AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2006, 4 August 1892, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The following cutting but truthful remarks by a writer in the Sydney Mail' on the ruling methods of awarding prizes at poultry shows, will bo read with pleasure by admirers o£ poultry who are not carried away by the prevailing craze 'or have no purpose to serve in maintaining tho presont falso standnrd :—"A poultry fancier complains through tho press of the awards at the late Sydney show. The points which woro applauded by one judge were condemned by another. Thus a bird which obtained the highest prize at half a dozen exhibitions was disrated at a seventh. Another fancier replies that the fowl in question not only turned his feet out in walking, but was cursed with a ' crooked toe.' It was too much to expect that a rooster who couldn't strut straight was a fit companion for a hen whose evory motion was a pooin. As the besb racehorse is the one that goes fastest, whatever his shape, and the best cow tho one that gives most milk, so, to the uninitiated at all ovents, tho hen that lays tho biggest eggs with the least delay should bo the most highly prized. But, so far as poultry are concerned, it appears to bo-all the other way. The breed that looks best and does least appears to be thought of most. It is the world's way, and is not confined to poultry. If a genus of fowls appeared whose females either laid not at all or deposited weekly eggs like peas, and cackled themselves hoarse over the event, the chicks would be worth their weight in gold. Look at the prices given for game fowl and bantams whose eggs are marbles and bodies but a bite. If they could sing like a lark or even revile passers-by like a cockatoo there might be some reason for their ridiculous value. Truly the ways of bird fanciers passeth all understanding. As showing the relative prices at which New Zealand and Home meat may be obtained in London, the following from the Palmeira Telephone and Stores Gazette for May last, should be of interest: — NEW ZEALAND MVTTON AND LAMB. Mutton,

It is said that a Mr Burgess has invented a new land-cleaning machine (says Invention*), the principle being to root up all weeds, &c. f and pass at once through a double-blast fire by means of a travelling engine. Tho frame is mounted on four travelling wheels. On the frame a small steam engine is fixed. On "the right side of the engine is a blownr. On the lett side of tho engine i« a brick hearth, fitted in an iron frame, which forms a Ike-.retainer. In the Front of the machine-is a screen, and, by a gradual incline leading up to the fire, the weeds, &c , are elevated to the lire-retainer, which is kept up to a great heat by the blast from the blower. The weeds pass through the fire, and are deposited in the soil. The engine, which is said to be capable of cleaning four to eight acres a day, is from six to eight horse power, and, with the machine, would require two men when in operation. A gentleman who has an intimate Jicquaiutance with the Indian horse market iulorraed the Taieri Advocate the other d<jy that there exists a firm demand for horses of g-jod btamina. Lately, he said, the market h.is been weakening because the quality of many of tho shipments were such as not to inspire confidence in bujrers ; but if a careful selection is made, and sturdy animals are selected, good prices are obtainable. He anticipates a vise in rh« market shortly, and has promised (if business takes him to India) to write uh I'rom there as to th& condition of the Indian horse market. (Continued on juiyc 11.)

per lb per lb Breasts 2Jd Chops, trimmed ... 8d Necks 5d Forequarter ... 5d Shoulders 6'd Hindquarter ... 6Jd Loins 6Jd Sides §id „ best end ... 7d Saddles Hid Whole sheep ... -5d Haunch 6Jd Suet 6d Necks, best end . . . 74d per doz Legs 7id Kidneyß ... Is9d Chopa 7id Lamb. N.Z. Eng. N.Z. Eng. per lb per lb per lb per lb Targets ... 6d 10id Forequarter 7id lid Shoulders ... BJd 12d Hindquarter Bid 12d Loins ... 84d 12d Side 74d Hid Legs ... 94d 13d ENGLISH AND SCOTCH MUTTON. per lb per lb Breast 4d Legs, small ... lid Necks 9d Chops lid Shoulders 9d „ trimmed ... 13d Loins 10id Forequarter ... Bid „ best end ...lid Hindquarter ... lOd Saddles lOid Sides 9d Haunch IOJd Whole sheep ... ,Bid Necks, best end ... lid Suet 6a Legs IOJd Kidneys ... each 3id WELSH MUTTON NOW IN SEASON. per lb per lb Legs and saddles... 10J d Shoulders 9d AMERICAN AND ENGLISH BEEP.* per lb per lb Sirloin— Prime cut 5u 5Jd Whole ... 81d 9Jd „ salted 5d 5Jd Prime cut 9id IOJd Silver sideRibs— Wholp ... 74d 81d Rolled ... 81(1 9}d Prime cut 7Jd 9d Prime cut Old lOid Salted „.. 7d 9d Wing ... JM lOd Brihket— Short ... 91(1 10.1 Whole ... 4Jd 5Jd Top ... tijd 7M Prime cut 44d 64d Back ... <31d 74d Salted ... Bid 64d Ton sides— Gravy beef ... — 8d Whole ... 7Jd Brl, Stock meatPrime cut B'i !M Legs and Rump ... 9d lOlid shins, from Aitchbone... 5Ad (Jrl 101b to 171b — 5d „ salted sid 6d Steak— • Thick flank— Beef lOd lOd Whole ... 7id 8d Buttock ... lOd lOd Prime cut 9Jd 9Vd Rump ... 13d 13d Thin flank— Suet — 8d Wholo ... 4id 5d Kidney ... — lOd * It will be noted that New Zealand beef is not quoted. ENGLISH VEAL. per lb per lb Legs 101 d lid Necks, best Loins ... — lOd end ... — 104 d „ kidney Breasts ... *— B}d end — lOkl Knuckles ... 4d 7d Shoulders... — »d Fillets ... — 12d Oysters ... — lOid Cutlets V.. — 13d Necks ... — SAd