FARM NOTES.

Ohinemuri Gazette, Volume XXIII, Issue 2988, 4 September 1912, Page 3

FARM NOTES.

Lucerne land in the Tain worth district is selling at high value (says the Pastoralists' Review"). Twenty-lour acres were recently disposed of at £67 10s per acre. This property lately yielded from one cutting forty-six bags ot lucerne seed, valued at over £400, equal to about £iS per acre. The Dannevirke A. and P. Association has. decided to abandon the suggested casein competitions at its show this year. Replying !o representations from the association as to the institution ot a casein test at the next show, the Dairy Commissioner pointed out the difficulties in the way of givtngeffect to the request. The division's casein testing outfit was at present fixed up in a factory in Tara--naki, where it had been working throughout the past season. In making the tests great care was needed to ensure that the samples were in the right condition, and it would therefore be necessary for one of the department's men to be in attendance to collect the samples. If the plant could have been brought to the show it would have been quite an easy matter to Jiave assisted the association in the direction desired, but this was not practicable. MrCttddie" pointed out, however, that samples could be submitted to an analyst, who could ascertain the casein contents by chemical process. Mr T. f. O'Brien, of the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Company, states, according to the " Southland Times," that there is at present a demand for big up-standing draught geldings from four to six years old lor shipment to Melbourne. Thisclassothorseisrequired for the new railway works now being constructed in Western Australia. A buyer from Australia is reported to have given it out that he is prepared to buy upwards of 150 ot the above class ot horse. A warning note in regard to the feeding of dairy stock was sounded by Mr J. G. Wilson in his annual report to the shareholders of the Rangitikei Co-oper-ative Dairy Company. The directors, said Mr Wilson, would again strongly urge the suppliers to make preparation for summer feed for cows, iigainst the prospect of a dry season. Last year, ailcr a very fine, dry winter, we had a splendid summer for dairying, and the summer food was not needed. This year the winter has been cold and wet, -and on the law of averages there is therefore much more likelihood of a dry summer this year. Maize has been found to be the most suitable crop lor this purpose yet tried, but it requires a complete manure, and the directors would be glad to order Doth seed and manure, suitable for the crop for the suppliers if they wish it. If the .maize was not needed it could easily be made into ensil.igo for winter feed." „