THE RURAL WORLD

Otago Daily Times, Issue 23527, 16 June 1938, Page 3

THE RURAL WORLD

FARM AND STATION NEWS

By RUSTICUS.

Item* of interest to t!hose 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, Dunedin.

OTAGO SHEEP DOG ASSOCIATION TRIAL DATES FOR 1938 Sheep dog trials under the auspices of the Otago Provincial Sheep Dog Association, together with Otago, Can terbury, and South Island championships fixtures have been arranged as follows: Kuriwao (Otago championships).June 16, 17, 18, Warepa (South Island championships) —June 20. 21, 22, 23, 24. 25. Tuapeka.—June 28, 29, and 30. 1938-39 WOOL SEASON ROSTER OF SALE DATES The following roster of sale dates for the 1938-39 season has been drawn up by the New Zealand Wool Committee:— November 26 (9 a.m.).—Auckland. December 2 (9 a.m.).—Napier. December 7 (9 a.m.).—Wellington, December 12 (9 a.m.),—Christchurch. December 16 (8 a.m.).—Timaru. December 20 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. January 9 (9 a.m.).—Wellington. January 14 (9 a.m.).—Napier. January 19 (9 a.m.) .—Wanganui. January 24 (9 a.m.).—Auckland. January 30 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch, February 3 (2 p.m.).—lnvercargill. February 8 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. February 15 (9 a.m.).—Wellington. February 20 (9 a.m.).—Napier. February 24 (2.30 p.m.).—Wanganui. March 3 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch. March 7 (8 a.m.).—Timaru. March 11 (2 p.m.).—lnvercargill. March 16 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. March 23 (9 a.m.).—Wellington. March 27 (9 a.m.).—Auckland. Match 30 (2.30 p.m.).—Wanganui April 3 (9 a.m.).—Napier. April 14 (9 a.m.).—Christchurch. April 19 (9 a.m.).—Dunedin. April 24 (9 a.m.).—Wellington.

INTEREST OFFICIAL

A great deal depends in this life on the point of view. A man was charged with bigamy for the fifth time, and was sternly asked by the judge what he did it for. “Well, sir,” he replied, “I was merely trying to find a good wife.” * * HBest wishes for a pleasant and profitable holiday are extended to Mr and Mrs Arthur Grant, Gladfleld, Outram, who left this week for a trip to the Old Country. Mr Grant has been a prominent member of the Otago Provincial Executive for some years past, as well as acting as their representative on the Wheat Electoral Committee. where his services in the interests of wheatgrowers have been greatly appreciated. Mrs Grant, too, has also taken her share in Women’s Division affairs, and her counsel will be greatly missed during her absence.

The first of the root crop competitions took place on Tuesday at Inch Clutha, when there were 12 entries in the swede class and 10 in the mangels class. This must be considered a very good response, as the weather conditions have not been favourable for the best results. This year the turnips are to be weighed without tops, in order to give those who have had the tops eaten off a chance of competing on an equal footing. The placings will be announced later.

The Provincial Conference is now a thing of the past, and will be looked back on as one of the most interesting of recent years. It was particularly fortunate that Mr W. W. Mulholland. Dominion president, was able to hiake it convenient to be present, and his address on the opening day will be long remembered. It was also a pleasure to welcome Mr W. Horrobin, Dominion treasurer, and many other representatives from the other provincial executives. The outstanding discussion centred round the proposed alteration of the subscription, and the decision tp put into effect one based on a sliding scale, according to capital valuation, appeared to meet with general approval. The new executive are to consider the matter fully at a special meeting to be held on Thursday. June 23, when the whole position will be thoroughly gone into. If the new arrangement leads to a more stable financial position, it will certainly relieve the executive of the anxiety which has been felt in that respect for the last few years.

* * v The following paragraph appears in the May issue of the National Farmers’ Union Record:—

“The departure of Mr A. W. Street from the Ministry of Agriculture leaves a gap which it will be difficult to fill All those acting on behalf of organised producers in this country whose duties bring them into constant touch with the Ministry of Agriculture and Fisheries Bill will woefully miss the genial presence of the department’s second secretary and erstwhile head of the marketing division. They will always remember how Mr Street was ever ready to place his services at their disposal for advice in cases of difficulty and the extraordinary extent to which, by his ability and tact, he was able to find a happy solution to many a knotty problem submitted to him. The Air Ministry’s gain Is agriculture’s loss, but none will grudge Mr Street this recognition of his outstanding ability.” Overseas listeners will also regret Mr Street’s transfer, as his broadcasts have been listened to by many with the greatest of interest.

The following are final resolutions passed by the 'British Empire Producers’ Conference, held recently in Sydney:— 1. That this conference accepts the Ottawa “ order of preference." i.e., that the local producer is entitled to first place in his local market, other Empire producers second place, and foreign producers third. 2. That this conference accepts the need for securing the expansion of dominion supplies of primary products to the United Kingdom markets so far as is economically possible. 3. That this conference accepts the need for orderly marketing of Empire primary products in order to maintain continuity of supplies and to prevent avoidable gluts and resultant instability of price levels and speculation.

4. Accordingly, this conference recommends that Empire producers’ organisations shall co-operate to establish such commodity councils as may be deemed necessary, producer-con-trolled and financed, the representation thereon being on the lines of the Empire Beef Council and International Beef Conference set up under the (U.K.) Live Stock Industry Act, 1.937, and the decision of which, to be effective, shall be unanimous. 5. That it shall be the duty of such councils where established to assist in and advise their constituent organisations with reference to such regulation of the flow of supplies of primary products to the United Kingdom market as may be necessary—for example, to avert restrictive action under Statute by the United Kingdom Government it being understood that for purposes of the regulation of supplies full use shall be made of all existing producers’ export organisations in the dominions.” 6. That this conference recommends that each and every Commodity Council as and when established shall take all necessary steps to institute a continuing survey of conditions affecting available supplies and markets in Imperial and foreign countries, and in consultation with Empire Ministers shall take the necessary action to secure the expansion of existing and the creation of new markets with the object of the absorption of Empire surpluses. It is interesting to note that the above resolutions were moved by Mr W. W. Mulholland, who with the other New Zealand delegates were conspicuous at the conference, and seconded by Mr M. P. Dunlop. M.L.C., general president of the Primary Producers’ Union, New South Wales. HYDATID DISEASE NOT SPREAD BY RABBITS * COMMENT BY SIR LOUIS BARNETT At the recent Winter Show ol the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society there was amongst the exhibits a comprehensive display illustrating hydatid disease and its prevention. This vvas staged by the Medical School in association with Mr C. V. Dayus, of the Veterinary Department, and created much interest and inquiry " There was one point in particular that occasioned surprise and doubt.” writes Sir Louis Barnett from Hamp den. “ I refer to the statement, emphatic and quite true, that rabbits play no part in .the spread of hydatid disease.” “ Everyone, every country dweller at any rate, has probably seen cysts or water bladders in the insides of rabbits, especially in the muscles and in the liver These are popularly regarded as hydatid cysts, and it is thought that they must render the carcass of the rabbit unwholesome and liable to cause hydatid infection in the dog or human being that feeds on it. This is an error. It is true that these cysts in the rabbit are also of parasitic origin, but they are not hydatids. They belong to a different family and take no part in the spread of hydatid tapeworms to dogs, or of cysts to human beings and farm animals.” It is, of course, reasonable to conclude that if these cysts are parasitic in nature they will cause some trouble if eaten, and therefore to be on the safe side human beings should not eat rabbits as food. This, too. is an error.

because cooking removes all danger of infection, and no one eats raw rabbit. Even if he did. it could not give him hydatid disease. Stewed rabbit or rabbit pie, or rabbit cooked in any good way, can be safely eaten and thoroughly enjoyed. NEW ZEALAND FARMERS' TOUR COMPREHENSIVE AND INTERESTING SANDRINGHAM AND LYDNEY (From Our Own Correspondent) (By Air Mail) LONDON, May 28. In the Overseas Farmers’ Escorted Tours of Europe for 1938 there are 22 New Zealanders and 42 South Africans. Messrs T. Cook and Son have arranged another of their valuable and comprehensive itineraries, covering Great Britain and Europe. All who wish will go to Epsom to witness the Derby; the same night the party will leave for Havre en route for Paris, At Cagny, a visit will be paid to the farm property of M, Henri Philippe, one of the most beautiful in the whole Caen district, and one where beet culture occupies an important place This farmer is regarded as among the most eminent practical agriculturists, From Paris, notable centres to he inspected include the National Sheep Stud Farm at Rambouillet, dating from 1786. Comparisons of wool from every country in the world are kept specially for study and it is remarked that with all the inbreeding that has taken place in 150 years the flock can still show very fine samples of wool. At Versailles there is the Horticultural College of France. The gardens at the Palace of Versailles are the work of the college students and the Presidents of France are also supplied with vegetables and flowers from the same source. The.journey through rural France from Paris to Montreux will be enjoyed. A visit will be paid to the Gruyere cheese factory, entirely modern, at the Chatel St. Denis. The total milk available is nearly 4,000,0001 b per annum; a proportion is used in cheesemaking and a portion is set aside for butter. From Montreux there will be the Bermese Oberland route for Interlaken and Brienz, where the Agricul tural School will be shown. Lucerne will be another centre for sight-seeing and for dairy factory inspection. The party goes to Munich. Nureni berg, Wiesbaden, Cologne, via the Rhine, Brussels, Amsterdam, Beemster district, and the reclaimed land of the Zuyder Zee, to Leeuwarden, in the midst of Holland’s agricultural area. There visits will be paid to butter ,nd cheese centres as well as to model cattle breeding and dairy farms. After Hamburg the party goes to Denmark, for Copenhagen, where the typical Danish farm of Mr S. J. Sorensen, at Glostrup, will be inspected. At Fred erikssund there is a well-known bacon factory to see, pig farms, and the State Experimental Dairy near Hillerod England will be reached again on July 1, on which day there will be a reception luncheon at the Trocadero. Then, next day, the travellers will set out on a 23-day motor-coach tour through England and Scotland. The tour includes a drive to Aldenham, to Inspect Mr J. Pierpont Morgan’s pedi gree stock farm; then Oxford, Cheltenham and Gloucester. At Lydney Park, Lord Bledisloe’s Agent (Mr H. McLaren) and his farm manager (Mr W. Hay) will receive the party Lord Bledisloe is away in Central Africa as chairman of the Rhodesia-Nyassa-land Royal Commission. WHAT LYDNEY OFFERS The visitors will be shown Lord Bledisloe’s pedigree herd of Red Polls, Including the stock bull, “Hyders Tenderfoot." This animal has been first prize winner at the Royal Agricultural Show, Sussex County and Oxfordshire County: first reserve champion, Bath and West Show, and first reserve champion, Royal Counties. He is considered one of the best Red Poll bulls in the country. In addition will be seen the big herd of Large White pigs, with its equipment of a Danish pig house accommodating about 600 pigs; its grain silo and little grinding mill for the purpose of feeding them, and the well-equipped cheese dairy, which provides a noted stores in London with some of their best Cheddar cheese. On July 0 the tourists will be the guests of the Royal Agricultural Society’s ninety-seventh annual show, to take place at Cardiff. The party will be officially received at the Show Ground. Worcester, with its cathedral, its Royal Porcelain Works, and its museum, will be enjoyed on the way to Evesham and Campden, where the Fruit and Vegetable Preservation Research Station will be seen. This is the centre of the fruit and vegetable canning industry of England. Campden is one of the most attractive of the old Cotswold towns, which were famous when wool was exported from England to the Continent. The Shakespeare country will be seen, also Leamington, Birmingham, Wolverhampton and Shrewsbury. For this district the programme is a heavy one, a specially noticeable organisation being the Harper Adams Agricultural College Chester North Wales and Aldford will be seen, and there will be the viewing of the Eaton Home Farm, belonging to the Duke of Westminster. On Lord Daresbury’s estate at Warrington the Walton and Worsley herd of pedigree Large White pigs, founded over 40 years ago by this owner, will be viewed. In 1912 Lord Daresbury purchased the Earl of Ellesmere’s famous herd. This combination has proved very successful for awards have been numerous. Mr J. T. Black’s Jersey herd will be inspected at Egremont, and Messrs J J. Irving and Sons’ herd of Red Poll cattle at Whitehaven There will be the very lovely drive from Keswick to Carlisle for Dumfries, where at Muirside Farm Mr J. Howie's Ayrshire cattle and Border Leicester sheep are famous. The route to Auchincruive for the Wes* of Scotland Agricultural College Experimental Farm, will include the Burns Country The activities of the college include dairying in all its departments poultry husbandry general agriculture, horticultural department, plant husbandy. research department and apiary Courses in all these subjects are held at the college, which is beautifully situated amidst wooded scenery on the banks of the River Ayr

FAMOUS CLYDESDALES Glasgow Exhibition has been included in the programme also the Trossachs, North Berwick Melrose, Kelso. At Sandyknowe Messrs T. and M Templeton have made the farm famous with their prize-winning Clydesdale horses. Aberdeen Angus cattle, Border Leicester sheep, and Oxford Down sheep. The horse. Benefactor, which has left its imprint on the Clydesdale breed, was purchased in 1925 as a three-year-old for 4400 guineas, has won all the prizes open to a Clydesdale, and was for many years the champion sire. It was a son of this old champion which won the 1936 Stallion Show Championship

The Marquess of Zetland farms 650 acres at Aske, the home of the famous Aske herd of pedigree dairy Shorthorns. The herd includes many noted strains. The Aske breed of Aberdeen Angus was started more recently, but has been no less successful. The same owner has a herd of Aberdeen Angus-cross-Shorthorn, which produced some excellent quality beef cattle; also Large While and Essex pigs GRASS-DRYING PLANT

Swinton Grange, Malton, belongs to the Hon Mrs Clive Behrens. There the party will be shown the tuberculin tested and attested pedigree herd of Ayrshire cattle. Also the Kilmartin crop and grass-drying plant This dryer is of unique design and at present the only plant existing in England. The output of dried grass is up to five tons per day, and the total costs, as costed by Leeds University £3 5s per ton.

After Harrogate will come Bramwith Hall, owned by Mr C. W. H. Glossop, Mr Clifford Glossop was a member of the party of Empire farmers who visited Australia and New Zealand in 1930 His herd of British Friesian cattle was founded in 1922, and the herd to-day

all carry the blood of two noted animals imported from South Africa in 1922 A five times 2000-gallon cow has been bred and developed on the farm, and a twice 2000-gallon cow will be on view, which is also home-bred-The farm buildings are a good example of clever conversion of ancient buildings into modern and hygienicpremises Bramwith Hall is a typical example of an early Georgian country seat, which was erected on the site of an early hall dating from the Stuart times. Mr Glossop is a member of the council of the Royal Agricultural Society of England. At Sandringham on July 23 the gardens. dairy, home farm, stud paddocks grounds, and exterior of Sandringham House and Sandringham Church will be visited by gracious permission of the King. At March. Mr H H. Truman’s stud of Percheron horses will be inspected Among further specimens of the breed some of the progeny of the famous stallion March of Viking will be seen. Then the tour will continue via Ely (to visit the Cathedral) to Cambridge. The tour will be over on July 24. New Zealanders who have booked for this well-arranged and instructive tour are:—Mr E. F. Buick, Mr A D Druce. Mr and Mrs G. H. Bull, Mrs A. B. Corlett. Miss J E, Corlett, Miss H M Dunn, Mr T. Dunn. Mr C. A, Gordon Mr F. W Gorton. Mr A. E Grandfield. Mrs Grandfield, Mr W E Hall. Mr T D. Jarman. Mr T. H. Lanauze. Mrs Lanauze. Mr P. O’Donnell, Mr C A. Proctor, Mr D. Proctor, Mr E. H, P. Swalnson. Mr W. E. McEwan, Mr W. D. Mackintosh.