AN EXPERIMENT IN BREEDING FREEZERS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2111, 9 August 1894, Page 11

AN EXPERIMENT IN BREEDING FREEZERS.

(Brimi, in the Australasian.)

HAMPSHIRE-DOWN GRADES.

Of the modern races of mutton sheep that have been evolved by the skill of British husbandmen, the one known as Hampshire Downs is probably held in the highest esteem for its early maturity combined with quality and weight of mutton. This well-known breed is the result of a series of crossings between two ancient breeds of local sheep and the Southdown. The old breeds were known in Hampshire for very many years ; they were extremely hardy and thrifty, and they yielded a fairly good but light carcase of mutton. The Southdown gave them better form and improved the quality of the mutton, wbile the produce of the cross was considerably larger than the pure Southdown. An interesting article on the formatioa of this modern breed of sheep is given in " Sheep Breeds and Management," being the first of the " Live Stock Handbooks, "from which I learn that c it was not till 18b7 that classes we c awarded to the Hampshire Downs by the Royal Agricultural Society of England, when tha annual show was held at Salisbury. That the Hampshires have inherited a large share of the hardihood of their ancestors may be gathered from the following instance given in " Sheep Breeds and Management." Mr Craster, of Craster Tower, bred a flock of purs Hampshires on his estate, which is situated on the bleak east co-st of Northumberland. They throve well and gave every satisfaction under the most unfavourable circumstances, and from this fact we may fairly assume that they posscs3 a hardihood equ'tl to that of any other race of sheep in Britain . The Hampshires have been provtd to mature cs quickly ss any other race of British sheep up to 12 mouths of age, and this characteristic renders them valuable sheep for producing lambs for the market In their native district they are largely used for feeding between hurdles, for which they are admirably adapted.

A SUCCESSFUL CROSS.

It was no doubt their quality of early maturity, combined with their large frame and good yield of wool, that induced Mr W. M'Culloch to import a few specimens of the Hampshire Down breed to Victoria in 1888. The sheep were selected from the flocks of Mr T. ]?. Buxton, of Waters-place, Hants, and Mr J Hughes, of Longstock, Hants. imported sheep were established at Mertoun Park, where they have been used for raising crossbred lambs for the market. Some Victorian farmers had the foresight to purchase the crossbred ewe lambs at fat prices, and these they have put to pure sires obtained from the Mertoun Park stud. From what I have heard of this cross, the result is most satisfactory, the produce having all the characteristics of the pure sheep in a marked degree. The Mertoun Park stud flock now numbers 153, all told. As tho advantages of raising prime lambs for the English market became apparent, Mr M'Culloch sent some young rams to Warbrt-ccan with the view of trying a series of experiments with the sheep on that estate. The experiments were by no means as favourable for the Hampshires as they might have been — indeed, it may be eaid that they were rather unfairly treated in being put to ewes of a moderate description. The result has been a marked success, and Mr M'Culloch is so satisfied with what has been done that he intends breeding largely to the Hampshire Down and grade rams next season.

LAMBS FOR ENGLISH MARKET,

The Hampshire-merino lambs raised on the fine pastures of Warbreccan developed rapidly, and the majority of them were sent away as fat lambs. Last year 800 of these crossbred lambs realised 10s 6d iv the Melbourne market. Some were sent to England, but they arrived at the wrong time of the year. I saw some of tbese sheep that were cot drafted ss fats. They have much the appearance of Southdowns, but are larger in frame. At first one is apt to regard them as small sheep, but when handled this is found to be a mistake. They are very low set, aud they have remarkably well-sprung ribs As mutton sheep I fancy they could scarcely be beaten for the Melbourne market. Whether their flesh would not be too datk for them to realise the highest price in the English market I cannot say, not having seen one slaughtered. The greatest success in cro sing with the Hampshire rams has been in using them with Lincoln-merino ewes. 1 n the ewes of this cross the .strong individuality of each of the parent breeds is broken up, and the produce by Hampshire rams take strongly after tbe sire. The down character iv form and quality is very pronounced. This cross wi.l be largely'used at Warbreccan for raising prime lambs for the English market, as, in addition to th ir other good qualities, they come at a more suitable time for shipping than the produce of the Hampshiremerino cross.

CROW TO HEAVY WEIGHTS,

A suia'l lot of ewes by Hampshire sires from Lincoln-merino ewes were put to pure Hampshire last season, and I had an opportunity of examining the produce. At fitst I was under the impression tlut the majority of the lambs were dark ileeced, but tnis, I was informed, is a characteristic of the H^m; shire bre d A few weeks after birth thed-rk appearance in the fleece begins to disappear, while the legs and face become of a m > c pronounced dark hue Tbe lambs were remarkably robust and of great size for their age. \~ w.s evident that the ewes were r_.re iril'-ers, lur the lambs, besides being well grown, were very fat. This grade will, I f'-ncy, b- held in even higher est mation by the British consumer than the produ c of Hampshire rams and Lincoln-merino ewes Of th'j lat er I saw a small lot of rams and wether-, four-tojth and two-too'h Some of the four-tooth grade rams were really grand anima's for size, shape, and ttyle, and though no sheepfarmer would take them for pure sheep, yet no one could look on them v vhoutadmiration.l regretted muchthat wehad no opportunity of ascertaining their true weight, and lam afraid to hazard a guess. In all these sheep tte type of the Hampshire Down was very pronounced, and there were very few indications of the breeds from which the dams were domed Oce of the youngest wether? was se'ected, and put in the buggy for the final experiment to which a mutton sheep is submitted Ho was a very taken animal, p.-st 18 moutlis old, having b en a cli-iim- summer lamb. Tn Wvol, form, and cariiage he was a down all over. When taken to the steading he was slaughtered, and, though good but by no means prime mutton, his dressed carcase weighed 641b. This is a splendid return for a sheep of that ag j tbat has bad the severe handicap against him of being a summer lamb. With the next two months' feed, I tVul satisthat he would have gained from 121b to 15!b.

QUAUTV OK rilK MUTTON-

Of the quality of the mutton of this sheep I can speak from that besb of all tests— the eating. The meat was like that of all clown

sheep, there being a large proportion of lean to the fat ; the bone was small, notwithstanding his sturdy, thick-set frame. If such mutton as this can be sent to the English market in any quantity (and I see nothing to prevent it), then Riverina need not f ">r the compc'ition of other lands in supply lug the old country with prime mutton. I *hiiik tho instance I have given is sufliciei 1 o show that wethers of: the down cross can bo raised on Riverina pastures that can be sent to England of good weights and in prime condition before they are four-tooths, whilo the quality of the mutton should ensure the highest price in the markets. When the Deuiliquin freezing works arc [established I feel satisfied there will be a good market for such mutton in Melbourne ; but that remark would apply to all Riverina mutton.

QUALITY OF THE WOOL.

In connection with this business of raising freezers for exportation there is the question of the fleece, which will ever be a matter of serious consideration with the Australian pastoralist. In making inquiries on this subject I was much surprised to find that last yeir the lambs of the Hampshire cross yielded 31b 4oz of wool, while those of the Lincoln cross cut only 21b 15oz, the ages of both loti being about the same. The wool realised an average of B£d per lb. In each instance the dams were fair merino breeding ewes, and the sires purebed Hampshires and Lincolos. Notwithstanding this result I feel satisfied that as yearlings or older, the sheep of the Lincoln cross will cut much heavier fleeces than those of the Hampshire cro-s, but there will probibly be a i,reat superiority in the mutton of the Hampshire grade over tbat of the longwool grade. ' Whether this higher quality of mutton will compensate for the deficiency of wool remains to be seen. The result of the first shipment of freezers of the Hampshire grades from Warbreccan will be a matter of great interest to aheepbreeders all over Australia. NEW ZEALAND DAIRY FARMERS' COOPERATIVE COMPANY. A special meeting of the shareholders of the New Zealand Dairy Farmers' Co-operative Company was held in Watson's Hotel on Friday afternoon. Mr W. R. Cameron (chairman of directors) presided, and there were about 150 present. The Chairman stated that the meeting had been called to receive a report on the position of the company and to discuss the question of the withdrawal of the petiticn for $he liquidation of the coinpaijy. The report w«*B tnen read by tl c Chairman, as was one by the auditor (Mr W. Brown). Mr R. Hudson spoke at length, and referred

to the hopeful nature of the futuro prospect's of the company. He stated that the thanks of the shareholders were due to the Bauk of New Zealand for the very hearty support it had accorded to the company during the period of its d-.fficulties in the past, and in allowing the company to have a free hand in reorganising itn business without pressing for calls. He moved — " That Mr Came- on be requested to take steps towards the withdrawal of the petition for liquidation." Mr W. Nicholson (Hampden) seconded the motion, and in doing so endorsed the remarks of Mr Hudson. Messrs Adam Adamson (Otepopo), Colehan (North-East Harbour), Walter Park (Waitati), Raich (Waitati), A. Anderson, and several others also spoke, Mr Park making special mention of the capable manner in which M; Cameron had managed the company's affairs. The motion was then unanimously c.irried, and the meeting terminated with a vote of thanks to the chair. CROWN LANDS REPORT. Tho annual report on the operation of the Lands and Survey department for the 12 months ended on the 31st March last, shows that the transactions during the year, ps compared with those in the previous year, were : —

The fact that the selections under the lease in perpetuity system were much more numerous than under any other was, it is pointed out, duo to the fact that special settlement associations, village settlements, and village homestead special settlements can only be selected under that tenure ; and in order to arrive at an approximate idea of the system of tenure \\Lieh is most popular the rural lauds dealt with under Part 111 of the Act are referred to with tbe result that there are shown: — Caeh selections 249, lease iv perpetuity 447, occupation with right of purchase 4bl. The latter system seems to be favoured in the Auckland district more than in any other part of the colony, this b^ing probably due to the low value of the lands in that district wbile the lea=e in perpetuity system sennas to be. a favourite with the public in all oihor districts but Auckland. The total number of selections of land on all systems was 2876, but if 337 purchases or selections of miscellaneous leaseb aud licenses which cannot in

all cases be included in permanent settlement, 85 pastoral leases, and 173 town sections, are deducted, the number of settlers who may be considered as having selected for the purpose of occupying the land was 2281, a decrease of 161 on the same figures for the previous year. The total number of selections under all headings, as compared with the previous year, showed a decrease of 195 selections, the figures being 3071 in 1893 against 2876 in 1894-. The decrease in the number of selectors is attributed to the fact that the area of Crown lands to select from was very much Icfb, and often very inaccessible. In order to arrive at the average size of the holdings taken up, the systems representing more or less close settlement, in which the soil is the mainstay of the selector, were considered, with the result that the average came out at 194 acres : that for the previous year being 190. In these figures are included the special settlement associations in which the average size of sections must by law be 200 acres. By including small grazing runs and the Cheviot grazing farms, which may properly be included in the term "settlement lands," an averagesized eection is got of 292 acres. The mean prices at which lands, exclusive of the Cheviot estate and lands acquired under the Laud for Settlements Act, were disposed of during the past year were : For cash, 139 per acre ; ior occupation with the right of purchase, 14s 9d per acre ; for lea«e in perpetuity, 17s 6d per acre — prices which do uot differ materially from those of the year before. The area of land?, both surveyed and unfiiirveyed, thrown open for selection, was 1,045,652 acres of town, suburban, aud rural lands, aud 1,747,129 acres of pastoral lauds. Tho approximate area of Crown lands remaining, exclusive, of any pastoral leases which may fall in and prove suitable for sm«l'er sftfleratat, is about 11,000,000 acres, but, not more tb.in 4,000,000 acres of this can be utilised for settlement or pastoral purposes. A rough approximation of the lauds remaining in the hands of the Natives in the North Island gives about 8,000.000 acres as having passed, and about 2,260,000 as -having not passed, the Land Court. It is probable that 3,000,000 acres is an rutside limit of the areaot this country that is suitable for settlement. The lauds selected by the Midland Railway Company under their contract with the Government up to the 31st March was 282,329 acres, exclusive of 84,262 acres held in trust.

The arrears of rent due to the Crown showed a decrease in the number of selectors, but no decrease in the total amount, the arrears in 1894- being £32,205 owed by 3104 selectors, againbt £28,875 owed by 3382 selectors in 1893. As the result of revaluations there had been a total loss in capital values of £169,085, and in rentals of £2448. During the past year 5311 acres had

been added to tho area of State forests, making the total area, reserved at 31st March 1,141,778 acres. The offers of eßtates under " The Land for Settlements Act 1892 " numbered 102. covering a total area of 913,266 acres, but the great majority of these had to be declined because they contained land which could not be divided into farms of 320 acres. The Board of Land Purchase Commissioners recommended 10 properties for purchase, but in four cases the owners declined the offers made to them. The fivo elites purchased contained 9113 acres, and tbe total cost, including purchase, survey, administration, and roading was £39,117 12s lOd. The total rental for which these lands were let to date was bringing in a return of 4 - 57 per cent, on the whole, whilst tho^e cases in which the whole of the farms were let were paying over 5£ per cent. When all the land^ were let the return would be 58 per cent, on the < xpenditure.

The report by tbe Commissioner of Crown Lands for the Otp.fjo district states that the year's experience of tho new laud laws had proved the leaee in perpetuity system to be tbe most popular in consequence of the low r ;nlal, the essy terms of acquisition, and the security of the tenure. It had bsen sbo'-vn, too, that small graziug runs of fair pastoral land in good-sized areas at moderate or low rentals were eagerly taken up. There had been effered during the year under the various t>j steins a t >tal of 582,417 acres, iv addition to the? areas previously opened and not disposed <>f. Revaluations in respfct of 45 small holdings bai produced a reduction of £32.248 0s 4d in capital value and an annual loss of £436 6s lid, tlvid : —

The appendices to thn report contain a good deal of interesting information to touri&ts and oVners. The most important work in tbe way of exploration was that made by Messrs T. Macketzie, M.H.8., W. Earnshr.w, M H.R . ;> r d I'illan.% in the couufcty sonfj-weR 1 -. of Lhke Manapouri. Reference i"; matin to the* accent of Ruapehu by Mr Dunnage of tbc Survey staff, wha brought back a tine photograph of the crater-lake on top of the mountain. Messrs C. E. Douglas aud A. P. Harper have bee: 1 ea£?.ged for some time vaat in Westland in explorations of the western slope of the Southern Ah>s and in trying to discover a pass over the Alp« which would be practicable as a tourist route between the neighbourhood of the Hermitage, Mount Cook, and the glaciers on the west side o? the mouutainn. So far they have not huccredpcl in tiuriiu<: hin-h a pkh>, hu'

I they have gained much valuable knowledge concerning the glaciers and gorges of that region. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. The uowly-clecied General Committee of the Otago A. aud P. Association appear determined that the affairs of the society (shall nob suffer from lack of energy on their part. The whole of the members were accouuted for at the meeting held oil Saturday with the exception of Messrs Saiel, Campbell, and C. S. Raid, who are, we are sorry to say, at present laid aside by illness. It is only one week since the members of this committee were elected, and they have already appointed all the sub-committees for fche year, elected canvassers for the town and country, and nominated the judges for the forthcoming Summer show, which is to be held on the 28th and 290h November (race week). The Ground Committee are instructed to make proper arrangements for thG purpose of carrying out the jumping contests — similar, we believe, to those held at the Christshurch show. This should prove oue of the most popularattractions. At the suggestion of the secretary it was decided that the Programme Committee should during the week sit at night and prepare a draft programme for approval at next; general meeting. This will allow the catalogues to be distributed much earlier than in former years, and give exhibitors ample time to prepare their stock for th'^show. The Government (says 'hz North Obago Times) will have to hurry up with their cheap money fcchenu 1 , or they will be out of it altogether in this district. Tho other day the sum of £60,000 was advertised to be loaned at 5 and 6 per cent. Already £35,000 has been applied tor. We may mention thad tho Government's intention to borrow to lend at 5 per cent, did not induce a reduction in the rute of interest in this instance! for the money is not New Zealand money at all, but is, we believe, sent out from the old country.

The St. Petersburg correspondent of the Daily Telegraph writes: — " Ib seems well-nigh incredible that a people who, two years ago, were in the throes of a famine, and publicly offered up prayers to heaven for an abundant harvest, should be now concerting measures for the purpose of counteracting tho effects of the wished-for abundance. But it is none theiess true ; and, stranger still, some organs of the press, in reply to the question, 'Should the corn be reaped ?' have deliberately given it as their opinion that ' for numerous districts it would be advisable to solve this problem in the negative.' Nay, more, it now appears that many landowners refused last year to gather in the harvest, and are determined not to remove it this year

either. One landlord, for instance, who owns a large estate near Odessa, and whose facilities for export are therefore exceptionally numerous, foreseeing the fall of prices, purchased 1000 sheep and unhesitatingly turned them into his fields of wheat. He is said to be so satisfied with the result that he m. ens to do likewise now that a further fall in prices is probable. The Odessa Novosti, a journal which is usually very well informed upon agricultural questions, has published a series of articles to show that to gather in the harvest this year would be tantamount to throwing < good money after bad, for it can only be done at a heavy loss to farmers. A pood (361b) of barley, for instance, when it reaches the port of Nikolaiff from the neighbouring Government of Poltava, costs the producer 36^ copeckq, whereas the market price is at present 34 copeck 1 ), and is bound to become Icps as soon as the abundance of this year's harvest ii generally known." A correspondent signing < > I <i .s '■!" ■ 'X i ;:i \ Plains " receutly e'ebcriked in tin, \\'z.m. a, Plains Review a case of mysterious ear-mark-ing in sheep, which is thus explained in the last number of the Review: — "A correspondent signiDg himself ' Upper Waikaia ' writes : — About 12 or 14 years ago I was caking delivery of a flock of the Burwood sheep. I noticed while drafting them a very peculiar ear-mark, the ear .appearing to have been torn as described by ' Waimea Plains,' and ib teemed fco me to have been newly made. I mentioned the matter to the station manager, as it evidently was not a legitimate ear-mark, and he blamed his shepherd's dogs, paying he thought ifc must be their work. On the way home I again remarked tho ear-maik at ThoruhiU's station when yarding the sheep for tho night, and this time I accused the drcvors, dicljrirg their dogs must have done it. This they indignantly denied, and the matter seemed unaccountable, quite puzzling me a 6 to its origin While fording the New River near Lumcden I noticed Borne sheep with the mysterious mark freshly made. This increased my perplexity, and again I was incliued to blame tho dogs ; but I determined to w.itck closc-ly aud get to the bottom of the business. Whilst crowing the Longridge ttream, still watching the dogs nairowly, I saw a nheep with a bleeding ear well into the mob. That pet the dog theory at rest, and I wondered whether the sheep could have struck some object. lat once sent the dog round the flock, when suddenly I noticed a wether jumping and at the same time a piece of ear dropped from his mouth. Here then was the mystery solved ; but I determined to make sure of it, so I immediately jumped from my horse, caught the sheep, which had been the ghostly ear-marker, and put a strap round its neck as a special mark. I watched this i fh- pp for feirnp Mtoi «.nrJ saw him rt<pfar. t,hr '>

operation at least 20 times in tho course of two days. He had marked fully 200 out of a flock ot 6000 during the journey between Burwood and Waimea. I killed the wether for mutton when I was fully satisfied that it was the demon. It was iv good condition, well bred, and with no peculiar appearance. I found it caught the sheep generally on tho off ear aud tuba piece from the inner skin, tearing off the skin from the top of the car aud leaving a ragged b-vck half as described by • Waimea Plains.'"

That the sheep pays more for the food ib consumes than the ox was clearly shown iv experiments made by Sir J. B. Lawes tj determine the percentage of food utilised by different animals. Of the dry food consumed he found that sheep stored up in increased weight 12 per cent., while cattle laid up in increased weight only 8 per cent. That is, B|lb of dry food increased the weight of sheep as much as 12£lb would increase the weight of cattle. On the proposal to license stallions the Adelaide Observer writes :— " In each of the Australasian colonies there is a strong feeling amoDgat the leaders in agricultural progre?a that something should ba done to improve tho breed of horses. It is certain that a good market could be found in India for great numbers of horses of a good stamp, but such horses at present are only procurable in small numbers. The most feasible proposition apparently is that of imposing a license fee upon all entire horses, the license to be granted only to sound horses which have been first examined by a qualified veteriuary surgeon. The license fees, it has been suggested, might either be given in bonuses to horses travelling any fixed district, or better still, awarded as champion prizes in each class of horae stock. There cannot be any improvement iv horse stock uutil we. get a much better class of stallions."

It is not generally known that feeding potatoes with long sprouts to cattle is a very dangerous practice. The sprouts contain a poifion — solanin — which actß injuriously on the nervous system. Such shoots should be removed. Animals so poisoned lose their appetite, leave their food, and stand with stiff legs and hanging head. The eyes stare aud the pulse is quickened. The animals lose control over their muscles, and there may be wind, colic, or diarrheca.

Mr Charles D'Ebro, who has been to New Zealand inquiring into the methods and machinery employed at the meat-freezing establishments, is of opinion (the Sydney Mail reports) that, although the machinery in many cases is very fine from a mechanical point of viiw, it is obsolete, owing to recent improvements. This is especially the case in the machines where the compression and expansion of gases other than air are used, and where the cold is distributed either by radiation from tanks and pipes, or by fans forcing cold air produced by the machine as a refrigerator. Mr D'Ebro found that the former system was mostly iv favour, and although he saw one of the Lmde Company's machines doing excellent work at Wellington, and another at Patea, the largest works in Canterbury have adopted Hall's carbonic anhydride machine, and this machine is also in use in two other leading establishments, and will shortly he on a large scale at the Gear Company's works, Wellington. The saving in coal by the introduction of this machine is three-fourths of that used by the old cold air machines, and even in small works of 500 per day this means possibly over £1000 psr annum, while there is less labour in attention, oil, &c.

Mr C. E. Ely, manager of Mielands, Welshpool, in South Gippsland, is a strong believer in ensilage made from maize ard amber cane for dairy cows. He finds that this excellent winter fodder can be both cheaply and easily made. He describes his plan as follows :— Fix four posts (lft in diameter), on which are nailed slabs, the space between the slabs (lft) beirig rammed with stiff clay, thus making it perfectly air-tight. Put about 16in of straw at the bottom of the pit, and about 12in on top ; cover same with boards or loose earth, and weight well with posts or logs, and roof it to keep off the rain.

A Victorian farmer writes to the Leader :—: — "A few days ago I had a conversation with a farmer of Danish nationality, who is the owuer of 300 acres of land not far from DandenoDg. As he iutends to sell his property arid return to his native land, I asked him his reasons for leaving the colony. I suggested that he had probably made his fortune here, and now intended to return from his exile in order to spend the remainder of his life in comfort and ease in the land of his birth. His reply was characteristic, and in substance as follows :—: — 1 To begin witb,' he said, ' I most emphatically ttate that nothing but tbe fact that progressive dairy farming does not pay here is the cause of my leaving Australia I have a thorough knowledge or the butter industry, and have now for 11 years, with the assistance of my two sons, endeavoured fco make a living for myself and my family, intending to settle here for good. It is with sincere regret I have arrived at the fact that the return to me for my butter is such that my expenses are just barely covered, and as it seems to me that prices in the near future are likely to fall further still, I am reluctantly forced to once more change my home. My butter is certainly not inferior to the best Danish, and I must confess being not a little disgusted on looking over my accom-ts for the p%st year and finding that 6£rl per lb is Iho ncL average price I have obtained, while, a.b tbe same time, I kuow as a f.'.c'j that my countrymen .".fc home h&ve gob abuafc Is 3d per lb, les.-> 2 p"v ccut. cemmisbion. I do not hesitate to say that the middleman is the bane of the farmer in this colony.' "

Accordicig to Mr Whittall, of Rockhampton, a peculiar re ode of jndgiug potatoes exists in Queensland. At a recent meeting of the local agricultural society Sir Whittill stated that at tho late show the judging ot the potatoes had given disiatis f acUon. It had consisted in cultiug a potato from each exhibit in two, aod rubbing the pic ces to t i(-tht v ; an rl the man who ow;.ud the pieces that adhered to each other the best got the prize. He did not know whether that was the proper test ; but if it were ifc was desirable the farmers should knovv it. He moved that Proftr.sor ?helton be requested to provide the society with a standard by which to judge potatoes.

The Frankfurter Zeitung states that Profe6scr Koch's tuberculine, which failed to answer its original purpose, has proved valuable for inoculating cattle against tubercular diseascß. A meetiug of the Agricultural Association of tho Saale district was held at Halle at which ouo of the speakers announced that extensive experiments had been made, and that of the inoculations 84 - 65 per cent;, had given po-sitive nud only 15 - 35 negative results. As the process, however, was very costly, the Central Agri-

cultural Luague or the province had addressed a ptt'uion to the Prussian Miuister for Agriculture requesting him to provide for the sale of tuberculine at a cheaper rate Herr yon Heydeu is cvi iently impressed with the irnporcance of the experiments, for he has iulormed the association, througfe the Berlin Veterinary Institute, that the latter is henceforward ready to supply the injeotions at cost price.

The Australasian publishes a memorandum regarding the export of meat, poultry, hares, and rabbits which has been prepared by the Victorian Department of Agriculture for the information of intending shippers, from which we make the following extract : — " In consequence of the encouragement received by this department from the result of last season's shipments of poultry, rabbits, hares, game, &c, it has been decided to continue this season shipments of the same kind ; as also of mutton, lamb, veal, and pork. Produce of the kinds mentioned will be received at the City Freezing Works, Flinders street, Melbourne, on or after the following dates, although in the case of lambs a few might be forwarded during October and November : — "Rabbits and hares ... Ist August 1894 Turkeys and geese ... Ist October 1894 Ducks and fowls ... Ist January 1895 Mutton and lamb ... lßt December 1891 Veal and pork ... Ist October 1894.

Persons desirous of shipping mutton, lamb, or veal must give notice before consigning to the department, which will undertake to receive, store, bag, label, freeze, and ship, at a cost of 5d per head, to be paid by shipper, together with freight, before obtaining delivery of bills of lading."

The Melbourne Weekly Times informs as that Mr Brown, late of the Dookie Agricultural College, is under engagement to several agricultural societies to act professionally as single judge in cattle, sheep, pigs, and dairy produco. Mr Brown holds forth as an inducement his abilities to give publicly before the winning exhibits leave the ring reasons for his verdicts. This, we fear, would prolong judging to greater length than the few hours usually set apart for the task.

The Sydney Mail's Crookwell correspondent reports that some months ago the Now South Wales Stock Department ordered a test of an alleged remedy for fluke and worms in sheep, discovered by Mr Hugh M'Cormack, of Wheeo. Several sheep very badly affected and nearly dead were selected for the test, which was conducted under the supervision of Mr J. L. Henderson, stock inspestor for the district, a few days ago. Mr Henderson killed four of the sheep which had been treated by M'Cormack, and found them perfectly healthy and fit for the butcher. The wool was also improved. The remedy is simple and inexpensive.

The question of the advisability of having protection to hawks removed came up for discus sion at Friday's meeting of the council of the North Otago Acclimatisation Society. Mr A. Thomson said it was impossible to rear poultry of any kind in the country districts. He knew of one instance where 200 chickens were taken away by hawks, and he thought no protection should be afforded hawks ou cultivated land, whatever might be done in the back country Hawks were increasing everywhere. One could not go to a farmhouse without hearing complaints of the destructiveness of hawks. Mr Duncan Sutherland said hawks did little good as des'royers of rabbits, and it was impossible to rear chickens or turkey broods for them. Mr G. Dennigon said the grey ducks were also harried by hawks, and many of their young taken. Mr Sutherland said the skins of the poisoned rabbits were often much torn by hawks. Mr Bruce said he had also been a sufferer by hawks. Mr Aitken thought, now that the matter had been brought up, that the combined Waitaki and Waimate societies should discuss the matter at their annual meeting next Thursday. Mr Thomson thought the subject could not be dealt with too strongly. It was decided to leave the matter to be discussed at the annual meeting.

As showing (says the Weekly Press) that small farmers can compete successfully in the manufacture of cheese, it may be mentioned that Mr George Wright, of Okain's Bay, sent Home by the Kaikoura, through Messrs Steeds and Co., a small shipment, and the returns rece ved by the last matl show that it realised 56s per cwt.

1893. 1894. No. Area. No. Area. Acres Acres Cafrh 627 3vS*2 500 31999 Deferred payment 198 21,474 9ti 12,lihS l'eipetual lease ... 549 125,192 17 3,^54 Occupation with right of purchase 161 54,271 471 108,499 Lease in perpetuity 9(51 212,701 1,228 255,348 Pastoral runs ... 119 1,104,220 227 895.915

] leduced capital value. .7 small-graziug runs... £3l 501 13 4 5 deferred payment ... 1,01112 6 S perpetual lease ... 1,209 2 0 .5 agricultural lease ... 1,102 12 0 Annual loss. £2ttt 5 10 25 0 2 24 18 6 117 2 5