AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2481, 2 October 1901, Page 7

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

A very enthusiastic meeting of the East Taieri branch of the New Zealand Farmers' . Union Was held in the County Council Chambers, Mosgiel, on Wednesday. The fol- '• lowing offiee-bearera were appointed : — Mr j D. Reid, chairman; Mr J. H. Allan, secretary and treasurer; Mr William J. J. Charters, auditor. Mr Walter Blackie was appointed delegate to the Provincial Conference. Messrs Graham, Cullen, and John Wright were appointed a committee to meet the farmers of the Brighton district on Friday evening, October A, to form a subbranch of the East Taieri branch. " Ratepayer " criticised the action of the Palmerston Borough Council in a case to which he refers. He says the council resolved to plough a paddock of 15 acres, top dress it with two tons of lime per acre, and then sow it with grass seed, the object i being to test whether the lime would im- j prove the growth of grass — a laudable ob- ' ject, as the soil of the district is poor grass-growing soil. Instead of carrying out this resolution, however, and without rescinding it, they got the paddock ploughed twice at a cost of £1 per acre, and then let ifc to one of themselves for 10s per acre with the right of taking a crop of oats off it, . and decided to dress it with 2cwt of bone manure per acre, the council paying for the . manure and the grass seed, which the favoured councillor was to sow. Our correspondent says that by their action they have frustrated their main object, and stand to ; lose £30 of the ratepayers money, while they are no further ahead. Our correspon- , dent thinks there ought to be a remedy for the council's action. - "Traveller" counsels the evercise of care and discrimination by branches of the Farmers' Union in the appointment of delegates to the provincial cpnference. What occurred to his knowledge in an upcountry township leads him to think that the selection in some cases is made thoughtlessly. At the township in question, his Attention wifl directed in the sgleytad,

J prior to the meeting for the formation of ' a branch, to an individual in the crowd t who was expressing his views very freely, and denouncing the movement in most emphatic terms. On making inquiries he was told by some persons that the talkative individual was a farmer of 'some note among his friends, by others that he was ' a " blatherskite." At the meeting itself, at which the organiser was not present, there were no prearranged plans, and this gave ■ the talkative gentleman his opportunity, as, scrambling up a handful of tickets, he proceeded on his own hook to offer them at a shilling apiece, each member to put his own name on the ticket at his leisure to save time. Moreover, he accepted an appointment on the committee, and the climax was reached when, not by any means with the sanction of a large number present, he accepted the position of representative to the conference. " Traveller thinks that if that individual is the sort of person who is to be sent to represent an important body, it is not hard to predict what the result will be.

Mr A. M'Lean, on behalf of Mr R. D. D. M'Lean, of Maraekakaho, has purchased from the Yen. Archdeacon S. Williams, Te Aute, the yearling bull Royal Duke 3rd, the price being 300 guineas, which is believed to be the highest figure yet paid for a bull bred in New Zealand. His sire, Connaught 19th, was purchased by the late Mr M 'Hardy from Sir Rupert Clarke, Victoria, for 500 guineas. Branches of the New Zealand Farmers' Union have been formed at Mataura Island and Riversdale. At an enthusiastic meeting at Wyndham on Saturday evening it was decided to resuscitate the local A. and P. show. An item of news of considerable interest to this colony generally, and to our producers especially, is contained in a recent Tasmanian paper. It runs thus:. "West Devonport. The following telegram was despatched to the Right Hon. -Edward Barton, Melbourne : ' The Chamber of Commerce and Merchants' Association of Devonport humbly pray that the Federal Government will consider the interests of Northern Tasmania by checking the ruinous competition at times caused by the importation of New Zealand produce into the Commonwealth. ' ' The North Olago Times is informed by a gentleman who has been over a portion of the. district that the recent rain, although followed by biting winds, has started the grass away, and sheep are now doing fairly well. Large shipments of cattle from the North Island continue to come south to meet the requirements caused by the shortage in Canterbury supplies this year. One Masterton firm has put 2000 dozen eggs into pickle for the summer, mouths. The most abundant rain that has fallen for months fell throu t ' -rat the Waimate district " on Tuesday night and Wednesday morning. The ram (rays i'>e Waimato Times) will do an incalculable amount of good. On the East Coast of the North I--!and Inmbing results are said to be the b^sl evrv known. A farmer a few miies from Martinborough, who docked his lambs, finds the increase reaches the unprecedented percentage of 165. The trees and shrubs grown in the Government forest reserve? at Whakarewarewa, Eweburn, and Tapantu number over five millions and a-halt. It in estimated that these State nurseries can soon supply two million trees annually, but this is not sufficient to balance the million odd acres of foreat land which, since 1895", have been stripped of their trees. The Bruce Herald of the 24th ult. says : They stormy weather of last week was most disastrous to the farmers whose flocks had reached the lambing season. In small flocks of only 150 sheep losses to ihe extent of 30 oi 4-0 lanibs have occurred in one night, and although this does not apply to every sheep farmer in this district, there will be a big depreciation in the percentage of lambs this season. From the Southland News: — The grain forwarded by rail to Invercargill for store and shipment to date exceeds that for the corresponding period of last year by no less than 202,772 sacks, and perhaps there has never before been such a demand on the rolling stock as during the past few months. The department has met it with a minimum of inconvenience to growers, though the supply 3f trucks has at times proved inadequate. At present there is a quantity booked for conveyance from country centres, and it is evident that the yield has been a very large one. The Wangaloa correspondent of the Clutha Leader writes on the 23rd ult. : — For farming operations, the weather up till the recent break was all that could be desired, and sowing has been the order of the day. There is a considerable area of ground to both plough and sow in the district yet. Messrs Smith and Sons have a three-furrow plough at Work -on theii Roseneath farm. 1 understand it is worked by five horses. — I notice a good many lambs throughout the district. — I regret to have to record the death of Mr E. B. Taylor, a very ojd and highly respected resident of our district. For many years he carried on farming, but he sold out owing to old age and failing health. He had been in delicate health for a considerable time before his death. Dairying is receiving 4 great deal of ftt-

itention at the Levin State Farm, says the Manawatu Farmer. This season 150 cows will be milked, the milk coming to Wellington. New buildings are now being erected at the farm for the pedigree bulls recently imported by the department. Tree-planting has not been neglected this year, and something like 30,000 young trees have been used. At present 40 men are engaged on the farm. Large shipments of cattle from the North Island continue to come south to meet the requirements caused by the shortage in Canterbury supplies t2iis year The catalogue for 1901 of the Timaru A. and P. Association's annual exhibition of stock, agricultural produce, and fawn implements is now published. The show dates have been altered this year to Wednesday and Thursday, November 13 and 14. The catalogue, as usual, is a very full and complete one, and if the entries fill as they , have done in former years, the show should I be a decided ,uecess. Liberal prize moneys i are offered, making the different classes well ] worthy of good competition. In addition , to thr> association's prizes, a number of special prize 3 are offered in sheep, cattle, horses, agricultural and dairy produce. The Canterbury Farmers' Co-operative Association give £10 10s (divided into first, second, i and third prize"*) for the best collection of farm produce, including everything produced on a farm apart from live stock. Weigh t- . judging competitions of fat cattle I and fat sheep will take place on I the second day of the show, which judging of fat cattle and fat sheep will tako place on the second-day of the show, which , will be open to all comers The catalogue , is quite up to the standard of former years ! and with the excellent grounds which the I association now has, the show is likely to ] be a most successful one. I Mr Alexander ■ Stevenson, one of the , settlers on Barnego Flat, says the Clutha Leader, had his ewes and lambs considerably , damaged "by,- dogs about" a week ago. In the moaning six of tile' sheep were found dead, and some '10 or li. had to be destroyed ; a number of lambs were also killed. This is the second or third time dogs liava 1 been amongst Mr Stevenson's sheep, and in all upwards of 30 have either been killed { or -o knocked about that they had to be , killed. This is besides lambs. On on© occasion the dog= were followed to their homo,. On account of the hard condition of the • land, owing to the long spell of dry weather, , ploughing is being done by traction engines i instead of by horses in some parts of the 1 Ash burton county. I The Western Star says:— The recent cold snap occasioned considerable lo&s to farmer* j on whose farms Limbing had commenced. j Many ewis are reported to hare succumbed I to inflammation, vhi!e the lambing- avcraqe i will be largely reduced by dr-aths. We ha\e j heard cc one farmer who iost 30, and of i several others who havo lost nearly as j many. Taking these as an indication, it may be said chat there were con'ider.iM© j Josses among a ]l ffockg on the flats wh»re I Inmbincf had commenced. Apropos of Jnmbi me? o runholder and a email iavm^i wore i iUscu-=mg .the effects of the cokl -sveati'<-r. : 'lime many of your lambs died?" ouriied • the small fprir.ev. "I don't think. I hayr> lost .liny," replied the runholder. "Well, I | liave," paid the farmer. "My place is j simply alive with dead lambs." They were , talking '-Jambs, M but it was a neat "bull." j The adjourned meeting of directors of tlie South Canterbury Dairy Company -was held i on the 23rd ult. Mr Thomson, chairman of j directors, in opening the meeting, expressed 1 the hope that the permanent directors Mould work together as amicably as tlie provisional direct6r? had done. In respect to ways and means for making a start, it was re'poitod that a deputation from the director* had waited upon a business man in Timaru with regard to the raising of capital for the erection of the necessary buildings, and that he had promised to iet the directors know in a day or two how much he would be prepared to advance. Messrs Aymes, Thomson, Swancy, and Goodeve were authorised to make arrangements at Temuka for securing the season's suppiv of milk. It was decided to erect creameries at Fairlie and. Albury, provided a guarantee of 150 cows for each district is given by November 1. Mr G. P. Wood was appointed secretary. Sixtyfive additional shares were allotted. The newly-formed Amberley Breeders' Association made an excellent entry into public life with their first show, which was held on the 23rd ult. in a paddock close to the saleyards. The principal object of the association is to enable farmers and horse-breeders generally to exhibit their /ouug stock before the stud season commences, so as to obtain a better idea Df the progeny left by tho different sires standing in the district. The success of the show fully justified the formation of the association, and it should be the means of causing more interest to be taken .locally in horse-breeding. In Mr G. B. Starky the association has an enthusiastic president, and he is supported by a strong committee, Mr 8.. J. Parsons being an efficient secretary, and Mr W. H. Rhodes lion, treasurer. The number of entries received (96) was very satisfactory, and as a prominent horse-breeder remarked, was a much better start than was made by several of the principal associations in the province. The attendance, which was composed almost entirely of people interested in horse-breeding, wag very lofid.

j The first Teport of Mr J. A. Kinsella sinca . his appointment) as commissioner of dairying • for the colony has. been issued. It covers a period of 12 months, ending 30th March-last, and is of an exhaustive jharacter, embody*. ing- 60 pages of reading matter, a>nd a number of illustrations. Reviewing generally the-position of dairying, Mr Kinsella i&ys in his introductory remarks: — "It is pleasing to record a substantial advance in the dairying industry during the period under review. In the earlier part of the seasoo it was feared' that the output of butter and cheese would

not exceed, or might even fall short of, that of the previous year, owing to the continuous wet, cold weather, which checked the growth

of grass, and was severely felt by the cattle

where not properly sheltered. The rough spring was, however, followed by a favourable summer and autumn, which, by affording abundant pasturage to the increased number of cows used for dairying, 'brought the total exports of butter and cheese up to 293,705cwt, being an increase over the previous 12 months of 30,912cwt, equal to 13.05 per cent. Prices were more than maintained.

with the result that the total value of the produce mentioned amounted to £1,039,04-3, an increase of £137,08*, or 15.19 per cent.

It is gratifying to note that the annual value of New Zealand dairy produce has now, reached and exceeded tho million sterling' mark — a record in the history of our industry."

The Papakaio annual ploughing match is an institution which attracts men from hundreds of miles away, both north and south.

to iis competitions. The committee have occasion for gratification at this continued and vn abated interest. The match held on Thursday last was one of the most successful event- of the kind that have taken place in the colony, and the work done was equal to anything ever donf> under similar circumstance*. There were all thf usual deterrents to good ploughing, but as they were present in evej-y section, there were the same obstacles for all to contend with. The feature r-f Thursday's match was th« keen compotitLs-< l->t- tween the Southland champion. (Mi Malcolm Gray) and Mr Alex. Hall, the time-honoured chamoion of this district, who, together with Mr Norman Gray, lasfc year's cup winner, ran each other very closely for this year's honours. Everybody was pleased with the work done in botii <.'lfi.-=s?s, and towards the close keen interest: was takc-n in Malcolm Gray's finishing '" touches." He had got so well into place* with all othpr points that this one seemed to be a turning one, but in this respect he also scored. The competitors iv class B are all promising men, and their work showed that they will all be fully competent to represent their districts ai other ineotins;s. In cla?^ AMr Malcolm (■•raj' wa< fii-ii. securing a money prize ol £6; Mr Alexander Hall second. £5: and Norman Gray third, £3. In class BMr Willis Gray, jun., gained fh-st honours. £5: ill- Martin Brophy. second, £4- : and Mr Robert Gray, third," £3. Mr Malcolm Gray nl>o carric-d off five special prizr-s, ii. eluding- the champions- hip up, whidi has to- be yon twice before ii, becomps Ihe property of lie y> inner. At ti.o conclusion of fhe procesdings hearty cheers wei"> given for ths donors of prizes, the juclgte, the owner of i)w land (Mr Wilson), and the secretary (Mr P. Dunn). With a single exception Reid and Gray ploughs were- used by the competitors. At a mooting nf tlif Chifrha branch cf thf* Now Zeabiid Farmer?' Union, held la.-!t "Wednesday, &n animaifed discussion look place on tho subject of differential chary?!* made by commission agent*. Mr J. B. M"Neil said one matter vitally affecting finmrrs was that of commission b pnid to agents. At present on fctatoe*, chaff, and horses they paid 5 per e?nt. commission, whereas on other stock the charge w;n 2' ? . "Ef> coi;h.dorcd ..he agtnts should he approached by the union and asked to reduce these charge's to the uniform one of 2£ ppr oenr. He could not sec >vhy they should get 5 per cent, for selling a horse and only 2£_ for a sheep or a bullock.— Mr P. A. Watt: They charge 5 per cent, on wheat too.— IJr M'Nei! : Yes. that is another thing. — The President: Yes, and we give the bags ir>. In Christchurch the commission charged is only 2£ per cent., and tho seller gets paid for his bag?. This 5 per cent, is a local matter, confined to Duuedin. — Other speakers considered the charges to the wheat producer— 2^ commission and 2^ discount to buyer— were unjust. The delegate to the Milton corference were instructed to bring the matter before that body. Correspondents of the Mount Ida Chronicle : —Kyeburn : The weather has at last become more like spring, but there is an absence of moisture in the ground, which does not give promise of c good peason either in cereal crops or grasj. Sowing io fairly well advanced, but some farmers are hanging back anticipating a dry seaso-u, in which case- the late crops have, in the past, been proved to be the best. Early lambs have not been doing well, the recent cold weather coupled with the scarcity of feed being responsible for many de-ath. Threshing is now finished. — Kokonga : The weather continue?

Turnip Seeds of the leading kinds, such as "Standard" Swede, Romney March, Sutton'a All the Year Bound, Aberdeen Green and Pulple Top Yellows, of best quality and strain, obtainabl§ from Nimmo and Blaih, Dxmedin*

i-

very dgr, and rain is badly wanted. The. oats that 'were sown two or three weeks ago are not y€fe through the ground, and grass is (very backward for the time of year; still the farmers keep on ploughing and Eowing,> hoping for the best. Lambing season .231 tbout commencing in "the generality of flock 3, and feai-s' are. entertained that there will be a big death-rate, in both ewes and lambs thi3 year from the want" of feed and. general of the ewes'. Many farmers already, in common' with their brother pastoraHsts in otUer parts of Sew Zealand, are losing a great jntuiy ewes. Weakness would appear to be the primary cause, consequent on poor nourishment, and yet those farmers who. wiutered their sheep well on turnips, say they are" losing , their ewes in the same ■way. Little can be done % io bring .a sheep round. once it sinks dojivn,* but one leading. ieatura in •this disease, or, whatever it 13, appeals to be an insatiable thirst. Some are t dcsinif the weak ones with new- milk. This is .only practicable "where the sheep are near Ihs homestead. '

m continuation of the experimental tests io finely invited by Mr Chapmau, says the London Meat Trades Journal of August 15, a foi-squarter of New Zealand and two hindquarters of River Phitfr frozen meat were put into macintosh covers on Saturday morning last and hung up in the stall of Messrs Bergl and Co., the Annexe, West Smithfiekl, E.C. On Monday mornings—nearly 36 iiours later — they- were taken out, their; colour being as nearly -as possible that of fresh towriskiUed)- handling quite as firm and' as dry. We' xinderstand the New Zealand quarter made 4d per stone more over best hard prices, aad the two hindquarters, not being; considered "ready." were kept over lill Tuesday morning, when they were sold «t an advance of 3d per stone, the difference, however, being due to the quality of the meat only. Altogether the "Chapmanising" process^ has proved itself a very successful one, and tve learn that several large firms have secured temporary permission from the patentee to get a number of suitable cover- - mgs made. Pending completion of arrangements as to payment of royalty, we understand oajy^a limited number of covers will be" manufactured.

Mr John M'Neil, J.P., In tlie course of losne remarks- made by him in the Balclutha Magistrate's Court, incidentally stated that there were cecta-in settlers at Oatlins who paid, neither rents, licenses, nor fees. ■. The canvass for support for the project io revive the Wyndham A. aod P. Society's annual show has met with a degree of sucress quite beyond the most hoppful expectations. The Herald understands that two canvassers have between them promises of cash of the value of £100.

The first lambs of the season, sold at BurnRide on Wednesday last, were bred by Mr 'John Head 3, of Milburn. The price jiaid pras a record" one, Mr Heads disposing of his "consignment at 19s 3d to 19s 6d each. *. The horse parade this year, under the auspices of the North Otago A. and P. Association, was not a united affair as it has been Vn the past. Owing to the Government {bringing the draught horse Danger Signal *o the district;, Messrs W. Gardiner, T. [Liken, and J. O'-Brien decided to keep their Jiorses at the Swan and Empire etables. Those on parade wee brought out in perfect conclition. There were only eight horses paraded.

Lambing is now general in the vicinity of Pairlie, in fact it is through on, several farms. iAs far as can be judged at present, the increase will be a good one. Twins are very tommon, and triplets are not altogether a rarity. A pedigree Shorthorn bull, one of six imported by the Gbyernment, was landed from fche s.s. Upolu at Lyttelton on Thursday last, land is to be sent to the Leeston district. The 'animal, " which is riging three years old, is toatriolically named Imperial Yeoman, and as of the best strain of milking Shorthorns Sn England. Two other bulls of equally good 'breeding, Plato, rising three years, and Capitain Middleton, 20 months, are on board the teams steamer, and destinecl for the Otago district. Mr J. P. Ross, of the Stock department, is travelling in. charge of the animals. The other three bulls have been retained in the North Island. The whole six ■were brought out from Home by the s.s. Iffctfctua ifi May lMt* And k»v# since been

undergoing quarantine on Somes Island. Wellington. They have been released in ad riiirable*, condition.