AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2430, 10 October 1900, Page 4

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Two gentlemen, well qualified to express an. opinion (Messrs Finn and Mill ward), referred vulh regret at the Wellington Industrial Association's dinnci on Saturday night, to tho fictitious prices at which land was being sold for dairying purpo.-es in the North Isla.nd f.fc tho present time. The latter kntsw oi cases asjt

Taranaki where laud had gone up to over £30 an acre, and said the average settler who gave that price was merely capitalising the labour cf his family. If prices went down, as they might do in consequence of competition any day, the result must prove disastrous to those who, with small means, had pur chased land at- fancy "pricei. Mr Mill ward pointed to South Africa and Russia as prospective rivals to Australasia in the butter and cheese industries.

Shearing operations hnve commenced in the M'lLon district (pays the Bruce Herald), a fine fleck of stud sheep belonging to Mr W. Ctvcj-, of Milburn, having already been relieved cf their wool.

At the annual meeting of the Victoria Dairymen's Association, die chairman (Mr R. Wightman) mentioned that the estimated production ot butter tor the coining year was 20,000 ton?.

The farmers attending the stock sales at Geraldine this week were all in good spiiits in anticipation of a good harvest, the crops throughout the district looking remarkably •well.

Owing to the drought, an Albury correspondent reports, most oi the stations on the plains nill fchear very much, less than their •carrying capacity.

During tlio post week reports received from Ceutral Queensland show that grass in many localities is springing well, and artiiicially feeding stock is being discontinued.

Wiitiiig on September 29, the Winton correspondent of the Southland Times records the death of an old and respected settler: — • On Thursday a very large number of settler? followed the remains of Da\id Anderson, of Pleasant Creek, Hokonui, to the Win ton cemetery, v/hcie the service was impressively conducted by the Key. Messrs M 'Donald and Baird. The deceased was a farmer for over 30 years in Hokonui ; a good neighbour, and it friend respected by those who knew him best. He was a, native of Dumfriesshire, ■where he followed the business of stock-deal-ing, which he took to after arrival in Victoria, from which colony he came to New Zealand ■34 years ago. He had reached the age of 78, and is survived by a widow, three daughters (all married), and four sons I two of whom are married).

The experiment of the North Otago A. and P. Association holding their annual horse parade on a Saturday afternoon, says the local Times of the Ist inst., must be voted a decided success, for the attendance on Saturday last at the walking show was first class — better than for some years. The gathering lacked, perhaps, a few of the townsfolk who sometimes attend, but farmers and breeders evidently found the day suited them, for they attended in force. The hoises that paraded only number 15 in all, but the slight loss in -numbers was fully made up in quality, for they were a sterling lot of animals. Of the draughts, the old horse Cedrie the Saxon still takes beating, but there are several very promising horses among the loc. Lord Ranfurly and Young Herd Laddie both looked well, and Sandy Erskinc is furnishing grandly. Prince Victor was also forward, looking well. The horses thot have not before been seen on the ground were Baden-Powell, Prince Imperial, and The Grafter, all of whom came in for attention. Only two thoroughbreds. Euroulydon and Lobo, were on the ground, and both had their admirer*. Five carriage &tal■lions and trotters walked roand for the inspection of those present — Anniversary', Brooklyn, Young Pinole Patclien. and Weinacnten — and wcie as good as ever, and stand looking over. Oldenburg,' the new hor&o in "this class, attracted attention. The hhow of 1900 may, therefore, be considered a good one in regard to quality if not so good in numbers us its predecessors.

The milk supply at Edendale Dairy Factory is at present lOOOgal ■get- day.

During the past fortnight 615 cattle, 3091 sheep, 22 lambs, 143 pig,*, and 35 calves wore slaughtered at the City abattoirs at Burnside, of which 2 cattle, 1 sheep, 3 pigs, and 1 calf were condemned as unfit for food.

The Southland Times reports as follows on the local grain market: — There is absolutely no business being done in oats at present. All the orders for export to South Africa are now fulfilled, and being rebagged into 801b bags at the Bluff, awaiting shipment by the s.s. Longshrps, which is expected at that port in a few days. The prices being asked here seems to preclude business with Victoria and New South Wale?, as both these colonies have sufficient feed bluffs available to render them independent of New Zealand produce. Maize continues to be sold al a low price in Sydney, and an abundance of green feed is available throughout that colony, owing to the exceptionally fine season exXierieneed. The prospects for the coining season thioughout Victoria are reported to be •very favourable, and unless heavy rains arc experienced in October there is' no doubt but that a very large crop of oats will be harvested there. In the meantime holders of ■oats here will have shortly to face the alternative of accepting very nvuch lower price? than are being asked now — unless frc&h orders come into the market from either China or fcSouth Africa — or holding on to their stocks indefinitely. Other produce is unchanged. The following- ore the shipments of grain and produce from Lyttellon for the week ended Friday, September 28 : — 138& packs, 3016 bags, and 42 tons flour ; 781 sacks oat?, 1203 sacks bran, 571 sacks sharps, 22,74-1 sacks wheat, 9995 sacks potatoes, 1299 sacfos barley. The total shipments for the four weeks were : 36,285 sacks, 1439 cases, 17 bags potatoes, 5899

.•sacks, 8076 bags, 2 cases, and 42 frons ficar, 25,608 sacks and 4352 bags oats, 2684 sacks bran, 1402 sacks sharps, 47.332 sacks wheat, 4130 sacks barley.

T'ho engineer of the Mackenzie County Council has been instructed to purchase small birds' eggs during the coming season. One of the councillors objected on the ground that the birds w ere necessary in order to ki2ep the grub pest in check.

The Invercargill Dairy Supply Company, having seemed the Fairfax Dairy Factoiy, purpose opening it as a eieamcry within the next few weeks, of which due notice will be given.

xiio annual meeting of shareholders in the Seaward Doyrns Dairy factory Company was held on Friday, September 28. Mr Hugh jVJ 'Call (chairman of directors) presided, and there was a fair attendance. The repoit and balance sheet were submitted by the serietary, Mr James M'Lauchlan. Tiie directors reported a most successful season's operations. The supply of milk was largely increased, thereby materially increasing- the output of cheese, which accordingly 1 educed proportionately the cost per ton for the manufacture of cheese, ai-d enabled the directors, to pay throughout the reason, the ruling price of 9d per lb for butter-fat; and with a -view to the encouragement of s-uppliev?, the diiectors have decided to make a further payment of id per lb butter-tat, or 9id o\cv the checselna'dng period. This will absorb £52 939 3 Id of the surplus on current recount, leaving a balance of £9 6o 4d to carry forward. The extra payment will be made in September. The amount of milk received in the factory for period of 12 months was 1.543,7691b; of thia 1,286,6161b was u*ed for the manufacture of cheese between November 1 and May 31, producing 50,5571b butter-fat, from' which was manufactured 132,8611b cheese, or in other , woids, every 9.691b milk produced lib cheese, and Jib buttcr-lal gave 2.651b cheese. The balance of milk, 257.1531b, was pasted through the separator, and the cream sold to the Invercargili Supply Co., at a fairly remunerative ' price. The total amount of milk received ,' equalled 70 tons cheese. The prospects' for the incoming season are fairly 'bright, and, accorded the same loyal support, the directors hope to do oven better in the way of payment for milk, from the fact of having paid from the past season's workings the cost; incurred through the introduction of sepaiator, or tully better than three-eighths of a penny per lb of butter-fat. This amount, jiflfc being a recurring charge, will consequently ; leave a larger (surplus for distribution. The ( chairman, in moving the adoption of the re- i port and balance sheet, said he had no doubt ', that all would agree a^> to the undoubted &uc- ! eesa of their operations during the past year. ! There had been a considerable increase in the ] milk supply; the milk had been supplied in ', "fairly good" order, while the cheese was j turned out in "very good" condition. The '■ motion for the adoption of the report pud , balance sheet was carried unanimously. The J retiring directors, Messrs M'Call and Morton, were le-eleeted. It was announced that the season's output of cheese had been sold at a very satisi'octory figure, being slightly in advance of that obtained last year. Mr Hugh Al'Call was unanimously re-elected chairman of directors for the ensuing year. j Correspondents of the Southern Standard : | Wyndham : A meeting was held on Sept em- j her 28 to urge on the Government the neces- J sity that exists for completing the Waikawa- j Wyndham Volley road. It was resolved to ;v; v urge the Government to have this road com- i plotsd as early an possible, and also to whe j to Mr M'Xab, the member for the district, j asking him to give the matter his support. In Deference to the above work, 1 thought it . would have been completed many a year ago, ] a--s a late member for the district, Mr J. S. j Klinnks, lost his, bearings in that locality, and j had to put in a night in the bush. The opening of this road would be a great boon to the Waikawa settlers, as it would give them facilities for bringing their stock to the Wyndham saleyards, which they find is the moct profitable market. The opening of the road ! would also bo in the interest of the town of Wyndham a? a centre of commerce. — IVIr James Milne, a suburban farmer, is going in lately for lime. Mr Milne limed one paddock last season, and is doing another this year. The grass paddock, the result of last season's operations, is looking beautiful, and can be seen from a long distance. — Waikoikoi: The weather of the past few weeks has been exceptionally fine, although at present j it is cold and squally. Spring work is well j advanced, oat-sowing being practically ', finished. The area under thi., cereal is some- i what smaller Lhan that of last year. The ear- j iier-sown crops are brairding nicely, and grass is coming away rapidly ; but should the present cold weather continue Ion"', both will re-

ceive a check. Lambing is nearly fim-hed on : ma*y farms ; and, so far as I can leavn, Hie ' percentage is above the average. — Ivlr E. C ! Orchard, who has for the past 11 years worked ! the Landslip coalpit, having secured the faim ' at "Waikaka siding recently occupied by Mr ! Hay, takes hit. departure for it this week, together with his wife and family. Mr and , Mrs Orchard and family during their residence j here have mads many fiiend«, who«e beat ', wishes they will have for their future success, j — romahnka Downs : For the last throe months the weather has been all that could i be desired for farm work. Sowing oats is now completed, and some fine braids are already i to be seen. Lambs are skipping about merrily, and grass is plentiful. The Waipahi- i Poroahaka road is undergoing repair, and when finished will be a great 'boon to the district, as the journey to and from the railway station will easily be accomplished in eight hours. This will "do away with the howl thai Poma-

haka is far away. What we want i.s settlement; our roads would then be similar to those in other districts ; and the land is as good as 1 , if not superior to, that m many 1 . Pomahaka is ordinary Southland land — quite capable in ordinary reasons of producing good cror^ of oats, giass, and turnips. Our longuuieimg and lenient Land Board it> not going to put the defaulters out. After due consideration, the Board has decided to let those who cannot pay rent remain in occupation only until such tune as they get other tenants. The supposed ruined settlers are all working as usual, and in most coses haie put c±-op in. i do noc know how the Board will deal with them, but no doubt the land will be thrown open for selection, burdened wil'i iriiproAemeuts to pay ai rears ot rent; the growing ciop thrown m as an inducement. r lhe stipro c ed ruined settlers weie informed that if they put in the crops it would be a I their own risk.

On opening the stomach of a horse which had died in A r ew Plymouth through stoppage of the Loweh, a veterinary surgeon found no fewer than 501b oi iroii'-ancl. The surgeon .states (frays the Wellington Post) that the stoppage would iiot lme oc.cun.ed it the horse had always had access to rock salt. It was a natural ctaving for *al; that caused the animal to pick up tlie sand.

The Tiniaru A. and P. As-sccia tion's thirtyfifth annuol show will be held on the f-how ground on Tuesday and Wednesday, October 60 and 31. Home interest will bs given to members of mounted corps by the ,-pecial prizes offered for troop hoiSe^. The annual stud horse parade uncle 1 the auspice^ of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoi-al Association was held on Saturday, {September 29. Th-3 weather was cold and unfavourable, and the attendance out-ids tho=e imraediatol3 - interested in the exhibits wan small. Oi the 22 horses catalogued, 19 v. ere on the ground, two being imported, and of the remaining 17 no less than 13 were down tor sale. There were nine in the class for carriage horses and roadsters, all, with one exception, 'being trottingi bred. The only thoroughbred paraded was Musketry, who has- never been seen to greater advantage, and is a beautiful, muscular, add weli-pro-poitioned young sire. A majority of the draughts were shown in good order, but no amount of condition would compensate for the deficiency in size and conformation of a few of them. On the whole, how ever, quality was well represented, and general soundness prevailed. The Waipawa correspondent of the Hawbs's Bay Herald learns that the Government will purchase the Melbourne estate, and also that the Land Puichase department has made an offer toi the Forest Gate property, containing 8000 acres. Throughout the Goulburn Valley (Victoria) the crops are reported to be promising beyond anything experienced for many years.

A pleasing function took place at the close of the annual meeting of the shareholders ot the Seaward Downs Dairy Factory Company. Mr Hugh M'Call, who occupied the chair, said they were all aware their manager (Mr "William Grant) had been exceptionally successiul with his exhibits of chee«e at the Winter shows, at Dunedin and Invercargill during last reason. With only two entries at Dunedin, he had won first prize for best half-ton white cheese and first prize for best half-ton coloured cheese ; the £10 championship prize for most points in cheese, and, perhaps bese of all, had secured the custody ot the coveted M'Nairn Civo for the ensiling 12 months. Mr Grant had also won chief honours at Invercargill. With the M 'Nairn Cup went a gold medal for the manager, while at Invercargill a silver medal was awarded for the most points in cheese. Ho (the speaker) hid great pleasure in presenting the medals to Mr Grant. The prize money in these connections came to upwards of £15, which the directors had olso decided should bo donated to Mr Grant as a deserving supplement to his palmy. Mr (jL-anl finceicly thanked the chairman fov hi» kind remarks, and the company for their generous treatment ot him.-elf. He would value the medals highly, a-* they would be testimonials to his ability in the future. He trusted that he, as chee?emaker, and the suppliers would strive in the future even more than they had done in the past to produce a first-class article.

A comwaris-on of the entries for the Canteibury A. and P. Associaton' , parade on Saturday, say* the Lyttelton Times of Die 3rd inst., and at the parade 10 years, ago '■hows a very great falling off in numbers. On Saturday the total number of horses entered was 35, while in 1890 there wci-c exactly twice as many. At the 1890 -fixture there were no fewer than 33 draught horses, imported and colonial, among them such well-known prizclakers a-, Middlerigg, Victor, General Gordon, and Clydesdale Hero. The road- tcrs and cairiage hoi^e^i numbered 18, against Fcven this year, and thoroughbicds. had 10 le prej-entiri ives>, while this year Musketry was the solitary representative of this claps.

Fairlie notes, in Tinjaru Post: — ft is to be hoped that the Vcather will keep fine dining this month, in order that the laivbing may be got over without undue loss. Pre.-ent appearances promise a large percentage of lambs throughout 'the Mackenzie Country. On many of the lower farms lambing is practically finished, and twins are rather numerous. Tiiplets, too, arc by no means a rarity. The lambs at bhth ha-\o been found, in a great many cases, to be smaller than usual ; but this often occurs when the ewes are in extra good condition. At present there is a plenitude of feed, most of the paddocks being very green with freshly-grown grass. A litle warm weather, with the moisture that is already

in the ground, will ensure a good supply of feed for the -summer. The . winter crops of oats and wheat have made a great advance in most cases, and sheep are being put on them. Spring crops, too, are coming away well, and are tinging the paddocks with their green. A considerable area is being pipughed and worked up for rape and turnips, and the farmers, as a whole, do nGt seem desirous of leaving their next winter's feed to chance. Teams are hard to get, and all contractors for team work are working full time and a little over. The new f-otrlcrs on Punaroa (Three Springs) have been having a very busy spring. Fencing, building, ploughing, and mowing have all been in lull swing at the same lime, and anyone riding up the Silvemream road can -cc that the new settlers have not been at ail inactive during the past thres months. Given a suitably fane summer, a large amount of produce, both in stock and cereals, ought to be sent away from Punaioa next autumn. Another large estate, llain cliff e, which is being cut up £>r>d settled privately in a quiet way, is aito the scene oi much activity. The greater portion or this estate towards Fairlie haa been disposed ot m blocks ranging from 300 to 1300 an.es. It has been sold at a \ery reasonable price, and if sheep continue to keep up their present values the purchasers ought to profit considerably by their investments.

The annual horse parade under the auspices of the Timaru A. and P. Association took place on Saturday, September 29, in a portion of the old show grounds, off Grey load. The entries were not quite so numerous as those of last year, but in the quality of the hoi-s-es shown others wa« no sign of deterioration. It vvas rather unfortunate that the days was not as fine as could have been wished, for the cold southerly wind that was blowing did not teiul to improve the appearance oi the horse.-. But despite this, they made a veiy good show, and it is quite evident th?_t with such sivas the district can easily maintain its reputation for the production of good, serviceable ■animals. There \va3 a large attendance of farmers and others interested, and the horson were pubjet to minute inspection. Altogether 19 horsef- paraded. The Western Star hears that a petition is being forwarded to the Government requesting them to acquire some of the largest of the estates in this district, for Uie purpose of throwing them open on the perpetual lease system. No land has yet been opened on easy terms for settlement in the fertile district between Riverton and Otautau, and the estates that have been cut up by private individuals have been offered on terms, which cannot be compared to those offered by the perpetual loose system. There are a large number of would-be settlers m this district without sufficient capital to purchase and stock freehold land, who would readily seize the oppoi tunity, if offered, of securing homes for themselves, jf land could be obtained as advantageously here as it can be in many other parto of the colony under some of the liberal systems of our land lws. During the last few years many valuable settlers have left this vicinity for parts more favoured with facilities for settlement by those whose means are limited. This district is well suited for the dairying industry, and it is becoming very apparent that, within certain limits, the smaller the holdings are in the neighbourhood of a dairy factory, the grr-at the success of the industry. This remark applies to the factory as well as the supplier,? of milk. Riverton has the sea on one side and "a large area taken up by hills and bush in another direction, "so that it is more than ordinarily desirable that the available land in the district should be made the best use of, and that can only be done by closer settlement, for which i,ho land is so well adapted. We wish the petitioners eveiy sucee-s and have no doubt that the member will back up their prayer as energetically as he has everything else tending to the welfare of Riverton and the surrounding district. Members cf the Mackenzie County Council who visited the Pulcplci district laot month state that rabbits are now quite rare on the south -side of the Pukaki River and lake, thanks, they raj", to stoats and weasels chiefly.

At (he last meetinc* of the Gore Borough Council the Abattoir Committee recommended that abattoir-* be erected at an e-timaled cost of ££00, and that steps be taken immediately to borrow the amount on the approval of the proper puthoritiei being obtained. The proposal having been discuspccl at considerable length, a motion adopting the committee-; reco2'n;peiidation wa-> carried. At the request of the council Councillor Latham expressed his willingness to proceed to Dunedin to iir-pect tlie abattoirs thei'e, with a view to assisting in the preparation of sj'Gcincitions for the Gore Abattoirs. He also intimated that not only would he prepare the jjlans and specifications free of charge, but that he would nlso supeni&e the work oi erecting the building without fee oj 1 reward. The mayor, on behalf of the council and ratepayers generally, thanked Councillor Latham for his liberal offer.

The Tapanui Courier of the 3rd inst. reports that the stock market is still bridle for both fats and stores, and several specials ran from the south to Canterbury last week carrying freezers.

From the Timaru Post of the 2nd inst. : — lUr W. Gosling, who lost his life through a buggy accident in Timaru yesterday, was one of the very early settlers of Canterbury, having come out to New Zealand in one of the first four ships. He was very well known in this district, and at one time was owner of the Coonoor estate, at the south of Timaru. He also owned other large properties at different times. He was 80 years old, and leaves

a large family, all of whom are grown upi It is a remarkable fact that the deceased's eldest son w*as killed in a similar way to that in which Mr Gosling met hi 6 death.

At the Supreme Court, Christchurcli, on, the 2nd inst., his Honor 2\lr Justice Martin; deliveied judgment in the case of Weelman ' v. An gland. This was an action bi'ottglit by the Commissioner of Crown Lands for tho Canterbury district, for -wrongful entry upon, and removal of crop? from. Crown land iri South Canterbury. "The case was tried in. Timaru, and it was agreed that Llie ca-so should go to the jury to assess damages-, assuming tht. potion \.n- maintainable iv law, leaving the questions of law for argument-. The jury a^se^ed the damages at £63 17s. A: man named Granny occupied a section next to defendant, and the latter financed Graney. The board refused to allow defendant to go in a^, sub-tenani, and called upon Graney to show cause why lii«. laad should not be forfeited, o~h tiie ground ol failure <o carry out tho condition-:. No reply Mils received from. Graney,' and the board declared the land fosfeiied, and the Crown landis ranger look po^e««.ion. Artor this tlie defendant removed the crop growing on the land. Ths defendant's contentions were thai Ihc forfeiture^ of Graney' rf interest must have been effected under the provisions of section 50 of "The Lund Act, 1892" ; that "the board was bound to hold a judicial inquiry before declaring a. forfeiture, and that inasmuch as Graney was not informed when such inquiry was held the act of the board in declaring the forfeiture was without jurisdiction. His Honor now gave judgment to the effect than tho defendant's contentions fail, and that the plaintiff was entitled to judgment for £bl Th, with costs.

At the quarterly meeting. of tho We&tmore-" land County Council, held at Kendal recently, the Contagious .Diseases of Animals Committee reported several ca^es of anthrax, and they recommended, that the Chief Constable be instructed in every future' case which occurred after the use of cake to have a sample of the cake analysed by Principal M'Fadyean. Jn speaking to this recommendation, Alder-" man Puncbard said six or seven animals baddied recently at Brougham from anthrax, and Lord Brougham engage*? two highly-qualified veterinary experts — Principal M'Fadyean and Principal Williams— to investigate as to the cause of the outbreak, and they came to the conclusion that the outbreak had been originated hy the use of certain cake. Legal action was likely jlo be taken in those cases, but the committee thought if cake was the cause in one case it might be in another. Mr Pattinson, Windermere, suggested thafc they should include manures in the resolution, and with that addition the resolution was carried. It may be added that the shorthorns which died from the outbreak at Brougham Farm were valued at £1000.

A Brisbane message in the 7\lelbourne Aga of September 11 states:— Mr J. B. Collum, inspector of the Post and Telegraph department, who has returned to Brisbane from a. tour of inspection in the south-west uortions of the colony, gives a graphic description of the ravages of the drought. He says that scarcely one station has escaped from Charleville southwards, and right along the South Australian border, taking in the whole of the south-western portion of tbp colony. Mr Collum left Brisbane in the middle of July, and went the round of all the principal stations in those parts. At Nocandra station, 100 miles beyond Thargomindah, and within 120 miles of the South Australian and New South Wales borders, the conditions were extremely bad. There was no grass anywhere —nothing but bare ground and dust. Afc iNTocatunga- station, about 12 miles distant, the owner told Mr Collum that out of 40,000 cattle he had not 8000 left, and he expected' they would all die in a month if lain did not come. The station had supplied that neighbouring township with meat "up to that time, but they had only three more cattle fit to kill. At Minclorah station, about 200 miles north-west oi Charleville, they had no meal, at all. Mr Collum asked why they did not kill .some of the coats he had seen on his last visit, when there was a herd of about 5000, and he w as told that (hey had killed their last goat. ,i fortnight before. Mr Collum visited Mount Howatt station, where out of a mob of £000 catle «snly 1200 remained. A wor=e state of things, perhapd, was seen at Durham Downs, where "they had only a few hundred cattle to count oiit of 30,000 head. At Ly. : cc station they had lost all they had. Mr Co3 him met camels going to Durham Downs from Broken Hill with rations, and was told that no camels could be engaged foi carriage for some time, as they were all engaged ahead for the conveyance of rations to different stations-. Tho inspector learnt at pome of tho stations that the stock had had no gra=.s for over a year, raid that they had been cutting mulga for 24 months out of the last, 06. At some places they had not had an average of 4in of rani for three years, and nothing but a heavy downfall could do any good. Half an inch during a night would scarcely be noticeable in the morning, so parched \va? tho whole of the country, and so groat was its pre cnt absorbing power.

Science is the most deadly foe the rule-of-thunib Biitish farmer has to face, and after science comes organisation. The Times had an article recently on the Continental butter

trade with England which brings this out very clearly. The facts regarding the capiure of the British butter market by the Danes arc accurately described as constituting one of the mopt glorious pages of contemporary economic industry. Prior to 1870 Danish liuttex was scarcely known in London ; in 1882 the movement to capture the British market began ; in 1887 Western Jutland pos&e&sed 160 co-operatne dairies, and now over the whole kingdom of Denmark there are abeaxt 1000 of these. As the consumption of Danish butter in England increased, the consumption •of French butter declined, and this was entirely due to the failure of the French maker? io keep up to the Danish standard. What science can do for the butter trade is clearly seen in the .enormous quantities of Australian butter landed in this country, and even more remarkable is the fact that Russia has established tha Danish system beyond the iUrals, and has, organised a service of butter trains from the capital of Western Siberia to St. Petersburg, which bj- the use of cold storage and ice-packed chambers, land butter fresh and sweet in the capital seven days after it has been made, and 2200 miles from the place of its production. — Scottish Farmer.

Mr G. Ji. Carpenter, B.Sc, F.E.S., consulting entemologist to the Royal Dublin Society, in a communication which has been incorporated in the report of the coixncil just issued refers in the following terms to the prevention of turnip "fly^ : — Mr C. Smyth, of .Ballymote, County Sligo, has discovered that dressing the young turnin plants with a weak solution of sulphate of copper and lime is a most effective preventive of the attacks of the fly, while it does not in the least interfere with the growth of the plants. When the sulphate of copper was first talked of as a destroyer of charlock, it was generally conceded that the dressing could not be availed of in the case of fields sown with a turnip crop, on account of the turnip being a member of the same family as tho charlock, and as such, likely to buffer from, the dressing in the same way. The experiments conducted 'by Mr Smyth, however, go to show that if a weak dressing is employed, say about 1 per cent, solution, no injury to the plants need ■be apprehended, and the absolute immunity of the plants from fly attacks may be confidently counted on. Should it work cut as Mr Smyth seems to have found it to do, the dreeing will prove a priceless boon to turnipgrowers in all parts of the United Kingdom. —North British Agriculturist.

Tho Bruce County Council expended the sum of £5 15s for the destruction of small birds during the month of October. The annual horse parade took place at Milton, on the 2nd inst., but tho number of entrie, (fh c) wa-> the smallest on reocuxl. The

Herd Laddie, Lord Lyon, and Douglas, owned by Mr J. Robinson: the only light stallion entered was Blacksmith.

A meeting of the committee of the Northern Agricultural and Pastoral Association was held at Rangiora on the Ist inst., when there was a good attendance. Mr J. Stevenson was in the chair. The following additional special prizes were accepted: — From the Christclmrch Meat Company, for 10 freezing lambs, ; from Messrs M. Peach and'J. W. Foster, for a drhing competition ; and from Mr J. T. Oliff, for stock fay Bluegown. f.t was decided that the issue of passes to exhibitors and persons in charge of stock should be discontinued, the entry ticket being sufficient to admit to the ground.

Tlio Wangaloa correspondent of the Olutlia Leader writes : There is a good bit of sowing to be done throughout the district yet. Some of the fanners had 100 many turnips this season for the stock they had to eat them off, and sheep were too dear to buy and expect any profit out of them by feeding them or. turnips, hence the delay in getting the turnip ground ploughed for crop. So for at the lambing reason has gone, there is very little room for complaint.

Writing on the 3rd inst., the Ohaslands correspondent of Uie Clutha Free Press «iys: The past v, inter has been the mildest since the settlement was? inaugurated, six years ago.Every winter there has been a good fall of snow, with very severe frosts and almost a continuance of rain ; but this winter we ha\ c had no snoy and very little frost. The consequence is that ptock of all kinds are looking very well, especially those that have left the open and taken to the bush. The two settlements are not making much progress as legaids improvements, for the reason that the settlers are not in a position to remain at home and effect improvements. They have to go from home to get work, •which means while they are away nothing is being done on their holding?. This system necessitates the keeping of two home*, &o thai at the end of the month there ix not much to improve matters with. The price* here for store* are .such that a man must bo constantly earning money to koap out of debt. Our dairy factory is expected to make a start about the sth o*f October. The ls<-t pea-son -was a very succe^ful one, over 40 tons of fir^t-clef,-, cheese being manufactured and °nld at a satisfactory price. After ail the expenses were paid the return to tho settlers was o^d per lb or butter fat, the test for the season averaging 3.5. This is not very high, according (o some knowing would-be experts ; but everything considered, the result is considered by pri'clical men to be fairly good. The pro^pcHs- {his '■•ea'-on «eem to be better, and each tell lei will lw\ c nioie cows making. AM tlic Fetllois are fully alive \n the benefit', derived fiovn the faolory. At first there were a Few v. lift viewed

I am glad to pay they are now falling into line and will admit their error.

Professor C S. Plumb, of Indiana, gives the following advice lo cheep-breeders : In sheep-breeding one of the greatest weaknesses with Amrricafts is that they do not adhere to a fixed typo. Some men handle sheep for a while and then dispose of them and take up pigs, because bheep are too low in price, and then they go back to the slieap business when the pig market becomes dull. The man who will take up one breed and develop that, who will stick to his line, and learn all he can about the work he 1 a= taken up, will come out in the end in a chance.

Dany notes in Wyndham Herald: — The supply i.t milk at the Island factory is 600 gdi per day ; Mr C Carnie (70gal) being the largest supplier. Tho supply is expected to reach 200Ugal this &ea&on. — The "Wyndham dairy factory is receiving SOOgal milk per diem. Out of 52 suppliers, 4b are already on tiie books. Three vats will soon have to be operated. The cows are coming in well together.

From the Western Star: — A gentleman well veisecl ill agricultural and pastoral matters, who has quue recently been round the district, has - expressed the opinion that if the weather only keepd v.p for a week or two yet, this season's lambing will be a record one judging by the >result& of the early lambing. The ewes have had an abundance of winter feed, the mild weather experienced making that a. surely, and have been in first class condition from the very first of the season. Th*se aie the things, combined with suitable weather, that conduce to high percentages.

The following letter, fays the Oarnuru Mail, has been forwarded to the Hon. T. Y. Duncan, Minister for Lands, by Mr Id. B. Crawford: — "Dear Sir, — There is a small matter in connection with the working of the Transfer department in relation to leases lieid under the Lind fc Settlements Act in which I think you could render some assistance to* somo of the poorer settlers, who have been forced, by chcurnstances, to transfer their leases. For some years a transfer fee of a guinea was imposed by the Land Board. It wa& questioned, and for some little time remitted. It has now again come into force, and the department endeavour to make it press less heavily upon those desiring transfers by offering to do the work) incidental to the transfer, it the parties place the matter in the hands of the Land Board's officers. This, however, does not effect the end desired, as the parties are often unable to avail themselves of the board's solicitude for their welfore, and they have to pay the guinea in the nature of a line, after paying an ag-ent or solicitor for his services. If you look into the matter, Tfeel confident that you will find it i& a matter that can be ledressed with advantage to the department and the settlers." The annual parade of stud horses under the auspices of the Northern Agricultural Association was held at Rangiora, near the Fire Brigade Station. It was conducted by a committee of Messrs J. Stevenson, C. Leech, A. Home, W. Scone, J. Lilly, C. d'Auvegne, and R Liggett. All the stock shown were in high condition, and the horses were much admired. They included :— Draught horpes : Lawrence Chief, Captain Alexander, Cavalier King, Victor, and 'Glenlie. Carriage and roadsters : Hazeldean and Young Wiklwood. Thoroughbreds : Good-bye, Prospect, Lakeshell, and the pony Rising Sun. For a considerable period the analysts of the Government Laboratory have adopted the 3 per cent, standard for fat in milk, suggested by the Society of Public Analysts many years ago, yet it is grievous to find that there are_ analysts who still adopt, a lower figure. How is it possible for the general public to feel confidence in a body of professional men who differ in opinion concerning matters on which there should be perfect unanimity? It is to be feared that some of these persons are not actuated by the highest motivos ; perhaps some err from want of thought, perhaps from an inability to keep up-to-date. Whatever may be the cause, there laggards inflict incalculable injury on a profession the gieat majority of the members of which are striving to discharge their important duties honestly and iairly between the food-vendor and the public— British Food Journal.