FARMING IN OTAGO.

Otago Witness, Issue 1652, 21 July 1883, Page 14

FARMING IN OTAGO.

Our Waikaka correspondent writes : — Most of the farmers in the district have been occupied with the plough for a number of weeks past. However, I believe little sowing will be done till the middle of September, excluding wheat, however, which may be sown at the end of August or during the first week of September, both times being more suitable than an earlier date. The best time, it is found here, for sowing oats is the end of September and the first week of October ; and I have been a very |good return from oats sown during the first week of November. The only objection to sowing as late as this is the unpleasant consequences attending a late harvest. Oats that were sown early in September last year suffered in their early stages from drought, and in their maturing process from the intense heat and drought experienced in January and early in February. lam not at present in a position to say what kind of oats will take precedence for sowing this year. Last year sparrowbill and Sutherland, and one or two other kinds, gave satisfaction. But I hear some farmers objecting to the former, asserting — groundlessly, I think — that if oats should at any time be in little demand it would be more difficult to sell them than the other varieties. Consequently, it may not be beside my purpose to write a few lines about this variety. Just about threshing time it was no uncommon remark to hear : "Buyers hardly care to look at sparrowbill, and if not very bright they will not be easily sold." From the first I set this down as duplicity of speech if it came from a buyer of oats. Incidents have proved that my surmise was correct. I know a farmer here who sent to a firm of auctioneers a parcel of Sutherland oats, bright and of good quality, and another parcel of sparrowbill, which was also of good quality, and, though not quite bright, was as bright as oats of this kind usually are; in short, the one was as good of its kind as the other. In due time the returns were received, when it was seen that both kinds brought the same price — ■viz., the top price at the time for firstclass feed. Another farmer sent a parcel of the same kind of oats to a Northern miller, who, in a letter informed the vendor that the oats were very good for milling purposes. And another farmer who sent several truckloads of both sparrowbill and Sutherland oats to an Invercargill firm received Just a halfpenny less for the former. Even if for the sparrowbill a penny less per bushel were obtained than for the Sutherland there would still be a gain in having the former, inasmuch as the yield is commonly much heavier and its power of resisting strong wind is greater than that of the other varieties. I may instance a point in fact : A farmer had a field of some 40 acres— one-half comprising sparrowbill, the other Sutherland. The former yielded 80 bushels per acre, the latter 60 bushels. Both were sold, and the price obtained, clear of expenses, was Is Gd for sparrowbill, and Is 7d for the Sutherland. These results are apparent : Sparrowbill, SO bushels at Is Gd - £G. Sutherland, 60 bushels at Is 7d = £4 15s.

Difference of £1 15s per acre in favour of the sparrowbill. Present known disadvantage in having sparrowbill is its readiness to become discoloured. But it should be said that this is <only the case when it is cut when damp, and <wher\ it is allowed to lie on the ground for a ■day or two after being cut. Rabbits : Not long ago there appeared a letter in your •columns on the rabbit pest, being an extract from a Melbourne paper written by " The Vagabond." I read it with much interest, and thought it reflected the greatest credit on that gentleman's poweis of observation, and his quickness in picking up trustworthy information while making a flying tour over the country. £n one part of his letter he said : " The most that can be said for any district is that the vabbits are kept down." That remark applies to this distiict, which is one that could be more easily cleared of rabbits than any other in Ofcago or Southland, there being no natural retreats for them beyond a few underground holes of no large dimensions. Poisoning has been carried on this winter with success, but from year to year all we can say is that the rabbits are " kept down."

Our Palmerston correspondent writes: — As showing that the Ayrshire breed of cattle of this district are fast making a name for themselves, I may mention that Mr Charles M'Gregor, of Park Farm,has this week disposed of, at very satisfactory prices, a truck-load of his celebrated herd of the above cattle to Mr James Gibson, Timaru. They comprised cows and heifers, amongst which was the noted prize-taker, Glasgow Jean, formerly belonging to Mr Alexander Annan, of Mag Swamp, and purchased by Mr M'Giegor, at his clearing sale a short time since. I hear that Mr Gibson has purchased them as the nucleus of aiierd of these celebrated cattle which he intends forming, and I am informed by competent judges that he has made a judicious selection, forming, as they do, the progeny of noted prize-takers on the part of both sire and dam. Mr M'Gregor is to be congratulated on this sale, proving as it does, that his cattle are fast getting into .repute, and it should give an impetus to other oy^ners of this noted breed of cattle throughout ihe district to go in for pure stock.

Out' .Ngapara correspondent writes :—Agricultural; The wet weather experienced here runtil the last few days had the effect of delaying somewhsgb the ploughing, sowing, and harrowing the lasi&d, it being much too heavy to work with com'ofifc to man or beast. Since it ■cleared up we hava ifyaen favoured with drying winds and warm sun, .consequently activity is again manifest in all directions. During my ■recent rambles, I have observed the early-sown wheat on the farms of Messrs Menlov.s, Brooks, Westlake, and others some two inches aboveground. This is considered pretty forward. A very large area altogether b&e been turned up, and all that is now wanting ara suitable opportunities for sowing broadcast the seed and propitious weather for the succeeding various stages *into perfection. Potatoes: In consequence of the drug in the market of this commodity and the low prices offering, many are yet pitted until there is a better demand. Some gardeners have already begun planting early kidney potatoes; full early,! consider, as they will be very liable to get frostbitten

when up. Lambing: Messrs Jesscp and Cleave were able to announce a fortnight since that they had young lambs among their sheep. 1 am informed this is not expected for two months yet by some shoepowners.

Our Henley correspondent writes: — "Waihola : All the farmers busy sowing. Henley : —Ploughs busy ; land generally too wet to sow yet, Otakia : A lai'ge area of la.ncl sown, both wheat and oats. Mr James Allan, of Hopo Hill, has several hundred acres sown. Mr W. T. Shand, of Otakia, has about 200 acres sown, and the greater x^art of it up. Mill. Palmor has also over CO acres of wheat in."

Our Milton correspondent writes: — "The fine open winter has given every facility to the pushing on of farm work, and ploughing is now well advanced. Sowing is being proceeded with this week on a good many farms, and the land is in excellent condition. Turnip sheep have had a splendid chance to increase in weight, as the land has seldom been uncomfortable for them. Turnips are a good crop. Even latesown ones, which were thought for a long time to be a failure, have turned out astonishing crops. If the mutton market improves in spring, our farmers may yet be able to make vvell up for what they fell behind with their grain."

As a result of the early weaning of lambs (writes our Palmorston correspondent) a circumstance has come under my notice which I consider worth mentioning. Mr W. J. Jack, farmer, Horse Range, purchased some merino ewes from Messrs Little Bros, last harvest (the lambs being taken away from them), and turned them into a paddock with the rams, the result being that at this early date the ewes are now busy lambing, some of which are now three weeks old, and Mr Jack informs mo that he has not so far lost a single lamb. 1 may mention that he takes the precaution of housing them every night.

Our Gore correspondent writes : — But little in connection with farming can be done at this season of the year. Rabbiting chiefly occupies the attention of the farmer, and on his success or non-success in this particular line depends (in some districts at least) his returns from crops sown. There is but one sunny side to the rabbit nuisance, and that is' it affords employment to a great number of men who might otherwise be compelled to go idle at this time of the year, or else leave home in search of^work. I know of many who find very profitable employment in assisting to extirpate this pest of the farmer. On land which is naturally well drained or has a porous subsoil the plough is busily atworkthioughout the district, but little or no sowing has yet been done, the weather having been anything but favourable for this work. A great number of farms have been offered for sale within the past few months, and several have changed, hands, although the greater number have not been sold. This is owing, I believe, to the prevailing scarcity of money, and not the fault of the properties submitted for sale, as many very nice farms have been withdrawn.

"Old Identity," Waitahuna, writes :— We have had a splendid winter, and the farmers are getting on well with their ploughing — getting all ready for seeding time. I trust they may secure better prices for the grain next year. The rabbit pest is being vigorously coped within this district. The Farmers' Club has taken an active part in the work, and you will see everyone who owns 10 acres of land with a bag of poisoned grain on his back, with which to deal death to poor bunny. If tho reside nts of other districts proved half as energetic as those interested m this district have done this season, an appreciable difference would be noticed during the coming summer.

Our Wakatipu correspondent writes : — " Trials made with Messrs Stewart, Watson, and Co.'s Universal pest exterminator, by Mr Bouchier, rabbit inspector, have proved so .sue ccessful that the inspector has oidered several of the machines. As they destroy the pest by fumigation, the materials used being charcoal and sulphur, the working expenses are very low."

"An Experienced Farmer" writes :— " I was not aware that the frrmers were so much indebted to the worms until looking over the columns of your issue of July 7. I observed the worm's occupation very minutely explained, and if the worm be so far recognised as an aid to agriculture as to be introduced into localities where their numbers are deficient, some information as to thp best method of introducing them would perhaps be acceptable. In the first place, let the farmer well cultivate the land, and then give it plenty of good farmyard manure, aud he will find the worms to follow suit to an unlimited extent. For this case, Mr Editor, my experience teaches me that it is the richness of the land that produces the worms, and not the worms that produce the richness of the land. I quite agree with Professor Hensen's remark that chemical analysis of a subsoil gives no sufficient insight into its fertility if the number of wormholes are not also taken into consideration. It is my opinion that the fertility of a subsoil is very little, and if the roots do form a network in the wormholes it is for the purpose of getting air. For instance, suppose there be a post of any kind fixed in the ground which may be likely to let down air, the roots would be found to form a network against the post in a very similar manner. Then if the farmers are indebted to the worms, it must be for the ventilation of the roots. I believe the worms are sent for some good, but as to the true purpose I am yet in the dark. But this I know from my long experience, that worms of several kinds are often found meddling with the roots."

Our Pukerau correspondent writes : ' ' Ploughing is now the principal work, and seems to be going on apace. Farmers are putting in a good deal of spring wheat this year, owing, no doubt, to the poor price of oats last year. Barley seems to attract a fair share of attention also, and will be planted to a considerable extent. The lambing season has just commenced in this district, several having made their appearance on Mr M'Master's Seafield Estate."

Our correspondent writes as follows on farming matters in the Clutha district :— " Ploughing : This most important branch of agriculture is well advanced in all parts of this extensive district. This has been effected by the excellent weather which it has been our good fortune to experience lately. Being an old settled district, the ground in many places has lost its viigin richness through, in many cases, over-cropping, and to bring it up to its proper producing capabilities subsoiling and deep ploughing are becoming more and more the order of the day. Four - horse teams are more numerous than of yore, fresh soil must be brought up and subsoil stirred, hence extra strength is required, and this' w^Q/jt doubfc will amply repay the extra strength and labour expended in the preparations of the goi/. Crops : The autumn and early winter sown crops are in a forward state bo far ; but we have not hOjii any rough weather yet to speak of since they we're sown. August is about the best month for' sowing wheat, provided the ground is in anything like condition. Turnips are being eaten off with sheep on all the farms here where sheep are

kept, and the present weather is very favourable for stock fattening. Lamhs may be seen on several farms some three weeks' old, but these are exceptional cases, as in gfineral lambs are more liable to die of cold at this heason unless special care and protection is resorted to."

FROM OUK EXCHANGES. With reference to rabbiting on the Shag Valley Station the Palmerston Times says : — The returns for April, May, and June were between 80,000 and 5)0,000, while no relaxation whatever has since taken place in the evidently earnest and untiring prosecution of the work. Even as early as February no less than 10,000 skins wore taken in that month, so that judging by the steps taken the season will close with a thorough clearance on this estate, so far as is really practicable with known methods.

On the same subject a correspondent writes as follows in our contemporary : - Until our large owners of pastoral lands adopt some other plan than paying their rabbiters by results we need never entertain the smallest hope of seeing the pest exterminated. Men whose wages consist only of so much per skin will be found to work only where rabbits ai'e plentiful and discard those places where wages cannot be made. Rabbiters do not make a secret of the fact that they don't want to exterminate bunny and destroy their own occupation at once. I think the large land holders in the Upper Valley would do well to take a leaf from the book of Mr Douglas, Mount Royal, who has a gang of men and lads to whom he pays a wage, provides them with tent accomodation and rations, and has a responsible person over them, who sees that they fill up the burrows in every gully as they go along. This to my mind is the practical way to cope with the pest. The means used and the present season is by far the best for the destruction of the pest, and every rabbit left now will tell a sad tale on our flocks and herds, and grain crops during the coming summer.

Gardeners and fruit-growers (says the Queenstown correspondent of the Cromwell Argus) generally are becoming uneasy. The mild season will not allow of much pruning. All the fruit trees are full of sap and show signs of budding. It is difficult to decide what to do. Spare the rod and spoil the child in another inverse sense can be applied to the tree and the pruning knife.

A Wangaloa correspondent writes as follows in our Milton contemporary : — As this is almost entirely an agricultural district, farming matters have the precedence. Notwithstanding the fine open winter which we have had, farmers, with one or two exceptions, have neglected to take advantage of it. However, most ot them are now preparing to get the plough set a-going. Broadcast turnips are being eaten off with sheep, to have the ground ready for spring sowing of wheat. There is however a prejudice arising against the practice of sowing turnips broadcast, it being found that it gives sorrel and other weeds such an opportunity to get a hold of the soil, that the crop following is sometimes completely chocked, to say nothing of the permanent injury done to the land. I have heard it stated that wheat would not succeed grown close to the sea, but we have here proof that this is by no means true, our best crop 3 0 wheat being grown near the beach. Mr D. Mitchell has a small threeacre paddock situated on the very edge of the cliffs, which a couple of years ago from the second furrow yielded the almost incredible average of 105 bushels per acre, including firsts and seconds.

From Inch Clutha we (Leader)' learn that fanning operations are progressing very favourably. Some farmers have from one to two hundred acres sown, and the young braird is looking well. Messrs Mosley have sold this season about £2000 worth of grain, also £1200 worth of fat cattle. Progress and prosperity are the order of the day ; fat sheep and cattle arc weekly forwarded" to Dunedin market, where they realise good prices.

At the New South Wales Company's frozenmeat works at Orange, during the last four months no less than 800 bullocks- and 30,000 sheep have been slaughtered, and the works are now just beginning to repay the shareholders for their large and spirited outlay.

In a leading article on the importation of frozen meat into England, The Times of May 7 says :— ■" The chief objection to the process arises from the almost invincible repugnance of a large section of our people to refrigerated meat, arising principally from its appearance and tho alleged want of savour which affects it. Servants especially view it with a kind of lofty horror, and, as far as they can, leave it to be consumed by their masters and mistresses."