AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL AFFAIRS AND PROSPECTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1805, 25 June 1886, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL AFFAIRS AND PROSPECTS.

Just now the position of affairs, agricultural and pastoral, appears much less critical than it was regarded generally but a few months ago. Already decidedly brighter hopes of the future prevail among the farming classes, and even those engaged exclusively in pastoral pursuits have less gloomy anticipations, for though prices of meat aud wool &till cuntinue insufficient to fairly remunerate producers a very slight upristil — of which there are encouraging indications — would restore confidence and comparative prosperity. The producing capabilities of New Zealand lands under very ordinary and inexpensive management indeed, are so much above the average of those of most other countries that a trifling improvement in the prices of< products materially benefits the farmer or grazier, while depression in values is all the more severely experienced, because the consequent deficiency in incomes is so considerable. As, for example, a difference one way or other of 6d per bushel, in the price of wheat would mean 13s per acre on our 26 bushel average, while on the 10 bushel and five bushel average, as in the Australian colonies, the consideration to the farmers would be only 5s and 2s 6d per acre respectively. O$ course, then, the low prices of the last two years have pressed very hardly on farmers in New Zealand, but they should remember that, all the circumstances taken into account, they have been much better off than their neighbours. The larger yield has given them something to go and come upon, while they may profitably consider how their brethren in Australia can exist on an average production of (in the best of seasons) 12 to 7 bushels per acrt>. The substantial advance in prices for grain has infused fresh spirit among the farming classes in this part of the colony. The most hepeful view, however, arises from the fact that growers have been enabled^o hold for a " rise." Just about harvest time here, and when the yields from the Australian crops this year were, according to information in our possession, deficient, we counselled farmers to hold grain. The advice was naturally cavilled at, and for several reasons, the primary ones being the necessities of farmers which compel early sales of produce, and secondly, the low rates ruling in European markets. It •is unnecessary now to discuss the fluctuations of the local grain markets ; it is sufficent to know that the producers in this part of the colony have been enabled to hold their grain, and now benefit by the advance in values. The position, then, is substantially encouraging, bocause it shows that the majority of our yeomanry are beyond the influences which compel early and forced sales. The crop of the present season,s it is true, is less in the aggregate than usual, but there is less damaged grain, and this sells now at

very nearly last year's prices for a superior article. Millers and speculators cannot just for the present dictate terms, and whilst it is outside the duty of a journalist to' meddle with trade matters, we cannot help recording the conviction that when producers have the whiphand the country is, if not prosperous, at all events " not past praying for."

Turning to stock matters we find that really prime cattle or sheep have but slightly lowered in value. Average quotations are low, but it is the inferior i stuff that does not pay, and there is a general clearing out this year of mongrels — whether of cattle, horses, or sheep. The lcsKon to farmers has been an expensive one, but in no other way could it have been so effective for good. Dealers have their profits and commission agents their percentage out of all classes of stock, but breeders begin to learn that a fairly well bred animal only will pay for grass or feed of any sort. Low prices, then ? so far as regards stock, are not " a crowning and crushing calamity ;" and in proof of the position we have only to refer to the present demand for well-bred store cattle and sheep. Beef and mutton are ticketed at ljd per lb in butchers' shops, while good stores cannot be had at anything like the money for weight. .Now any one capable of a dispassionate consideration of existing circumstances must infer that there is an underlying feeling of confidence in the future amongst graziers when they are prepared to pay good prices for writable store stock. In regard to horses, it is patent we are verging on a famine — so far as good draught and useful animals are concerned. The Aubtriiliau colonies are absorbing all our marketable draught animals, and we trust that owner.s of good mavos will look ahead of them, and endeavour to provide for the demand for local purposes that will undoubtedly spriug up and continue steadily during the next few years. This can only be done by paying the greatest attention possible to the selection of sires, avoiding all doubtful or weedy entires as a certain personage, not mentiouable to ears polite, is said to avoid holy water. We have several unexceptionable entires in our midst, so that there is no excuse for owners of mares to adapt the penny wise and pound foolish policy which presents such attractions when the present cost and not the future gain, not only to the breeder himself, but also to the country, is considered.'