AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2087, 22 February 1894, Page 11

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

(Continued from page 7)J The Ruahine took 611 tons of dairy produce — 332 tons cheese and 279 tons butter.

Horse owners in the Clutha district find that great numbers of their horses are covered with a plentiful supply of the eggs of the bot fly. In the trial of a milk-adulteration case at a London suburban court recently a witness, claiming the position of a professional analyist, stated in his evidence that the milk from stale cows — i.e., of cows that have been milking a considerable time and are approaching the drying period — is always poor in quality. Commenting in the Field on this startling incident in the trial referred to, Professor Long says : " Such milk is almost invariably rich in solids, and in some instance s it produces as much butter and cheese as was produced by the animals when in fall milk, and yet we are told in evidence by the Paddington analyist that the milk of stale cowa is poor in quality, poorer than at any other period dating her milking season. Upon what basis practitioners who are presumably fully acquainted with a subject of the kind make such egregious mi&takes it is quite difficult to understand, but that it is a mistake there is no manner of doubt whatever. . . . Farm practice and scientific data alike point to the fact that this analyst is wrong, and indeed it is so commonly understood and recognised both on the farm, in the milk trade, and in the chemical profession that it is surprising to find even a hint suggested that the facts are otherwise."

At the present at least the export of fat cattle and sheep to Tasmania is apparently not a profitable business. During the week ending February 3 Roberts and Co. report their sale at the Hobart market yardß of 38 bullocks out of 64 head ex Oonah from New .Zealand at up to £8 10s per head. The market quotations for the week were— beef, prime, 18s per 1001b ; good, 16s 6d ; prime mutton, 2d to l£d per lb ; good, Id. In the same week Messrs W. T. Bell and Co. report the sale at Launceston of " ewes and wethers from Danedin at 5s 3d to 5s 6d ; do fat lambs at 7s 3d to 8s 9d." Sheepowners in various parts of the province have made the discovery during the past shearing season that the sheep-stealer has been very busy during the year, and that their flocks have in consequence suffered very serious reductions. We (Tuapeka Times) have heard of one flockowner who found on mustering that out of 12,700 sheep no less than 3000 had disappeared. This happened on a station between this district and the Taieri, and similar losses are reported from other stations. How are these losses to be explained P In the specific instance we have furnished nearly one-fourth of the flock had disappeared without a clue of any kind being forthcoming that would lead to a solution of the mystery. They had very clearly been systematically stolen and, after the brands had been removed or disfigured, sold at some distant market. In another instance we are aware of a sheepowner who has lost 500 sheep out of a flock of 6000. Not long since one of this owner's sheep was discovered nearly 100 miles from his own station, having apparently been lost out of the flock which was being taken to market to be converted into cash by the sheep-stealer. The game must evidently be found a profitable one, since it can be carried on on such a large scale and with such small risks of detection. The removal of a fleece re* moves a brand as effectually as if it had never existed ; nor can their be much difficulty in so manipulating an earmark that it can neither permit of identification nor lead to a conviction. In fact, at present sheepowners are entirely at the mercy of the sheep-stealer, a fact the latter is perfectly aware of and loses no opportunity of profiting by. Christchurch Truth says : — "We are informed that on the Bth inst. a number of persons passing along a road in the vicinity of Christchurch noticed a cow suffering from a large swelling upon the jaw. Upon examining the animal it was found that the swelling had apparently been recently lanced, and that matter was running from the wound. Several of the party pronounced the case to be one of cancer. Further inquiry elicited the fact that the owner, who lives in the neighbourhood, is in the habit of leaving his residence every night and early in the morning for the purpose of milking this cow. The animal is never removed from the one spot, as in the case of other milkers, but is usually allowed to graze in an isolated position. It was subsequently ascertained that the matter was within the knowledge of Mr Holderness, sheep inspector, but that that gentleman was waiting for the arrival of the Government veterinary surgeon from Dunedin. Meantime the usual milking process goes on night and day." The Garston correspondent of the Southland News says :—": — " A grub has appeared among the crops in this district, the name of which I do not know. It appears to feed upon the roots of corn, sorrel, and other plants. The affected stalk becomes stunted, and eventually dries up. I saw a paddock wherein several considerable patches of barley had been so destroyed. This grub shows strong vitality ; for a local farmer put three or four into a jar, along with a little earth, and left them undisturbed for about three weeks. Then, although the soil in which they were placed had become as dry as duet, the insects had not succumbed. They may therefore prove hard to destroy. The wet weather has worked much damage amongßt the heavy crops, much of which is lying flat, and will have to be hand reaped. Harvesting has begun, but it will not be general for a fortnight atleast.

The Christchurch papers say that numerous requisitions having been received, the directors of the Central Dairy Company are now considering in which districts sufficient support is likely to bo obtained towards the erection of creameries for the coming season. Apparently there will be sufficient support accorded to establish quite a number, many promising districts being at present untouched. The Hawke's Bay A. and P. Association is carrying out a trial of sheep drenches. Two hundred lambs, selected as suitable for the test, were divided into 10 pens, one being left undrencbed. Suitable arrangements for accommodating them for some months have been made. They will then be carefully examined, and it is hoped that information of practical value to sheepfarmers will be the result. The competing drenches are Elliot's, Waratah, Robson's, Shield's, Tindell's, Luttrell'fl, Ford's, and Larney's.

The Miller's Flat correspondent of the Tuapeka Times writes :—": — " The horse and cattle are much annoyed here by a small grey fly, about the size of the common house fly, but differing from its domestic species in being armed with a formidable sting. The animal goes almost frantic from its continual biting. One of our cottage farmers has tarred his cow to save her from the attacks of the fly. I have not heard how the experiment works, but imagine the appearance will be rather grotesque. However, I am afraid the cure will be worse than the disease for the cow."

On the subject of butter-making, Professcr Long writes in The Field :—": — " Winter-made butter is always made firmer in texture than that made in summer — which is, perhaps, a truism ; but it is not to the temperature alone

jurists all over New Zealand. The pamphlet is for gratuitous circulation, and will be sent post free to any farmer interested. A more liberal offer conld scarcely be made. The Hon. Mr M'lntyre, on his return to Victoria, seems to have been picturing the New Zealand cheese trade in slightly roseate hues, and he is taken to task for his want of accuracy by the Melbourne Weekly Times, which says:— "There are some points in Mr M'lntyre's report on the dairy industry of New Zealand which, to say the.least, are difficult to understand. Present prices of butter and cheese will not justify proprietors of factories in Victoria paying more than from 2£d to 3d per gallon for milk. Mr M'lntyre, however, reports that in New Zealand the cheese factories 'are giving 3|d per gallon and paying 8 per cent, to shareholders,' and 'that they could give 4^d per gallon for milk for cheese-making and still pay dividends.' The very best New Zealand cheese barely realises sJ>d per lb in London. The bulk of it is sold for sd, while some of it does not reach that figure. On these prices for cheese, how is it possible to pay 4£d or even 3sd per gallon for milk ? The cost of the production of a pound of cheese shows on the very face of it that Mr M'lutyre's figures are altogether wrong. It takes a gallon of milk to make a pound of cheese, and the cost of manufacturing and maturing the cheese fit; for market is equivalent to at least -hd per lb. With milk at 3Jd per gallon the cost per lb of the cheese before it leaves the factory is 4j:d. Railway freight, packing, testing, insurance, commission, &c. will mean another -£d per lb. This brings the cost so far up to 4!Jd. Now we have to add the ocean freight to London, which is Id per lb, thus bringing the total cost for producing and landing cheese on the London market, with milk at 3Jd per gallon, up to ssd per lb. When we know that New Zealand cheese, as already stated, sells in London at from 4sd to s£d per lb, where do the big prices for milk and the dividends come in ? Victorian experience shows that it will only pay to export cheese when butter is so low in price that milk can be obtained at from 2£d to 2^d per gallon. If an average price for the season of 5d per lb be obtained in London for cheese, producers will be remarkably lucky. Until the cost of manufacture is further cheapened, rail and ocean freights and cost of handling and market further reduced, factories even then will not be able to give, at the most, more than 3d per gallon for milk if they expect to keep going and pay all expenses. A good deal of dissatisfaction exists amongst milk suppliers in this colony at the present low price of milk, and the publication of Mr M'lntyre's misleading report only tends to make matters worse. Suppliers are invited to check our figures by working out the cost of a pound of cheese made from milk purchased at prices alleged as being paid in New Zealand, and then try and explain where they might hope to get their monthly cheques from."

to this sieve, as it falls into the cream cans, is the remedy, and is worth the while to know about. As the expense of a hair sieve is only a few shillings, the benefits that will follow its use will pay for it over and over each month, and especially in the small dairy where the hand separator is used. Of the latest phase of the New Zealand Agricultural Company's rabbit dispute the Waimea Plains Review says:— "The difficulty with rabbiters on the Agricultural Company's estate has not yet been solved. The question can hardly be said to have advanced a stage further, though the manager (Mr Rodger) has modified his first proposals to the extent of purchasing the skins of under-sized rabbits, whereas at the outset only full-grown carcases and skins were to be taken. It is now definitely announced that at the end of the present month dogs will not be allowed on the station ; traps are to be used exclusively by the rabbiters. Briefly put, the case stands thus : To the end of the present month all skins will be taken delivery of as heretofore ; after that full-grown skins and carcases will have to be packed by the men to a given pomt — there they will be taken over by the company's packmen for conveyance to Lumsden. For full-grown skins 2d will be paid, and for under-sized Id. It is contended on behalf of the men that the packing will mean a dead loss to them as they will only be able to work half time, the other half being occupied transporting their produce, besides the loss incurred in parting with their dogs, some of the latter having cost a pretty round sum of money. Then, again, they will have to bear the cost of purchasing about 100 traps per man. This is felt to be a great hardship — in fact, greater than they are able to bear. If the dogs are taken away it will require 70 or 80 men to do the trapping, which is about double the number at present employed. Another item bearing heavily on them is that the carcases must be delivered without a blemish, also all skins, and in the preßent hot weather the difficulty of this is apparent. It will be literally impossible for the rabbits to reach Lumsden in good condition, as from some of the outside camps they will be on the road four or five hours, and in most cases there will be a great amount of handling before they get to their destination. The rabbiters have certainly not been making a pile in the past. For many years the average wage has been £5 a month. On this munificent sum they can hardly be said to do more than eke out a living. In prosecuting their calling they get up out of bed before daylight even in summer ; their first duty is to go round the traps and take out the rabbits caught during the night. These have to bs laid in convenient heaps, and the traps laid out again for next setting. This involves considerable labour, as anyone 'lugging' around 100 or 150 traps over miles of rough country would find. Then the remainder of the day is put in setting the traps again, skinning the rabbits and preparing the Bkina for the market. This,

ning in a paddock at the foot of the Port Hills, between the Cashmere river and the Hoon Hay road. On Tuesday morning two of the rams were found dead, another with its legs broken and otherwise seriously injured, which necessitated its being destroyed, while two more had been chased into a creek, but were recovered. The sheep had evidently been chased about a great deal, but the animals killed and injured showed no signs of having been touched by dogs. It is to be hoped that the perpetrators of such an act will be promptly brought to justice. The question as to who is the breeder of an animal — he who mates tho sire and dam, or he who purchases the dam after service — has long been a disputed point, particularly with cattle-breeders. It has been argued — and with reason— that the man whose skill mated the parents should have the credit, if any, of having' bred the offspring, and this view of the case has been adopted by the American Shorthorn Breeders' Association. For a long time this has been the unwritten law of the association, but in consequence of an important case at the World's Fair, which depended on this point, the association have lately made it one of their rules that the breeder of an animal should be the owner of the dam at the time of service. At the Chicago show Mr H. F. Brown entered a herd as "bred by the exhibitor," while some of the animals shown he owned at the time of calving only. A protest was entered, and the matter was referred to the association. The board of directors found that while a notice appeared in Vol. XXXIII of tho Herd book, that the owner of the dam at the time of coupling should be regarded as the breeder, no such rule had been formally adopted. Mr Brown was therefore permitted to retain the prize, but in future such a thing cannot happen, as the new law is explicit on the point. The Bath and West of England Agricultural Society, since 1888, have spent £9000 in the conduct of dairy schools where cheese and butter have been made. During that time 1300 young people have been taught how to make good cbeesa and butter. The fees received amounted to £3759 along with sales of produce. The county councils hc-lpsd the society with £4066, and the Government donated £1250. In England nearly every county council supports a dairy school, because the people have realised the fact that it pays well to have the young folks well trained in the manufacture of dairy produce. When it is considered that a product; may be doubled or trebled in value by skilful treatment, it can easily be seen that immense sutis of money may be added to the products of any locality without any addition to the quantity produced, and by adding to the value of the produce the material prosperity of the whole community is enhanced. Therefore, it is greatly to the interest of the ratepayers of every district to support institutions which undertake the education of young people in rural districts.

An estimate of the total wheat yield of Australasia for 1893 is made out by the Miller at 40,000,000 bushels. "Australasian wheat culture," this journal remarks, "has made no appeciable advance since 10 years ago, but the clear million quarters which, in a good year, Australasia has ever since 1883 been able to ship exercises especial influence, by reason of its arriving between Easter and the harvest, tho very period when other supplies flag." The following items are from the Oamaru Mail : Mr James Lambert, of Ardgowan, ia the first to send in a return of t"he potatoes issued in sample lots by the Agricultural department, and we imagine his return will take some beating. Mr Lambert planted 51b of Imperators. He cut them into 65 sets, leaving one bud in each, and planted them in September in a light clay soil without manure. The tubers flowered on December 4, and were dug on February 14, when they were found to have returned 1691b. Mr Lambert reports the potatoes as being very large in size, and also that they seem liable to crack. The exceptionally wet season' may, however, be responsible for this. Any other farmers who received samples will oblige by sending in their returns to the department. — Harvesting is now in full swing, and samples of the new crop are now coming forward. So far as we can judge the wheat will not come up to the average in quality, and the market will, in all probability, not open higher than about 2a 4d. Much of the grain is small and shrivelled. Oats are fairly good, and we have seen one or two samples well up to the average, for which Is 7d has actually been offered. About Is 6d may be taken as the standard price at which the new crop will open. There is considerably more barley to harvest this year than last, but the price depends entirely upon the condition in which it is saved. Fronv3s 3d to 3s 9d, according to sample, we should say will not be far out. — Mr Miller, Inspector of Stock, who has just returned from a trip down south, brought with him half a dozen straws culled haphazard from a crop of wheat in the Tokomairiro district. The crop when young was looked upon as an exceptionally good one, but now, owing to the ravages of the Hessian fly, it bears the resemblance of having been galloped through by a mob of horses. Each of the straws Mr Miller has brought back contains larvaa of the fly. These larvse, which resemble small, torpedo-shaped seeds, are deposited in a joint of the straw, and as they develop they crack the straw and the weight of the ear then weighs it over and breaks it. The Wairarapa correspondent of the Oamaru Mail writes:— "The Dalefleld and Taratahi Companies are shipping by the s.s. Ruahine about 30 tons of cheese. This represents about a month's output, and its value is about £1250. This will give your readers some Blight idea of the benefits accruing to this district through the establishment of these factories. They are conducted on the co-operative principle, and the milk suppliers draw a progress payment each month of 2d per gallon, and when the season closes they get another penny per gallon in a lump sum. The profit over and above that figure is divided between them pro rata to the milk delivered, at the annual meeting. Some 60 or 70 farmers supply the milk, and their properties rtnge in area from 40 to 400 acres. There is a splendid area of dairy land extending from Matarawa to Taratahi under the lea of the Tararua range."

Messrs W. Weddell and Co , in their annual review of the frozen meat trade, make the following important remarks on the quality of New Zealand mutton: — "It is a matter for regret that the congratulations tendered to shippers at the close of 1892 cannot be repeated at the end of 1893. Although a warning note was struck in our last Review as to the undesirability of sending 'gross' sheep to thil market, large numbers of carcases over 701b came forward, the sale of which was slow and unsatisfactory throughout. The difference between sheep that are prime and those that are simply fat does not yet appear to be very clearly recognised in the colony — indeed, it almvst seems as if some shippers consider that there is ne difference, and that sheep cannob possibly be too fat for freezing. This is unfortunate, &3 the current of public taste in thia country is setting more and more strongly every year in favour of carcases slightly under 601b, rather than over that average weight. Throughput the thickly populated manufacturing districts of England, fat mutton is practically unsaleable, while the ordinary retail traders in and around London, or, say, south, of Birmingham, do not, as a rule, care for sheep over 651b. The disposal of 'carcases over that weight is in consequence largely dependent upon the requirements of contractors for the regular supply of large institutions, and the retail demand in one or two provincial districts of limited area. Amongst these two classes of buyers low prices are almost the first consideration, and even they will seldom buy big, fat sheep except at a material reduction from the prices current for lighter and more popular weights. Lean, meaty carcases of young sheep, although exceediog 651b in weight, still command good prices for moderate quantities ; but the yearly growing favour in which smaller sheep are held should undoubtedly be kept before growers as a guide in the management of their nocks. There were probably fewer merinos than usual shipped from New Zealand last year, but a good many of the crossbreds, so-called, presented the merino characteristics very strongly, and ought not to have been shipped as cross* breds ; wbile not a few others were poor, thin, undersized carcases, quite unsuited to the ordinary requirements of this market. There was much less distinctness of character than formerly about the carcases shipped from the leading districts of the colony, and this was especially noticeable in the case of North Canterbury consignments, which in many cases failed to maintain their reputation for all round superiority over shipments from other districts. Amongst the best grades, however, there were numbers of sheep of choice quality, equal to anything ever shipped from the colony, and the average quality of New Zealand mutton still remains far in advance of the standard of any other source of supply."

To show how easily the Canadian thistle is propagated, we (North Ofaago Times) may mention that a large clump of this "noxious" weed is growing above the quarries opposite Mr George Bruce's mill. It has been luxuriating there for some .'years, and last year the seeds were blown down over the quarry. When a contractor removed some of the stone for breaking he also removed the seeds, and where that stone was put down on the roadside is now a luxuriant growth of Canadian thistle, which no doubt in turn will spread to the adjoining fields, till, like the Children of Israel, it has multiplied like the sands on the seashore. Some people say the thistle can be killed oat by a preparation of sulphur, while others say salt is the thing. On Totara, it is said, the pest is being successfully dealt with by the use of salt. Whatever accomplishes the end in view will rid the country of a very hurtful pest.

In Northern Canterbury the results of the threshing done as yet are on the whole very disappointing. The wheat is reported to be turning out much below expectation; crops which, from their appearance, were estimated to yield at least 20 bushels per aore have re* turned only from eight to tt a bushels of in*

that we must look for an explanation. The fats of whioh butter is composed have not all the same melting points ; while some are solid, others are practically fluid. If, however, the proportion of solid and fluid fats were always alike, there would be no substantial reason why, temperature aside, butter should not be similarly firm at all times. In the winter season, however, the solid fats are present in butter in a larger proportion than in the summer season. This is one reason why there can be no fixed temperature at which butter should be churned. Another is that the globules of fat of which butter is chiefly composed vary in size. At the New York experiment station at Geneva, to which we paid an interesting visit in July last, some important microscopic examinations have been made, in ail 454— in which 44,800 globules, from the milk of 15 cows of six different breeds, were actually counted and measured. It was found that, as the period ef lactation advances, the relative number of the smaller globules increases with considerable regularity. The data collected show, under different heads, embracing relative sizes, that both the Jersey and the Guernsey milks contain a large number of large globules, and a relatively small number of small globules ; whereas the Dutch, the Ayrshire, and the Devon milks contain a large number of small globules and a small number of large globules. Taking average figures covering the entire milking period, the globules of a given Guernsey cow were bAi"* m diameter, a given Devon too us" 3*3 * an Ayrshire T jj n in, a Dutch Talari 11 *> or > taking the average of the breeds, the Guernsey stood at 100, the Jersey at 103, the Devon 111, the Dutch 121, and the Ayrshire at 133. These figures represent the relative differences between the size of the globules. Milk containing large globules is churned to advantage at a slightly lower temperature than milk containing small globules. Again, there is one other reason affecting the churning temperature ; a wooden churn is a non-conductor, a metal churn is a conductor of heat ; consequently cream may be churned in a cooler dairy in a wooden churn than in a metal churn."

Under the title of " Clover Growing " Mr A. W. Beaven, of Christchurch, has issued in pamphlet form a series of papers recently contributed to the New Zealand Country Journal. The little work contains a considerable amount of useful information on the subject. Mr Beaven explained that the industry has been an exceedingly profitable one for North Canterbury farmers, and he is desirous of bringing its advantages under the notice of agricul-

" Catch crops " seem to be catching on in the Australian colonies. The Adelaide Observer says: — "Gradually the practice is extending all over the colonies, amongst provident farmers, of sowing two or three pounds of rape seed per acre on the stubbles and harrowing it in. The seeds come up with the first rains, always provide some feed and often an abundance, which comes in just right for all stock and at the same time cleans and enriches the field. Some farmers put in two or three pounds per acre of white mustard, and some sow from one to three pounds of turnip seed. Perhaps it might be a good plan to try two or three acres with each sort, and keep a watch on the results. The green feed along with the old dry straw is much appreciated by the stock, and as all weeds come up at the same time they can be ploughed under before they produce seed.

At Government; House on Thursday (says the Australasian of the 10th) a large gathering of farmers and others were present to see the cutting of the ensilage crop of his Excellency the Governor, who has always taken a deep interest in the ensilage question. The silo was hastily filled last November from a very heavy crop of green oats, which averaged about 10 tons per acre, and when opened on Thursday was found in excellent condition. The crop cut on Thursday was maize, which would yield about 12 tons per acre. It was put in immediately after the oaten crop was taken off. Thus two crops have been taken off the same piece of ground within one season. The cropping was carried out under the direction of Mr D. Wilson, the Government dairy expert. Mention may be made that the ground was of very inferior quality. The maize was cut by the Walter A. Wood tubular steel mower, and the chaffing done by Bunole No. 1 chaffcutter driven by Ransome's portable engine, which was lent by Danks and Son. His Excellency the Governor thanked the firms mentioned for their kindness in supplying the machines.

While in the dairy room at the World's Fair a dairy writer noticed that the cream of the separators, after the milk was whirled, had no froth or foam upon it, and in appearance resembled the cream from the deep setters. As this was a matter worth an inquiry, it was soon demonstrated to him that if the cream, as it came from the separator spout, was run through a small hair sieve on its way to the cream can, the foam would be all obliterated or diffused, and in the cream can it would be solid cream. Everyone who uses a separator finds that the foam or froth on the cream is a serious matter at times, and that the running of the cream on

with brief intervals for meals, fills in their day, I and again in the evening another round of traps is made so as to take up any rabbits caught since the morning's setting. All that has to be done before the day's work is finished. When it is considered they are isolated in back-blocks living in tents and sod huts, eating ' tucker ' of the most ordinary description, enough has been said to prove they are not by any means fit subjects for the further economic proposals made by the New Zealand Agricultural Company." According to the Melbourne Leader a farmer near Warrnambool obtained 750 bushels of Algerian oats from 10 acres of land. This was looked upon as a grand return, but it has since been eclipsed by that obtained on rather po or land near Mount Gambier — viz., 80 bushels to the acre. The Algerian is an early oat and a rapid grower. It cannot be disputed (writes the Adelaide Observer) that butter that is properly made under the old system is better flavoured at first than that made from cream taken at once from the milk by aid of the separator. But the stronger and nicer flavour is due to chemical changes in the milk whilst standing in the pans. It is only here and there amongst the multitude of makers from pan set cream that one can make a superior artiole, and even that butter will not maintain its good character for long ; but nearly all butter made from separated milk is pure, clean, wholesome, and long-keeping, and wherever the maker understands the process of "ripening" the cream it is of good flavour. The factory-made butter generally averages 2d to 3d per lb more than ordinary farm butter, and almost always realises double the price of store lots and butter that is brought in by produce dealers. We (Waimea Plaina Review) understand that rumours are being assiduously circulated to the effect that the Southland Frozen Meat Company have been unable to get sufficient mutton to implement their contracts for shipping purposes. We have the best authority for stating that such is not the case ; that, indeed, the company have shipped far more than they contracted for. For the first steamer they undertook to Bhip 8000 carcases, instead of which they actually sent 13,000, or 5000 more than the contract number. On Monday night (says the Chriatchurch Press) Mr S. Garforth, of Spreydon, had two valuable rams killed and others injured by some person or persons evidently possessed of a spirit of wanton cruelty. Mr Garforth I has a large number of flock and stud rams run-

ferior quality 'grain. The ears appeared to be well filled when standing in the field, bub ib seems that blight and rust checked tbe growth of the grain at the critical period, and ib never properly matured. A shortage in yield, combined with low prices, is a gloomy prospect for many of the farmers, in view of which Mr R. Meredith, member for Ashley, has written to the Premier suggesting that some relief might be given if the Railway Commissioners could be influenced by the Cabinet to reduce the haulage rates on grain for the nexb three months by 33 per cent., or at least 25 per cent.

The Stock department of New South Wales has, according to the Sydney Mail, issued a progress report showing the estimated number of sheep and cattle in the country. The total of stock returned is 466,755 horses, 2,076,472 cattle, 55,498,749 sheep, and the estimated total of stock not yet returned, 15,116 horses, 51,636 cattle, 710,500 6heep, making the grand total returned and. estimated at January 1894, 481,871 horses, 2,128,108 cattle, 56,209,249 sheep. This contrasts with the 1893 returns, when the numbers were — 481,416 horses, 2,147,074 cattle, 58,080,114 sheep. The statement shows a slight increase in the number of horses for the year 1893, as compared with 1892, and a decrease in the number of cattle and sheep for the same period. The decrease of cattle, as reported from 29 districts, is attributed to the fact that owners in many cases ceased breeding on account of the low prices obtainable. Besides, large numbers left the districts, having been sold, and were nob replaced. The returns show that tbe sheep have decreased in 46 districts. The reasons given are the unusual large numbers boiled down, a large number of owners stopped breeding, and Ba'.e3 and deaths from various causes. Of the late weevil episode in Timaru the local Herald nays :— •• We offer the following information to those people in Timaru who have made most fuss about the weevils, and have spread stories about their eating the contents of larders, biting children, and playing other disagreeable games. There are very numerous species of weevils, distributed all over the world, but every species, without exception, feeds upon vegetable food and nothing else. The particular weevil which has caused the annoyance in Timaru is the corn weevil (Calandra. granaria), which feeds exclusively on graiD, but is said to be fonder of barley than of •wheat. When disturbed in the mill, tbe weevils travelled, and probably got into one or two houses or perched on the adjacent fences. The evicted wretches were looking for a new settlement. If any of them found their way to a sack of grain they, of course, made themselves welcome ; but if they were nob so fortunate, it is absolutely certain that their fate was sealed. The corn weevil mu9fc have its grain food, or its dajs are numbered. The people who are principally interested in this weevil incident are the millowners and others who store grain. They should certainly profit by the lesson which ib teacbea. Every corner of a grain store should be carefully examined and cleanf-d periodically. If that is not done weevils are sure to make their appearance, and experiences proves that they are not easily got rid of if once they establish themselves in force atuougat grain. But notwithstanding all precautions, the greatest cleanliness, and the destruction of all wheat in which the pest is found, the annual loss from the ravages of the weevil in any corn-growing country is enormous." A Taranaki paper says: — "It's all butter with us. We live on butter ; we pay our debts with butter, and tbe whole place from beginning to end is butter. Why, even our breakwater has to be paid for out of butter." A shearer named W. Martin sued the manager of Horsely Downs station for £13 Is Bd, made up of loss of shearing 1000 sheep and loss of board and lodging during term of shearing. The shearing was discontinued owing to wet weather, and plaintiff was re-engaged to shear again, but after shearing one sheep he was dismissed because he had left another station before completing his contract. The magistrate gave judgment for £7 sj, and 17s board. — North Otago Times. There is (says ,tbe Timaru Herald) a good breadth of oats and wheat still standing on the Pareora Flat, and on one or two places on Seadown. Some of the oats are dried ripe, and being most effectively threshed by the small birds. On Saturday carting and stacking was pretty general throughout the district, and we noticed that several of the farmers were building small stacks — a mott effective precaution considering the wet weather of late. Here and there grain in stook is quite black in appearance, and the paddocks surrounding them are bright green with feed. The latter is abundant everywhere, and the variable season is'markedly seen by the rapid growth in all plantations. The applications for the 29 small farms, into which the Government have divided the Pornahaka Downs estate, recently purchased from Mr John Douglas, closed on Tuesday afternoon at the Crown Lands Office, at Duucdin, and also at Clinton. The total area available for selection on lease iv perpetuity was 7266 acres of agricultural land, in eectious ranging in size from 88 to 303 acres. The number of applications received at the Dunedin office was 43, made by 42 persons, and the number of sections applied for by them was nine, comprising a total area of 2167 acres, and representing an annual return to the Crown of £384 15s lOd. There were one application each for sections 2 and 59, nine applications for section 51, and seven for section 58 in block X, five applications for section 50 in block XI, four for section 20 in block XIII, and seven for section 6, one for section 7, and eight for section Bin block XIV. An officer of the department was present at Clinton yesterday to assist applicants in filling in forms and to afford information to those desirous of obtaining it, but a telegram received from him in the afternoon stated that only five applications had been received there. The message did not, however, »i.atf whirh the sections were, or what the area was for which applications had been mad<\