AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2265, 29 July 1897, Page 14

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

The Mataura Dairy Factory Company have (the Ensign reports) accepted the proposal of Mr J. B. MacEwan to erect piggeries at their factory to accommodate 320 pigs, and have given him a right to the output of whey for three years, subject to the approval of the Borough Council. There is some dissatisfaction in Wairarapa with the working of the Stock Act, and a deputation is to wait on the Minister for Agriculture. The Stock department etates that do more harshness is shown in this district than in others. The inspector is simply enforciog the provisions of the act as to dipping for the protection of those who keep their flocks clean. A writer in the Southland Times says: — " Unless something that we cannot foresee takes place cattle grazing is not going to be so profitable as it has been, although it has been none too good for some time ; bub at present prices it will hardly pay, although , a few prime beasts will touch nearly 20s per 1001b yet. Cow beef, or anything not quite' finished, sells at prices which caa neither pay breeder nor fattener, and at this season of the year, when a little rise was expected, there does not seem to be any quickening of the market. I doa'fc think beef has been so low for 20 years, or s'nee meatpreserving started — or even then — as they gave 15s per 1001b for very inferior beef and 16s 8d for beef fattened oiy Eoglish grass. Surely it would pay to re*ume preserving at present prices, as very good beef could be got at from 12s 6d to 15s. I saw some sold at even less than that last autumn." The absence of rain (fays the North Otago Times) is beginning to assume a serious aspect. With a few exceptions the seed sown has made no progress, and until rain com?s it is useless sowing the land that is waiting for seed. Spring sown wheat is invariably a crop much inferior to that sowu in the autumn ; bat no wheat crop can be a, profitable one that has not a well-saturated subsoil to draw upon for sustenance. The subsoil is as dry as ashes at the present time, and it will therefore rake a heavy raiu to reach it. Unless that rain falls soon it will be too late for even- spring sown crops. The Wyndham Farmer reports that Mr George Dawaon, of Bdendxle, has been appointed manager of the Normanby Dairy Factory. The Clutha Leader is informed that negotiatiations are in progress for establishing a rabbit factory in Balclutha or the immediate neighbourhood. It is understood that the- Department of Agriculture will probably ask legislative authority next session to prevent the export of three-milled bntter.