LATE AGRICULTURAL.

Otago Witness, Issue 1917, 17 August 1888, Page 18

LATE AGRICULTURAL.

Commenting on the dairy industry, the Mataura Ensign says: — "Suppliers regret that thev cannot get 4d a gallon and are loath to allow that 3d" is a remunerative price. But they acknowledge to themselves, or most of them do, that the milk harvest, even ab 3d, is one quite worth gathering in these times. It has proved a valuable assistance to many of them, and they are wise enough to know it. Naturally they seek to obtain the best possible price, and we only wish the factories could afford to pay 4d, and a substantial dividend to boot. Perhaps that halcyon time may yet arrive, and the movement that many suppliers are making in the direction of increasing their milkers will help to bring better prices nearer. There will be a large acreage under crop in this district (writes the Balfour correspondent of the Southland News). As usual, every available acre that can be cropped is taken up, and at great prices, 8s 6d per acre being given for a crop. The Hedgehope correspondent of the Southland Times supplies that journal with the following items : — Rabbit poisoning is in full operation at present. Considering how powerless both the annual Government crusade and the incessant skirmishing of rabbiters, ferrets, dogs, &c, are not only to extirpate bunny but even to cheok hie advance, it is very plain that if left alone he would very soon be monarch of all he surveyed. This district is by no means the worst in Southland ; in Borne spots indeed he is scarcely ever seen now where but a year or two ago he was flitting round everywhere. But this, it is to be feared, is not owing to any decrease in the enemies forces, but simply to those forsaken spots b ing eaten out and so hunger pointing the way to fresh fields and pastures new. This seems to be borne out by the numbers that are picked up after a poisoning raid wherever there is still some vestige of grass. On one farm upwards of a thousand were picked up last week in a day or two. As these probably were not more than a third of the number placed hors de covibat it is evident that no meagre contingent occupies the Hedgehope. Some of our settlers are going heavily into pig raising— a very sensible thing indeed considering the long existing ruling prices of oats. The mention of the names of those who, I believe, are the most enterprising in this direction might not perhaps meet with fnll approval, but there ia no doubt the supply is increasing very rapidly. I suppose the demand has arisen from the ham and bacon curing industries lately established around Invercargill, and this demand for the present at least exceeds the supply. The fact that each one who has tried the experiment is increasing his output aa fast as possible is proof in itself, as I fancy that the venture on the farmers' side is found to be a paying one. As to the quality of the finished goods I am unable to speak from experience, the article being too costly for home consumption. Mr R. Klrkwood, of Coal Creek Flat, Mount Benger, recently had three valuable cows maliciously poisoned, two of which succumbed, the other being got round with difficulty. Large heaps of poisoned grain were laid during the night, chaff being mixed with it, in order to make sure there would be no fear of the animals rejecting the food which had been so diabolically prepared for them. Major Walmsley is looking through the Napier district for horses for the Indian marker, and has secured a good number of suitable animals at satisfactory prices.