FARM NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2284, 9 December 1897, Page 6

FARM NOTES.

Farmers' Fbospbkity in the United Status. I —Mr B. W. Snow, formerly Statistician to the j department of Agriculture, ban issued tables showing that the cash values of farm products have largely increased this year. At prices current in August the value of the' following products compares with the same month of last year as follows:— Wheat, 1897,"375,000.000dol ; 1896, 260 OOO.OCOdoI. Corn (maiz'.), 1897, 550,000,000dol ; 1896, 510,000.000d01. Oats, 1897, 152,000,000dol ; 1895, H0,00"0,000dol. Hog«, 1897, 233,000,000d0l ; 1896, 196,000,000d0J. Cattle, 1897, I.IG^OOO.OOOdoI ; 1896, 1,102,OOO.OOOdeI. Sheep, 1897, 70,000,0G0dol ; 1596, 61,000,000d0\. Totals, 1897, 2, 54-2.000, OOOdol ; 1896, 2,179,000,000d0l ;— increase, 363,000,000d01. Secretary Wilson is even more optimistic in hu estimate of the improved condition of the agricultural interests than Mr Snow. He estimates that the increased pries of farm products this year will amount to 500,000,000d01. Tho in- 1 creased vhluq of wheat alone he estimates at 75,000,000d0l as compared with last year. In reference to the general condition qf^gricnlture he says :: — •' Our statistics »how thst the wheat

acreage in 1896 was 3^,618,646,

the yield

427,08^,3^6 bushels, and the value 310,602,539- , dol. Of this crop about 5 per cent, remains. The average price is 72 6 cents per bushel, the highest since 1891, when it was 839 cents per bushel." Commenting on the probable effect of the revival of prosperity the Southern

Planter observes :—": — " Since

Ihcsa estimates

were mode the price of wheat has advanced to over a dollar a bushel, and of all other staples veiy materially, and we believe that these advances are based en souod premises and will be enduriDg. Such prosperity as this means to the f&rmer means still more to the general commerce of the country. Every branch of trade will feel its effects, and feeling it will take heart and launch out into extensions and developments of our resources, with increased employment for our working classes. Such developments and extensions will call for markets, end soon sweep away all protective tariffs and demand such an amendment of our currency laws »s will place us in a position to trade on the best terms with every nation in the world. A. nation with the iesources of this one cannot afford to be handicapped with antiquated devices for restricting trade, whether in the form of tariffs or of an unsouud financial system." A month later, in discussing the possibilities to American farmers should us much as 148,000,000 bushels of wheat be exported frol© tho United States -this year, the same authority points out that such a quantity exported, even if this year's crop amounts to 550,000,000 bushels, would leave less than the normal supply in the country required by the population and for seed ; therefore, " in the face of such a condition, it would seem to be wiie to provide for the seeding of & good acreage of wheat, but wo

would caution farmers not to be too liberal in

their calculations. Normal conditions of production may be expected to happen in at least tome, if not all, qf the competing countries next year, and thus interfere with our monopoly of the markets. What should be aimed at is not an increase of our wheat area, but a better preparation of the soil for and seeding pf a normal crop. With better preparation of the land we expect and hope to see a much; higher average yield, and in this way a better profit in production,"

Value of Wood Ashes.— Wood ashes being bo common and easily obtained are not valued or wed nearly to much as they ghould be, both as

a fertiliser and as a medicine for stock. The potash in the ashes increases the production of available plant food by inducing chemical action. It is espicially beneficial to a'K.leafy plant?, red cover in particular. It is also a suitableaud cheap manure for potatoes, peas, beans, or corn. As a medicine for animals many men hava proved ifc an efficient aid in pei serviug the health of all kinds of live stock. A mixture of three parts ashes and cturcoal to oce part silt is a valuable preventive Bg&iost dieeise in pigs. It »hould be kept where the pigs can always get to it, 'in a large cohered box, with holes 2in x 6iu near tho bottom. The pigs will work the mixture out of these holes as fast as they want it. There is no danger of them eating too much, and tho desirable effect it has in warding off cholera and other pig diseases should eosuce the consideration of pig-breeders. For horsss & little wood ashes mixed in their feed as a " condition powder " is of great benefit to them A tea3poonful given in oats or other food twice a week would do, but it js preferable to keep the allies and salt mixture before the horse, so that he can take it whenever ho feels inclined. Experience has shown that this mixture is beneficial, and if reasonable care is shown in handling a horde no other medicines are necessary.

Decorated Horses. — The time spent on a lady's toilet, say when she is dressing for a ball or a reception or other important social function, is generally understood to be very considerable, in additiou to which there is the time taken up thinking cii"; the details and accessories of the costume. But it will surprise many, as it did me, to learn that there is another toilet the time spent an which puts that of most Indies into the shade, and the details of the toilet are almost as numerous. Few people are aware of the time, thought, and money that tre expended on decking up a horse — an ordinary cart or farm horse — for a fair or an agricultural show. For weeks before the event the horse is carefully groomed, being combed and brushed until the gloss of its cuat is like satin, the tail and mane having special attention. Meantime, its owner or driver, as the case may be, is racking his brains for new designs in equine hairdressing and new ideas of o?namentation or striking combiuatious of colours. His "missus," if expert with the needle, is busy with tho bows and roeettes which figure so largely in a horse's dress toilet. The night before the eventfnl day is a busy one. Sometimes two or three men are up all night plaiting the tail and mane, fixing the decorations, oiling and shiniug up the reins and harness and decorating them and the whip in keeping with the horse. Then, in the morni»g, before the start, there is a final tidy-up, and the extremest care is taken that the artistic effect may not suffer while ou the way from wind, dust, or rain. Now, the expense oE all this is not inconsiderable. My informant, who has taken many prized iv his day at agricultural Bhows, country sports, and competitions in connection with Primrose League meetings, assured me that often about 30s worth of ribbon is used in decorating a horse that takes first priz?, and seldom is less expended than 14s or 15s. This, too, in face of the fact that the ficst prize only is of any value, the next rarely exceedirg 5«, and often being 2s 6cl. Here is surely an instance of a priz 3 being eonghb for the mere honour which it brings, and not for the money value thereof. By the way, the priza at a competition some time ago was taken by a horse with somewhat remarkable decorations. These consisted of the favours aad ribbons used by the friends and partisan. 1 , of a certain young nobleman who had been the successful candidate at a political election. In view of these facts anent the horse's toilet, I feel that henceforward I shall look with moid respect, and, possibly, increased appreciation, if not admiration, at the gaily bedecked horses at a show, or at a trades demonstration, or at the brilliant carters' procession on their annual holiday.

To Sharpen a Scythe.— Almost everyone knows how to sharpen a scythe the wrong way. It may be urged that it is not now a matter of much importance, since the machine ■ is in general use, but fodder for dairy cattle will always be cub with a scythe, and it is always satisfactory to get the best use out of any farm implement. The novice who has dragged the heart out of himself with a bad scythe in a heavy crop knows that very little of the wrong method goes a long way. The general plan is to hold the scythe point down, whereas the heel should always be farthest away, and the stone should cross the blade at an angle of about 45deg, A good edge may be given either way, but the difference lies in the fact; that when the fine teeth of the serrated edge run towards the point they grip and cut, while in the reverse direction the tendency is to skim over the stems and make a much heavier drag ou the heel of the scythe.