THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22716, 31 October 1935, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

By RUSTICUS.

Items of interest to those engaged in agricultural and pastoral pursuits, with a view to their publication in these columns, will be welcomed. They should be addressed to Rusticus, Otago Daily Times, Dunedm.

FARM AND STATION NEWS

1935-36 SHOW SEASON

FORTHCOMING EVENTS Shows have been arranged for the fol- a lowing dates during the 1935-36 season:— 1935 November 1 and 2.—Timaru. November 6.—Kelso. November 7.—Ashburton. November B.—Rangiora. November 14 and 15.— Canterbury Metropolitan, at Christehurch. November 19.—Waimate. November 21 and 22—North Otago, at Qamaru. November 23.—Taien, at Outram. November 28 and 29.—Clutha and .- ' Matau, at Balclutha. •November 30.—Winton. December 3 and 4.—Gore. December 6.—Wyndham. December 7 —Tokomairiro Farmers Club, at Milton. ;December 10, 11.—Southland, at In- • ' vercargill. December 14.—Otago Peninsula, at . Postobello. 1936 January 11.—Blueskin, at Waitati. January 18.—Waikouaiti. Januarv 24—Palmerston and Waihemo. March 14.—Upper Clutha, at Pembroke. March 21.—Temuka and Geraldine, at Winchester. . April 13.—Mackenzie County, at Fair- • lie;

WOOL-SELLING SEASON

ROSTER OF SALES .The New Zealand Woolbuyers' Association lias issued the following list of sales for the 1935-36 season. The first sale Mill be held in Auckland on November 26, and the last sale at Wellington on April 5. 1935 Not. 26—Auckland. Dec. 12—Chrlstchurch. Dec. 2—Napier. • Dec. IG—Timaru. Dec. 7—Wellington. Dec. 20—Dunedln. 1936 Jan. 6—Wellington. Mar. 3—Christcliurch. Jan. 11—Napier. Mar. 6-Invercargill. Jan. 10—Wanganui. Mar. 11—Dunedln. Jan. 21—Auckland. . Mar. 16—Wellington. Jan. 2T—Chrlstchurch. Mar. 20— Napier. Jan. Mar. 24—Auckland. . Feb. s—Dunedin. Mar. 27—Wanganui. Feb. 10—Timaru. Mar. 31—Chrlstchurch. Feb. ij-MVellington. Apr. 4—Dunedin. Feb. 20—Napier. Apr. s—Wellington. Feb. 24—WaiiEnnul. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT '•Wheat" (Enfield)—Great care should . be taken in the feeding of wheat <o horses. Mix only small quantities with some bulky fodder like chart. Too much i* likely to cause gastric trouble. Italy and Wool Bv expressing the opinion that economic sanctions against Italy would not cause wool prices to fall (writes R. V. *>• »« the Australasian). I have exposed myseU to the criticism of those who are opposed to the sanction policy of the League ot Nations. Mr Kiernan, M.L.C. (Victoria;, has called me to task for suggesting, that it is improbable that the sanctions will affect wool prices adversely, a™ l >ias directed attention to the value of Italy as a buyer of wool. Unquestionably Italy has been anion,: the leading wool-buying countries, and repurchases have, helpod materially to mamtain prices in'Australia, but that Was not the point at issue. There was a fear, it is true, that the imposition ot sanctions against Italy might have a depressing market-effect, although the fear was soon dispelled. If Italian buyers had been active at recent sales here or in London, and their competition had to cease, because of sanctions, then there could be sound reasons for expecting a fall in values; but buyers for Italy had not been.operating for some time. Values were" established this season without their competition. Manufacturers in Italy have not been able to import owing to ouota- and credit difficulties. These difficulties have been in the way for more than a year, and they were increased to such an extent recently that Italy was not a factor of importance in arty of the raw wool markets of the world for some weeks before the imposition or. sanctions _ was suggested. So. under these conditions, it was not unreasonable to assume that prices would not be forced down by the sanctions. Australian Sales

Wool rates have been hardening for about a'fortnight. In Sydney last week there was an. advance of 5 per cent, lor good and super merinoes, and at other selling centres values were brought into line with Sydney. .The best wools are at about parity with the opening rates ct the season early in September, and are at very satisfactory levels. Coarse to medium crossbreds and some oddments are still in an unsatisfactory position, but the bulk of the wools grown in Australia are firm. Last week about 100,000 bales of wool were offered at different centres, and with the exception of Adelaide, very good clearances were made. Pasture Utilisation and Ensilage During November and December one of the greatest weaknesses in our pasture management very commonly develops. This weakness lies in the production ot flowering or coarse growth. Leafy pasture growth as a rule provides a highly suitable feed for milking stock and for animals which are growing rapidly, whereas the stemmy or wooay character that develops in flowering or coarse growth results in markedly poor feed for such stock. Leafy growth is characterised by a relatively high content of mineral matter which is required for the formation of milk and of bone, and a similarly high content of protein which is essential for the formation of milk and flesh. Further, k-afv growth is much mere digestible than stemmy growth-about 801 b out of each lOoTb of the dry matter of leafy growth is digestible, whereas only from 401 b to 501 b out of each 1001 b of the dry mattei of stemmy growth is digestible And that Portion of the dry matter which is not digested is of no direct service in nutrition Further, pastures which are allowed to become tall and stemmy in the first nortion of the summer assume a relatively inactive condition during a considerable aid critical portion of the producing season—i.e., during late summer and early autumn—whereas pastures in which the flowering stage has not been allowed to develop to any great extent tend to produce leafy feed more continuously and in Greater amounts during the critical period provided the growth on them is not too short at the advent of that period. Condition of Pasture* The condition of the pastures at the bediming of October suggests that this year the task of effecting the best practicable utilisation of pastures will not call toi attention as early as iti»ually docs—in normal years between October and the end of the year on almost all tarms devoted principally to butter-fat or to lat lamb production the effective utilisation of pasture growth is likely to be an acute problem. If this problem has not been

anticipated it is at times difficult to deal with it satisfactorily, but, fortunately, it it has been anticipated suitably, then the timely taking of easy measures gives good results. On a great number of farms the key to the problem is ensilage. ±he work of ensilage is likely to be lightened greatly by intelligent preparation for important phases—for some of this preparation there is still ample time. Preparation for Ensilage

A main objective of the preparation for ensilage should be elimination of tedious avoidable labour—in this the provision of conveniently located trenches or pits is of great value. In the leading grass-farming districts there has been a significant increase during recent years in the number of trenches. This is because suitable locations for trenches, which are really modified shallow pits, can be found on most farms. Drainage is not of special moment in the sites of trenches, but naturally a really badly drained site should be avoided. Trenches usually can be made readily and cheaply with horse labour. Further, not only do they reduce the labour of handling the heavy green material, but they allow ot its being compacted so well by trampling, etc., that the eventual wastage is reduced so much that it becomes virtually negligible.

Fireblight During the coming month fruitgrowers should be on the alert for the appearance of fireblight infection. Late-flowering varieties of both apples and pears should be closely watched lor blossom infection, laifected'blossoms become discoloured and banc on to the tree, gradually turning brown, and then black. Through lireblight being carried by bees and other insects infection may be rapid at this stage and the loss of crop severe. _ Following blossom infection the tips of the laterals may become infected, This condition is characterised by the infected tips curling and gradually turning biae.c. Infected material should be removed and destroyed with as litle delay as possible. In cases where the cause of the death ot portions of the tree is not known, specimens should be submitted to the. local orchard instructor for examination. Frost Protection In districts where heating for frost protection is carried out, growers would be well advised in a year such as this, where the occurrence of late frosts is likely, not to gather in the fire-pots until late into the season. Lucerne The great value of a successful field of lucerne warrants the utmost endeavour to secure the best possible results. A hue, linn seed-bed is required for fully successful establishment of lucerne. Kapid and vigorous development of the seedlings, which contributes greatly to eventual complete success, is favoured by warmth, and, because of this need of warmth, sowing during the latter part of November or in December generally gives good results. It is good practice to sow, through every coulter of the grain drill, from 12ib to 181 ban acre of seed of Maryborough origin. A greater amount of seed is needed when the seed-bed is relatively poor. Alternatively the seed may be broadcast ana covered by light harrowing. As a rule, lime may be applied with advantage before the finai cultivation preceding seed-sowing. Treatment of the seed with a suitable culture is advisable in order to ensure the presence of specific organisms, upon the activity of which the ultimate success of lucerne depends. Cultures supplying these organisms are obtainable at a small cost from the Department of Agriculture Mangel-growing The mangel has outstanding valuable characteristics which warrant a great increase in the acreage devoted to it in New Zealand. It is particularly dependable, not only because during dry seasons it fares better than most other alternative crops, but also because it is not subject to- any serious disease: occasional serious losses due to a rot have oeen noted, but these truly are excsptioiial and can be avoided. The mangel yields heavily if suitably treated: yields cf from 50 to 60 tons an acre are obtained over wide areas, and the crop is nutritious. It is of practical importance that if not suitably treated the mangel is likely to give disappointing results. Poor preparatory cultivation may readily limit the yield of the crop. Judging from fielo experience, the variety Prizewinner Yellow Globe deserves its current popularity, which is based on its yield. Other varieties also, such as Bed Intermediate and Golden Globe, have been, giving good results. The mangel generally responds profitably to liberal manuring: a dressing of scwt an acre or more is frequently justified, and a mixture consisting principally of superphosphate and blood and bone dust in equal parts may be used with confidence. It is standard practice to sow about Clb of seed an acre in rows from 26in to 28in apart, but dome recent evidence suggests that somewhat closer rows mav be advisable when the rainfall and the fertility favour heavy yields. Wet, cold conditions readily cause poor strikes, and the date of sowing sometimes is too early, so that some delay in sowing to obtain warmer soil conditions is often advisable. Over wide areas November sowing is generally suitable. Between now and time of sowing, preparatory cultivation, to provide a good tilth and to maintain a loose surface layer of 6oil in o_rder to minimise loss of soil moisture by evaporation, is likely to be very valuable. The need of conserving soil moisture as much as possible may be gauged from the fact that the equivalent of 30in to 40in of rainfall passes through the leaver of a crop yielding from 60 tons to 80 tons to the acre. Field Carrots On free-working loams the field carrot is capable of heavy yields. Success generally attends sowing in November. Good results mav be expected from a manuriai dressing of from 3cwt to scwt an acre of mixture consisting of 2 parts of superphosphate and 1 part blood and bone. Varieties which have been popular for many vears are Matchless White, Barriball. White Belgian and Guerande. Guerande, which is a very suitable variety for sheep or pigs, is grown successfully, without thinning, in rows from 21in to 20in apart. l|lb of 6eed an acre being used. With other varieties good results frequently are obtained by hand thinning and cultivating carrots sown in rows from 21in to 26in apart, but sowing in 14in | drills also gives heavy yields. *

THE TURNIP CROP

meeting of the year when Dr Pitts gave a lecture on "Wounds and Their Treatment.'' This proved a successful conclusion to the series of meetings held during the year.

Mr T. A. Duncan, chairman of the New Zealand Meat Producers' Board, will address meetings of farmers at Balclutha on Friday, November 8, at 3.30 p.m., and at Waikouaiti at 8.30 p.m. on the same date. The meetings have been arranged by the Otago Provincial Council, New Zealand Farmers Union, and are open to all farmers.

* * * A meeting of the Palmerston Young Farmers' Club was held recently when onr» new member was elected. Mr J. Preston gave an address on " 1< arming m General" during the course of which he gave many useful hints on the care and management of farm animals. It was decided to invite Mr James Begg to give a lecture at the next meeting of the club. , . * * * The field day arranged by the Palmerston and Waikouaiti Young Jbarmers Clubs for Thursday last had to be postponed on account of the wet weather. It was very disappointing alter all the lime and trouble spent in completing the details, but the disappointment in that respect was largely offset by the knowledge of the immense amount of good the rain would be to the parched countryx * * What do I consider the nearest approximation to happiness of which the present human nature is capable' Why, living on a farm which is ones own, tar from the hectic artificial conditions ot the city—a farm where one gets directly from one's own soil what one needs to sustain life, with a garden in front and a healthv, normal family to contribute those small social joys which relieve a man from business strain. —Edison. ;<; >; ; A The Stirling Young Farmers' Club's October meeting was well attended, aud one new member, Mr J. Selzberger, was welcomed. It was decided to approach the A. and P. Society with a view to assisting their work by providing stewards to act with the various judges. Ihe resignation of the treasurer, Mr R. Anderson, was received owing to his leaving the district shortly, and it was resolved that the offices of secretary and treasurer be combined. The Milton branch of the Farmers' Union and the Women's Division of the New Zealand Farmers' Union will hold their next meeting on Tuesday, November 5 at 8 p.m. in the Bruce Council Chambers. It is hoped there will be a good attendance of members'. It is of interest to know that the work ot the organising• secretary of the farmers' Union, Mr S. D. Blomfield, .e appreciated beyond the province. lha reports submitted by Mr Blomfield to headquarters have been passed on to organisers in other centres with the object of giving a lead to the type of work which will prove of benefit in stimulating interest and in making branches definite centres of activity in their respective areas. When the deputation arranged by the Otago Provincial Council waited on the Railways Board last week, the acting chairman, Sir James Gunson, gave a very definite assurance with regard to the repair of railway fences. He stated that where damage was caused through sparke from engines or through the acts of railway servants, the department?would repair the damage fully, and further, that where there was doubt as to the original cause, the farmer would obtain the benefit of the doubt. At the same deputation Sir James Gunsou, in referring to the c>aim made by Mr Lee that the farmers were th e best customers of the railways, took the opportunity of making an appeal for still greater support. He went on to say that although the majority of the farmers loyally supported the railways, there was a small minority who took advantage of the cheap rates offered on heavy goods under class E, and then went over to th" opposition when goods of a more payable type were concerned. As the railways were run for the benefit of the community as a whole, he appealed to that small minority to give their full support in order that the loss made on heavy goods could be made up.

A supply of a booklet giving a concise explanation of the Rural Mortgagors Final Adjustment Act, 1934-1935, and the Mortgage Corporation of New Zealand Act, 1934-35, has been received from the Dominion office of the New Zealand Farmers Union. Sufficient copies have been forwarded to all branch secretaries so that every financial member may obtain one and members who have not received a copy should apply to their secretary at the earliest opportunity. The information contained in the booklet should prove of the utmost interest, and the Dominion office is to be commended in its eftorts to make these generally available to members.

SOILS AND FERTILISER Soils for turnips in general should contain a good content of lime. Soifs deficient in lime favour the onset of club root disease; they also favour quick growing, smothering weeds. The nature of the soil exerts a great influence on the growing as well as the feeding quality of the roots. If the soil lacks lime the application of a dressing reacts favourably on the yield of roots per acre. Many farmers in South Otago are recognising the importance of the above, and it is considered that before many seasons have passed liming ploughed lea will become standard practice. In general, the best results are obtained if the lime is applied approximately three months before sowing, although some farmers apply just before sowing and seem to get results. Correct manuring is most important, and the study of up-to-date methods is essential if success is to be obtained. The turnip crop is particularly dependent on a supply of phosphate, which stimulates root development and rapid growth. Potash is also necessary, though to a-far less extent than phosphate. The lesser need for nitrogenous manures is due to the fact that nitrification is actively encouraged by inter-tillage between the rows during the growing season. It is considered that excessive applications of nitrogenous manures produces watery roots of low feeding value and keeping quality. Greater interest during the last few years has been taken in the use of reverted phosphate for turnip growing. Splendid results have been secured from the 'use of this low-priced product, particularly in Otago and Southland. Turnip crops were protected during germination, and excellent strikes secured, followed by a long, healthy growth of the crop. Experiments conducted last season showed that phosphatic guanos were in no way superior to reverted phosphate; in fact, it was clearly demonstrated that the guano could be substituted by the cheaper reverted phosphate. Reverted phosphate is particularly suited for turnip manuring in areas where club root is prevalent. The main points to be observed in turnip growing are: — 1. Lime soil that is to be used for turnip growing. . 2. Select a variety suitable to the soil condition. - , . , 3. Use an adequate amount of high quality seed. A slightly, heavier sowing makes certain of the strike. 4. Manure as liberally as possible with reverted phosphate or anti-club root turnip mixtures having reverted phosphate bases. „ , 5. Open the front box of the turnip ridger as much as possible and sow the bulk of the manure through there. A small quantity only is necessary with the seed. ___^___ - _______-.