R.C.V.S., Massey Agricultural College; “Sheep Dogs,” by Mr A. C. Morton, Massey Agricultural College; “Chilled Beef; Type of Cattle Required and Process,” by a moat trade expert (to be arranged); demonstrations on: (1) Romney sheep, by Mr J. E. Hewitt, Mangamaire; (2) Southdown sheep, demonstrator to be arrange. Inspections of the Massey Agricultural College Farm, and of the grass and clover plots of the Plant Research Station, will be made. The large attendance of farmers from a very wide area at last year’s meeting was evidence of the appreciation of the previous meeting, and it is hoped that an even greater number will be present this year.

Stud Sheep Exports Of interest to New Zealand sheepfarmers generally was the shipment last week of seven stud Romney rams from the flock of Messrs Voss Bros., Karere. to Mr H. Coffin, Yakima, Washington. Included in the same shipment were three outstanding Corriedale rams bred by Mr W. Rayner, of Masterton, and despatched to the same breeder. The seven Romneys, which comprised the first shipment of New Zealand-bred Romney sheep to the United States of America for many years, including three shearling rams and seven ram lambs. Messrs Voss Bros, have for sale about 500 Romney rams each season, and the seven ram lambs were specially selected from them by Mr S. J. Go niter, chief stud‘stock officer attached to the staff of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Ltd. The

FARM AND STATION NEWS.

in agricultural and pastoral pursuit*, these columns, will be welcomed, cus,” Otago Daily Times, Dunedin.

specifications which Mr Coffin scut out called for a rather larger boned sheep than is usually accepted in New Zealand, and he also asked for great strength in the wool. This shipment is to be regarded as an experiment by Mr Coffin, and if it proves successful, it ig hoped a brisk demand will eventuate for New Zealand-bred Romney Marsh sheep. The three Corriedales were beautiful sheep, being the top of Air Rayner’s shearling rams. The value set on New Zealandbred sheep abroad is shown by the realisations just received by the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company Ltd., from their agents in Argentina, ot Mr W. Rayner’s December shipment to that country: Twelve Lincolns averaged 1275 dollars; three Corriedales, 1025 dollars; and three Romneys, 800 dollars. At the same time a number of Englishbred Lincolns and Romneys were offered, a few being sold at an t average price of 400 dollars, the majority being passed with no bidders. Roughly 13 Argentine gold dollars go to the pound sterling.

OFFICIAL

Wise-cracks for the week; — Minimise friction and create harmony. You can get friction for nothing, but harmony costs courtesy and self-control. — Elbert Hubbard. To-day is yesterday’s pupil.—Franklin.

Loyalty is the great lubricant in life. It saves the wear and tear of making daily decisions as to what -is best to do. It preserves balance and makes results cumulative. The man who is loyal to his work is not wrung nor perplexed by doubts—he sticks to the ship, and if the ship founders he goes down a hero with the colours flying at the mast, and band playing.—Hubbard.

The provincial secretary would be pleased to hear from any young farmers between the ages of 16 and 25 years who wish to attend the week’s agricultural course being arranged by the North Otago executive. The course will be held at the Waitaki Boys’ High School from May 7 to 11 (inclusive). The cost' to each lad, apart from train fare, will be 255.

Writing to a friend an American agricultural professor states: —“Ten million acres of cotton and some thousands of tobacco have been ploughed under; the latest move is the killing of 200,000 prospective mother sows. If this will bring material prosperity I have wasted my life.” •

In his book on “ The Influence of Alan on Vegetation,” Professor E. J. Salisbury, F.R.S., states that the average farmer brings home -on his boots and in the hem of his trousers the seed of many weeds. A stroll over a Hertfordshire common collected, in two trouser hems, seeds of 110 grasses and three dicotyledons. Ounce packets of-dust, swept out of the pews of a church and deposited on sterilised soil, produced from one to 14 plants apiece.

At a recent meeting of the council a discussion took place on the matter of over-crowding of the gallery at the Dunedin wool sales. The provincial secretary was instructed to ascertain the views of tlifc Dunedin Stock Agents’ and Woolbrokers’ Association. Mr Cameron has now received a reply from the secretary of the Stock Agents’ Association to the effect that the matter was discussed at a recent meeting. As a meeting of the New Zealand Woolbrokers’ Association is to be held in Christchurch this week it was decided to ask the Dunedin delegates to find out the practice adopted in other centres. * * * Much has been written about the high cost of fertilisers. The following story shows that the problem has cropped up in at least one city. A lady in the suburbs had been accustomed to buy horse manure from a small boy at 4d a bucket. The other day he mentioned that the price was fid When inquiry was made, he said. “ Weil, missus, my bruwer pinched the brush, an’ this ’ere’s ’and-picked.” 9 « All arrangements are now completed for ,the field day to be held on the Milton Show Grounds next Saturday. The speakers include Professor A. G. Strong, Mrs J. F. Drake, Mr George Holmes, M.Se., B.Ag., Messrs M. A. Kinney, A. C. Cameron, and S. D. Blomfield. The demonstrators will be Mr J. B. Blair (Clydesdales). Mr A. Murray (Romneys). Mr C. T. M'Callum (pigs). The various branches of the Women’s Division in Milton and surrounding districts are attending to the hospitality, and are out to make the occasion one to be remembered. The Field Day, will commence at 11 a.m. sharp.

During the course of his remarks at the Miller’s Flat Field Day Mr C. V. Dayus, AI.R.C.V.S., remarked that fortunately sheep are relatively immune from tuberculosis, and consequently this is not a serious condition as far as mutton and lamb carcasses are concerned. In U.S.A. in one year 10,000,000 sheep were slaughtered, only 40 cases of tuberculosis being noted on inspection. Air Dayus said that he thought that there had been three cases recorded in the United Kingdom and only two in New Zealand. In the course of a wide experience he had never encountered a case of tuberculosis in sheep. * V V I had a call the other day from a prominent farmer who knew me well enough to speak quite candidly. “You are wasting your time, Cameron, arranging for speakers to visit us —we don’t want to listen to these university professors and agricultural experts—we don’t want to he educated.” “ Do you prefer to keep yourself up to date by reading? ” I inquired. “Read —why I hardly ever have time to 7 read the paper, lej, alone anything else.” This is a point of view which has to be reckoned with, but believe me, I’m not at all despondent about it. V ¥ ¥ The office-bearers of Young Farmers’ Clubs recently formed in Otago are as follows: — West Taieri.—President. Air Arthur Grant; chairman, Mr P. Titcheuer; secretary and treasurer, Air George R. Bathgate. Papakaio.—President, Mr D. Borne; chairman, Air L. Ludeman; secretary, Mr D. G. Borrie; treasurer, Air L. Gray.

Malieno. —President, Mr L. Keleher; chairman, Mr H. Souness; secretary, Mr D. Grant; treasurer, Mr G. Clark. Hilderthorpe. Chairman, Mr N. M'Clatchie; secretary, Mr A. M'Donald. Ngapara.—President, Mr J. R. M’Culloch; chairman, Mr G. Rowlands; secretary, Mr B. Rapson; treasurer, Mr J. Conlan. Lawrence. —President, Mr R. S. Thompson; chairman, Mr J. Thompson; secretary, Mr S. Girvan; treasurer, Mr R. Labes.

The Lawrence branch of the Farmers’ Union held its annual meeting in the Town Hall, Lawrence, on Saturday. Mr K, Orchiston was in the chair, and there was a very good attendance of members present to hear the president's report and to adopt a balance sheet which showed well on the credit side. The election of officers resulted as follows: President, Mr K. Orchiston; vice-presi-dents—-Messrs C. Irvine and W. Bulfln, secretary, Mr A. D. Crawford; auditor, Mr F. Robertson; committee —Messrs R. S. Thompson, R. C. Hall, G. Irvine, Bulfin, S. Young, A. D. Crawford, and K. Orchiston; delegates to Provincial Conference—Messrs K. Orchiston and A. D. Crawford; nominee for Provincial Council, Mr R. S. Thompson. . At the conclusion of the election of officers appreciation of the valuable work done bv Mr A. C. Leary for the branch was expressed. _ Members present said that in their opinion not qnly the branch, but also the union ns a whole, owed much to Mr Leary for his work on the Otago Provincial Council. Consideration of remits to the Provincial Conference was deferred to allow Mr S. D. Blomfield, of the staff of the Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association and general secretary of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs, to address the meeting. In the course of his address Mr Blomfield stressed the need for greater organisation in the farming industry both _ from the point of improved conditions in the industry itself and also to eliminate undue waste in the handling and marketing of farm produce. He pointed out the necessity to look on the union from a broader aspect as a national organisation of primary producers and not from the point of view of the local branch or from its representation of any particular section of the industry. Many farmers before joining the union looked for some direct monetary benefit, and omitted to consider the immense direct gains to the industry,., for which the union was responsible. He congratulated the farmers of Otago on building up an organisation such as the Otago Farmers’ Union Mutual Fire Insurance Association from which had developed the Farm Accounting Association of New Zealand, and which was definitely providing an exceptional service to farmers throughout tin. South Island. He went on to explain the objects of the New Zealand Federation of Young Farmers’ Clubs and to show how that movement was growing and rapidly spreading throughout Otago, Canterbury, and Southland.

As a result of his explanation of the work of the Young Farmers’ Clubs a club was formed on the spot. A hearty vote of thanks was passed by the young farmers present to Mr R. S. Thompson for a donation to the newlyformed club to pay its affiliation fees to the federation.

Merinos — Supers 60/64’s Ordinary, 60/64’s . • . Inferior, 60/64’s .. • Halfbreds — 56’s - .. .. . JSO/iifi’s .. ... .. .. d. d. , ., 20 to 22 . .. 17 i to m . .. 13J to 14J . .. i6i to m . .. 13 to 14 Crossbreds —• SO’a . .. 10 to 11 . .. 93 to 10J ■ 46/4R’h .. .’.. 8| to 93 44/46’s .. .. .. .. .. 40/44’s 36/40's .. .. .. .. • . .. 7| to 8-i 8J 8