AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

Otago Witness, Issue 1899, 13 April 1888, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL PROSPECTS.

The past spring and summer, will scarcely be regarded with many pleasurable reminiscences by the farmers of Otago and Southland, for except in a few favoured localities the weather throughout the Southern districts has since the opening of spring been exceedingly variable and unseasonable. A wet and boisterous August seriously impeded farm work and retarded vegetation, and although considerable progress was made in September interruptions to seeding operations were frequent. Throughout October the weather influences were adverse, and consequently oat sowing in some kite localities was prolonged till the second week in November. Even then hopes were entertained that the expected summer ■warmth would so stimulate vegetation that the risks attendant on a very late harvest would be averted. For a time the crops promised exceedingly well, but the average temperature continued abnormally low, and since the New Year there has been a constant recurrence of cold, withering winds, which have inflicted serious injury on crops of all kinds — especially the turnip — and on pastures. The heavy rainfall a fortnight ago came on much grain crop still in stook, and the consequences must be a large proportion of damaged parcels in the market from southern farms. The past week of drying weather will have enabled farmers to stack what was outstanding, but the bulk of this must be put through the chaffcutter. The pasturage is far from being in a satisfactory condition, and what with a deficient^ turnip crop, stockowners, must, be prepared to utilise feed during the coming winter heretofore regarded as waste. It frequently happens, however, that during the latter part of April and May genial weather is experienced, and this would be doubly welcome now. ' Autumn cultivation and seeding operations could be pushed forward, and should the opportunity offer, farmers will not ,be slow to avail themselves of it, for despite the discouraging experiences with which they have had to contend they are not altogether disheartened. They now know about the best or the worst of the harvest, and very few of them are dependent on the one resource. A few weeks of good weather now would also help the pastures, and the stock would continue to thrive without trenching on the turnips until well into winter.

What the ruling prices for grain during the season are to be naturally occasions various speculative opinions among growers. Twelve months ago it had been ascertained that the South. Australian and Victorian crops were so seriously deficient that there was a prospect of a market for our surplus in Australia, and it was felt that British quotations very little concerned us. The anticipations proved correct, and fairly remunerative prices were realised so long as southern supplies lasted. This season the circumstances, are reversed, certainly in regard to wheat, which must be directly affected by fluctuations in foreign corn markets, and the value of which cannot be expected to rise to a parity with last year's standard.' Barley — i.e.; prime malting — is scarce throughout the t colonies, and, notwithstanding threatened importations from San Francisco, must.continue to realise full values. A greater danger than importations may, however, be.' apprehended as likely to affect the price of barley — viz., the use of substitutes for malt by a certain class of purchasers of the genuine article when supplies are not up to the average. If anything could give stability to tfie market for oats it should be the knowledge that stocks of even fair quality were almost exhausted before parcels of the new crop were available. Eeports from Australia imply £hat milling qualities are by no means superabundant; and although here as there, needy growers must sell speedily, and bydoing so lower prices for a time, farmers. who, have harvested their crop in sound condition" need not be in haste to sell. , The markets for fat cattle continue most disappointing, ana certainly were freights,

freezing, and other charges moderate it would pay owners of prim? beasts to ship, for lately there, has been an appreciable rise in the price of beef in the Home markets. There is no immediate prospect of any advance in value here, for with an impending scarcity of winter feed half -fat beasts are sure to,, be rushed to market and sold at miserable prices. Some feeders seem, however, to have confidence in an improvement' in the future, as they evince a disposition to buy substantial well-bred beasts. Virtually the fall in thevabie of fat cattle has been greater ■than that in sheep; and- as the numbers 'of ■ the, former cannot, according to,, present; appearances, be considerable in the spring," there should be a boom- again in their favour. Low as" the priceof mutton has t continuedthroughout the summer/ farmers' apparently are again regarding sheep with favour. The greater stability of the wool market,- and the continued doubtful prospects of grain growing probably contribute to this and have caused the' 'better demand for young sheep. Store, sheep 'are not ,-sp. disproportionately dear 'compared with the price obtainable for fats as they.; were formerly. The firm tone' of the present series of wool sales will give further confidence to sheepowners in the colonies, and it must be now apparent that only an outbreak of war can , affect adversely the value of superior, wools. Much has been learnt by farmers ! in the management of sheep, and with crossbred wool at a premium, every inducement is held out to them to attend earnestly to the breeding and keep of the farm flocks. Choice rams Of the most- desirable breeds may now be had for little money, for on' no class has the depression fallen more heavily than on the breeders of stud sheep and cattle.

It is hardly necessary here to dilate on the approaching revival in dairy farming. There is 'a' prevailing consciousness amongst farmers and their families that, "if gone about right, the industry can be made to pay." It is only those who "canna' be fashed" to observe certain simple details — mainly cleanliness — in the management of milk that need fear failure in batter- making. During' next summer there will indubitably be large exportations of dairy products from this colony ; and in this connection it may be well to remind farmers and cattle owners that dairy cows are sure to be in demand. Even last spring, when the cheese factories were about ' to resume operations, cows of a suitable kind were repeatedly advertised for.