WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2504, 19 March 1902, Page 9

WAIRARAPA AGRICULTURAL NEWS

(From Our Own Cobrzspote:™.) autumn" cheese output.

In connection with this important 'ir.estion, a conference, promcte-d by the National Dairy Association, was recently held at Palmerston, the several Wairarapa factories being well represented. The real object of the conference was to consider the question of forming committees whose function would be to dispose of the produce of affiliated factories. A scheme prepared by the executive of the association was, after being amended and approved by a conference of delegates from the Taranaki factories, submitted to the present meeting, and was discussed at considerable length. Keen interest was taken in the whole scheme, a brief outline of which is as follows: — A committee to be formed in Taranaki, extending to that portion of the Wellington provincial district lying to the westward of the Wanganui .River, and another in the southern district, to include the remaining portion of the Wellington provincial district, together with the provinces of Hawke's Bay and Marlborough, each district to be controlled by a committee, to consist in each case of three members of the executive of the association and three delegates from the affiliated factories, the delegates to be elected by the interested factories, the joint committee to be elected at the opening meeting of the local selling season in January of each year, and to remain in office until the following season : the committee to decide the minimum price at which dairy produce is to be disposed of by the contributing factories for a stated period or periods, that is, for one, two, or three months, or any terms deemed advisable; any increased price which may be secured to be left to the individual factories. It is proposed that the committee should meet once a month, or more often, if desirable. Cable information is to be frequently secured. It is to bo hoped that the question of the disposal of factories' produce will now be satisfactorily settled, which should be the case by the adoption of the foregoing bcheme.

THE WEATHER

Since writing my last notes a fairly copious rainfall has been experienced throughout the district. The rain has had a very beneficial effect on root trops generally, which have be-eu brought on wonderfully. However, the fall did not continue as long as it was desired ; nevertheless, it has proved tho sahation of crops in many instances. Pastures, also, have been imparted with .i "wm«-!i tinge in place of • o hitherto khaki landscape, and altogether the general prospects now are much brighter than they were a week or two a?o. The improved condition of things is calculated to gladden the heart of the most depressed settler in the district, and is also one for general rejoicing. The welcome visitation was experienced none too soon, for had there been a continuance of the dry weather prevailing of late most root crops must inevitably have been completely lunicd, with a veiy serious consequence to dairy herds during the winter season The effect on stock, also, would, doubtless, be of a c eiious character, and almost difficult to realise. Weather is a vety important factor in connection with the prosperity of the farming community, and unless the meteorological conditious arc more favourable in the future than during the past season farmers will not find their occupation particularly remunerative. LAXD FOB CLOSE SETTLEMENT. A short time back the Wairarapa was favoured with what was then regarded aa a rather significant vi«it from Mr A. Barron, Land Purchase Commi:>sioner, which, together with incessant agitation, has practically culminated in the acquisition of land for close settlement purposes. It is understood that the Land Purchase Board has offered to buy the Hautoara estate, consisting of 20,000 acres. The property, which comprises some splendid country, is valued by the owner at~ £70,000. Recently Mr Barron (chairman of the board), Mr J. M'Gowan (Valuer-general), Mr J. N. A. Marchant (Surveyor-general), and Mr Rco-e (a member of the Land Board) visited the district. Tho party inspected several sections suitable for close sottlcmont, amongst the number being Longbuch, Mr F. Johnston's property at Ponatahi, Bush Gully, and Ngakonui. The various properties insj3ecle4 cjomprisg 37»flQQ gftd when

acquired by the Government will be capable of settling 150 families. The party was much impressed with the country. It is expected that the Government -valuer will shortly arrive in the district and value the .properties mentioned. It is now regarded as a certainty that the principle of close settlement will be applied in this district, which will unquestionably tend to increase the value of property generally, and give the dairying industry a further impetus. The settlers interested in the progress and expansion of the district will, no doubt, receive the latest developments with delight, became they represent a very important step in the right direction. NOXIOUS WEEDS. Ragwort, to which I have, previously re- '■ f erred, continues to spread very rapidly in many parts of the Eketahuna district. At the present time the weed is in full bloom, and the tall yellow flowers may be seen in various localities The member for the district, Mr Hogg, says he feels convinced that the want of energetic action in suppressing the weed will create both more labour and expense to settlers, eventually having a very disastrous effect. There are many mstanoss where there are only a few plants, but by being neglected and allowed to seed the nuisance is distributed over considerable areas. The river banks, that are usually cared for by nobody, provide an excellent ground for the cultivation of these weeds, and the mischief caused by the conveyance of the seeds from river to river and stream to stream is incalculable. In a similar manner, when sheep are being driven along the highways, seed accumulating on their fleece may be dropped and blown on neighbouring properties en route, to the loss and damage of settlers. However, as the department now intends to rigorously enforce the provisions of the act, it can confidently be anticipated that very shortly, providing, of course, accompanying vigilance and labour are invoked, the prevailing nuisance will be considerably diminished TRIALS OK BACK-BLOrK SKTTLEBS A matter of considerable importance in connection with the failure to" complete roads leading to back-block settlements was mentioned at an address recently given by Mr Hogg, M.H.R.. at Eketahuna. It appears that the main thoroughfare to the Stirling block is impascable, about a mile of the road requiring to be repaired and metallod before the settlers will be able to drive through the block. Of late Mr Hogg has been making representations to the Government to consider the position of settlers in the back blocks should they or their families be overtaken by accident or sickness. Previously the settlers had waited on him, and shown their accounts for medical attendance. Invariably these are the price of a hor'>e or cow, and in the case of serious fickness. involving a number of visits, the doctor might just as well take the settler ' 6 section. Mr Hogg has pointed out to the Government that as the State makes generous provision for the maintenance of lunatic asylums and keeping a medical staff, similar cor c ideration should be made to the settlers in the bush. The question is one evoking much discussion by those concerned, and it is generally acknowledged that the backblock settlers should at least have some of i their trials alleviated by Go\ernment assistance. 1 THE HAIRTIXG INDUSTRY. I A meeting of Alfredtou settjers interested in the establishment of a dairy factory in that district was held recently, and considerable interest was evinced in the movement. Mr Cecil Kebell was voted to the chair. Mr H. C. L. Robinson, of Masterten, who was present by invitation, delivered an address, explaining the method of starting and working a dairy factory. Ho also stated that he had been in communication with Mr. Kinsella, who was, unfortunately, unable to attend that meeting, but would cither attend a subsequent meeting or send Mr M'Gowan. It was resolved that it was desirable to commence dairying in the district. A committee of settlers was elected to collect information respecting the best form of industry and other data, in order to successfully establish thp movement. Generally speaking, the Alfredton district j embraces come valuable dairying country, | and, with judicious management, there is no reason why the industry should not be made as remunerative as in other districts. MISCELLANEOUS A rather alarming increa e e in the rabbit pest took place in the Kaiwhata district (a Native settlement) a few months ago ; but now, by successful poisoning operations, a considerable abatement of the pc-t has taken place. The inspectors have experienced considerable trouble with the Natives in connection with the rabbit question, but at last Native owners ha\e bpen persuaded to adoot energetic- action in the suppression of the pest. The Natives may now be eeen devoting their energies to the extermination of " bunny." and their efforts are being attended with most satisfactory results.

During the mcoth of February the Masterton Dairy Factory manufactured 87631b of butter from tho milk and cream supplied. This is a very satisfactory return, when the fact that there was a decrease in the supply m taken into consideration.

A Parkvale farmer has clis-eovered a plant which, in it' infancy, attacks clover with twining tendrils, kills it. and then runs riot as a noxious weed. The plant resembles the Scotch teazle, and a specimen has been forwarded to the Agricultural Department. It is stated by a prominent dairyman that the decline in the milk yield in the Wairarapa during the late dry soa=oii was almost one fifth. At the Dalefield Factory the supply in the flush of the season registered 4600 gallons and the supply a fewweeks, ago decreased to 3601 gallons. This. is very satisfartoiy in comparison with the decline of fully 50 per cent, which has taken place in some instances in the district During the season right under the hillp there has been frequent rainfalls, eniibequcutly there is an abundance of green, succulent feed, while pastures a short distance away have been completely dried up. The rather low state of the stock market is attributed to the dry weather experienced There is a good demand for breeding ewes, but the prices ruling are not very high. The inquiry for young cattle is fairly brisk, whereas in all "other sorts there is cio demand at all, lambs particularly beine a glut on the market. The prices prevailing are not too favourable Breeding ewes are realising about 6s, sound-mouth ewes 7s 6d, email two and four tooth ewes 7s. and lambs about Us 6d Dairy cows are bringing from £4 to £6 10s.