THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 22720, 5 November 1935, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS.

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

1935-36 SHOW SEASON FORTHCOMING EVENTS Shows have been arranged for the following dates during the 1935-36 season: 1935 November 6. —Kelso. November 7.—Ashburton. November B.—Rangiora. November 14 and 15— Canterbury Metropolitan, at Christchurch. November 19.— Waimate. November 21 and 22—North Otago, at Oamaru. . " November 23. —Taien, at Outratn. 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 Invercargill. „ . , December 14—Otago, Peninsula, Portobello. 1936 January 31.—Blueskin, at Waitati. January 18. —Waikouaiti. January 24.—Palmerston and Waiherao. March 14. —Upper Clutha, at Pembroke. March 21.—Temuka and Geraldine, at ■ Winchester. April 13.—Mackenzie County, at hairlie.

WOOL-SELLING SEASON ROSTER OF SALES The New Zealand Woolbuyers' Association has issued the following; list of sales for the 1935-36 season. The first sale will be held in Auckland on November 26,. .and the last sale at Wellington on April 5. 1935 Nov. 28—Auckland. Dec. 12—Christchurch. Dec. 2—Napier. Dec. 16—Tiraaru. Dec. 7—Wellington. Dec. 20—Dunedin. 1936 * Jan. 6—Wellington. Mar. 3—Christchurch. Jan. ll—Napier. Mar. 6-^Xnvorcarglll. Jan. 16—Wanganui. Mar. 11—Dunedin. Jan. 21—Auckland. Mar. 16—Wellington. Jan. 27—Christchurch. Mar. 20—Napier. Jan. 31—Invercargill. Mar. 24—Auckland. Feb.' s—Dunedin. Mar. 27—Wanganui. Feb. 10—Timaru. Mar. 31—Christchurch. Feb. 15— Wellington. Apr. 4—Dunedin. Feb. 20—Napier. Apr. s—Wellington. Feb. 24—Wanganui. v

Returning to Otago According to a well-known Otago breeder of Clydesdale horses, the stallion Whare Puni Desire, originally exported to Australia from New Zealand, is back in the Dominion and will be seen in the show-ring at the leading shows in Otago and Southland this year.

Valuable Rains Some valuable rains have been experienced in both northern and southern districts during the past 10 days, and it would be difficult to estimate their value to the province. Cereal crops were beginning to show signs of too much dry weather have come away in great style, particularly oats and pastures are looking very much better. In South Otago the ridges and spurs of hilly and undulating country were getting very brown and bare looking,-but with so much warmth in the ground the grass simply shot away a s soon as the rains came, so that at the’ present -time,/ although many farmers would be happier with a good deal more feed#., the position is a great deal less acute;’: Lambing Seaton

Lambing is practically over, and most sheep farmers nave had good percentages. There has been almost a complete absence of deaths due to bad weather. It ie reasonable to expect a certain amount of pulpy kidney during the next month or six weeks, but it is possible that the trouble will not be as widespread this season as it usually is. The supposed main reason is that lambs are too well fed.- There has not been too much feed by any means this season and there is not an over-flush now, so that cause cannot play its customary part. Pulpy kidney usually takes the biggest lambs and very often where there is the best of feed. A cure that has official recommendation is to keep the lambs and ewes moving and actually to put them on to poorer feed. Dairy Herds

There are still many very thin cows about, but they are now beginning to put on condition. Herds that were wintered well are producing satisfactorily, but it is doubtful if there is yet any marked improvement in,the others. It standi? to reason that a cow has to build up in condition as well as to provide for the drain on the system consequent upon lactation.

“ Worst on Record " Information from Gisborne is to the effect that the recent lambing season will probably, prove to. be one of the worst on record. Percentages on an average are expected to be very little more than 70, and the average is generally about 87. In the Wairoa district it was expected that some percentages would be as low as 30 per cent. One big station it is understood will have no surplus ewes to sell this year, as the loss of lambs will have to be replaced by an increased mating of ewes. The belief is held that' the main cause of the poor lambing was the prevalence of the disease known as facial eczema when the ewes were mated. The dis-

ease commenced to show up in February, following three weeks of continuous rain, and the ewes showed the effects of the trouble for some weeks after. Apparently the trouble is singular to country with a heavy rainfall, and it has been serious this season in the Manawatu.

Rain in Southland The rains of last week-end were a blessing to Southland and this week has been a good growing one. Oat crops which were very backward 10 days ago, Lave shot away and pasture growth has come on very well indeed. Most of the turnip ground has now been worked up, and the countryside could do with some more rain yet. All districts appear to have recovered fairly well now so far as the feed situation is concerned. Wool Freights

The current rates of freight on wool from Australia aud elsewhere to the United Kingdom are as follows: Australia. —Greasy, lid per lb, plus 5 per cent, less 10 per cent., or 1.063 d per lb net; scoured, l|d per lb, plus 5 per cent, less 10 per cent., or 1.299 d net. New Zealand. —Greasy, 15-16 d per lb, plus 10 per cent, primage, less 5 per cent, rebated, or .984 d net. Argentina.—Greasy, 15s per 40 cubic feet, equal to 3-16 d per lb pressed wool; scoured the same. South Africa. —Greasy, id per lb; scoured, |d per lb, both net, rates applying to exporters who bind themseivcs to ship by conference lines. Freights on wool by Japanese shipping lines to Japan are |d per lb for greasy and scoured for wool above a certain standard: the rate on second pieces, clothing wools, bellies, Ipcks, and crossbred wools is 36 counts and under, 9-16 d per lb.

South Canterbury Seaton The welcome rain early last week came in time to save what was, rapidly becoming a seridus state of affairs for South Canterbury. Pastures were languishing for the want of moisture, growth was at a standstill, and the feed position was most serious. While winter-sown crops were holding their own, spring crops, on the other hand, were in a parlous condition. The frequent nor’-westers dried the surface of the ground, and had the rain held off much longer many of the spring crops would have been doomed to failure. As by a magic wand the position has changed. The countryside has again adopted a springlike appearance, and owing to the warmth of the ground crops and grass are coming away rapidly. Sufficient rain has fallen to meet requirements and providing normal conditions prevail the season might yet be a good one. Prospects for lamb, wool, and dairy produce are looking brighter than for some time, but these will he of little benefit if the clerk of th c weather plays tricks with the farmer. Friesian Production

Fendalton Pansy Porch 3rd, a five-year-old pedigree Friesian at present being tested on C.O.R. by Royds and Williams in their “Awarima ” herd at Five Rivers, has the remarkably high average test to date of 5.31 per cent., wlucn easily exceeds the present record high average test for the breed of 4.95 per cent., held by Waipipi Duchess. It is not surprising to find_ Fendalton Pansy Posch 3rd testing so high, as she comes of high-testing ancestors. She is sired by- Netherland Pietevtje of Bainfield, whose' dam, Westraere Princes Pietertje, 9391 b fat at four years had an average test of 3.89 per cent., while her dam is Bainfield Pansy 3rd, holder of a C.O.R. of 609.341 b fat as a junior two-year-old, who had an average test of 4.1 per cent. Bainfield Pansy 3rd is also a maternal sister of Oakwood Topsy, 0931 b fat—average test 4.18 per cent., the foundation cow of a very high-testing strain. Fendalton Pansy Posch 3rd is also a splendid advertisement for line breeding, she being a double grand-daughter of Rosevale King Sylvia, while both her sire and dam are descended from Allah, a pure Dutch blood sire imported fiom .New South Wales. . ~ Fendalton Pansy Posch 3rd. during the 241 days she has been on C.O.R. test, has produced 7632.31 b milk and 40a.421 o fat to the end of August. If Royds and Williams’s cow experiences the normal rise in test toward the end of her lactation period, she should set a new record which will stand for many years to come.

Case for Food Subsidies "The State is justified on economic grounds,” said Sir John Orr, at the British Association meetings, in putting in money to oil the wheels of our economic system and speed up internal trade. Making agriculture prosperous' and helping it to expand is one of the most profitable methods of increasing national prosperity. All the money going to the farmer nows hack immediately to the towns, stimulates industries, and reduces unemployment. On the other hand, the improvement in physique and reduction in disease which would follow (from his scheme to keep down food prices by subsidies) would reduce expenditure on social and health services. The next five years should be devoted to a great constructive policy based on increased consumption and better utilisation of our wealth, a policy designed to bring about a prosperous agriculture, a better-fed people, and increased internal trade. Rapid progress along the lines which make for a higher standard or living is economically sound. It is probably the surest way of maintaining the present economic system, because it destroys the cause and the excuse for attacks on it.

ROYAL AGRICULTURAL SOCIETY REVIEW OF PAST YEAR MUCH PROGRESS MADE • PRESIDENT’S ANNUAL REPORT The following is the anual report of the president of the Royal Agricultural Society, Mr L. J. Wild, which was submitted to the annual general meeting of the society held in Hastings recently:— A good deal of progress has been made since our meeting, not the least important being the affiliation of 18 further associations. I have not bo tar had so much travelling to do, and this is a sign of a better understanding of the aims and objects of the Royal Agricultural Society throughout the Dominion. I have, however, made visits to Hawera, Levin, and Masterton. and one to Hastings to meet the committee of the Hawke’s Bay Society in connection with the arrangements for the present Royal Show. The amendments to the rules suggested at the annual meeting, together with others that appear to be necessary, have been considered by the Executive Committee and circulated among members, agricultural and pastoral associations, and breed societies. It was not found necessary to bold the proposed meeting with the executive of the North Island Conference, as that body met and decided to go into recess. It is hoped and expected that the Royal Agricultural Society will be able to carry out all the functions heretofore undertaken by tlie North Island Conference, and that means a definite job for each district council. It would appear to be desirable that a general meeting of representatives of all agricultural and pastoral associations in the combined eastern and western districts should he held at Palmerston North at the time of the National Dairy Show in June. The Northern District Council has already decided, and the two councils in the South Island arc recommended to convene similar conferences in their respective districts at suitable times and

FUTURE OF WOOL

places. The various executives should take up at once the matter of allocation of show dates for the season, a joint meeting of executives being desirable in the cage of the eastern and western districts which have a more or less continuous circuit. WORK FOR COUNCILS. Other activities that may and should be undertaken by district councils have been outlined in an article in Gazette No. 8, I cannot emphasise too strongly that there is work to be done by the district councils, and scope for initiative and enterprise on the part of their executives and secretaries. This council, through the medium of the gazette and otherwise, will do its part to assist. But decentralisation can _be a success only if energy and initiative are shown in the decentralised controlling bodies. The matter of the drafting of by-laws for licensing of showmen, which function was taken over ' from the North Island conference, has advanced slowly hut surely, and the end is now in sight. The difficulties were far greater than was anticipated. Another drive is being made to enroll all agricultural and pastoral associations as affiliated members, and in this district councils can assist. All the major associations are now in, but some of the minor onea are still outside the fold. Associations may be assured that it is not their 'money that wc want, but wc want their co-operation with ns and we want them to have such assistance as a strong national body can undoubtedly give both directly and indirectly. The gazette is at the service of agricultural and pastoral associations for the circulation of their notices and news. It has also been used for the publication of special articles for the benefit of members. The current issue, for example, contains an article by Mr Beslie, veterinarian at Lincoln College, on round worm control in sheep, and one by Mr Haclfield of Idle Plant Research Institute, which is a survey of the methods and results in securing better crops and better seeds over the past five years. The Executive Committee recently confirmed an arrangement by which associations may take out through the Royal Society a Public Trust risk policy in connection with their shows at an advantageous premium as compared with rates offered to associations acting alone. The executive has also offered a prize of 20 guineas for an essay on “Problems of Wool-growing in Now Zealand” It is hoped that this will encourage study of the question by competent persons, and yield for us some useful material for publication in the Gazette and dissemination among members. OTHER ACTIVITIES.

I am convinced that the Royal Agricultural Society has yet more to do for the industry that merely getting behind the association, which, for the time being, is given the privilege and •responsibility of organising the Royal Show. Some avenues of activity in other directions have been opened up in the past 12 months; others will be explored in the future. Meantime we want more and more members —the number should be counted in thousands rather than in hundreds.

of the council will have noted that in Gazette No. 6 containing the report of your last annual meeting and coil; ference a clean sweep was made of the Order Paper in that the Ministerial replies were given in the case of all remits calling for such. The replies show, too, that something has been done, as, for example, in the matter of further investigation of the diamond back moth; in regard to legal process in sheep-stealing cases and so on. I regret, however, that in spite of repeated representation, personal and otherwise, I have not yet had a definite reply in regard to the restoration of a Government grant to the society. I am sure this council will desire to be associated with me in congratulating the Hawke’s Bay Agricultural and Pastoral Society on the success that is attending their efforts to make the twelfth Royal Show a notable one. Their members have appreciated this council’s assistance by themselves, sparing neither time nor trouble. Nature has richly endowed their province; their committee has provided a wonderful showground for the show; and from what I hear and observe their people will to-day as yesterday respond with their patronage and their interest in the magnificent exhibition of live stock of all kinds which the breeders and studmasters of thc Dominion have here assembled.

SCIENTIFIC VIEWPOINT An interesting lecture ‘on “ Wool — from the Scientific Point of View,” was delivered by Professor A. T. King, of Leeds University, at a meeting of Huddersfield Rotarians. Speaking of the elasticity of wool, he said that the long’ehain molecules of the fibres were extruded from the follicle or fibre-root through a restricted orifice and against the resistance of the hardened fibre-substance.s already formed. The chains became buckled, so to speak, into a concertina-like formation, and buckled to such an extent that the fibre might be stretched —if this was done while the material was wet —to approximately twice its original length, and would go back again to its original length. If a means could be devised of spinning artificial silk which would buckle the molecules in similar fashion the filament could be stretched like wool, hut it was unlikely that it would go back again. The long chain of the wool molecules had side chains which linked up with those of adjacent chains to form a number of tie-bands which resisted the extension and pulled hack the long chains to their former position when the stretching force was removed.

It was this property of stretching and contracting which provided the great variety of finishes unique to wool fabrics. The scales that projected from the fibre surface all pointed towards the tip of the fibre, so that if a fibre was rubbed lengthwise between the thumb and finger it would “ creep ” root-end foremost', just as a wheat ear would up the sleeve if inserted stalk-end foremost. Thug a fibre in becoming stretched might slide past other fibres, hut would tend to pull them in with it as it contracted again. As to the possibilities that remained of exploiting wool, the professor said that the sheep could provide an abundance of raw material for new developments, and with the strides made of late towards elucidating the constitution of the fibre, wool as a chemical gave promise of new departures in finish at least as wide as could be held out by any other textile material. The day of improving wool for specific purposes and novelty effects was measurably nearer, he believed.