AGRICULTURAL AND PASTOSAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2522, 16 July 1902, Page 6

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTOSAL NEWS.

The following is an < \tract from a letter from o well-known Southland farmer at pjcf'eiit visiting Now South Wales and Queen-land: — "For hundreds of miles along the northern lino from Sydney all the .sheep) and catt'e are dead or shifted. Many autho-r-ties .-ay there are not 25,000,000 of" sleep ahvo in New South Wales, or more than 6,090,000 in Queensland. There is a. lit tie more dry grass on tbe Darling Downs, Queensland, than in New South Wales, bufc the drought has pra'tically ruined everything here this year. No <-heep have been lost 3-et on the Darling Downs, but they are beginning now to feed them on hay, chaff, etc. We it-sited the properties of and

(both New Zealander'). Both places j>re as dry as chip?, and to the uninitiated; look as if a rabbit would not li\e. Ne\ertlielooP, the stock on both places are ia luir condition."'

It will be of interest to New ZealanderS to know that at the v tutor blmiv of horses and fat stock of the Soeiedad Rural Argentina (Argentine Rural Association), held ill

Grower? of Fruit should consult Nimjio axij Blair's general catalogue of Plants, in which will be found not only a collection, of fctandard varieties, but all the latest novel tie-, worth growing. In this catalogue will aL=o be found an up-to-date selection oi Seeds vl all kdnd£uM

Bvreno3 Aires, the first prize for Durham {shorthorn) bullocks was taken by a pen cf -eight steers, four and a-ha!f years old, bred at -the Estancia Sam Joige (the property of Messrs Drabblo Bros, and Co.), of which Mr G.- F. Drabble, an old ex-New Zealander and ex-Orago High School boy, is manager. The same pen toot also the championship of the show. The second prize in Durhams was taken by a lot of steers bred at iho Estancia El Dorado (the property of Sencr Binito Villanusva), managed by Mr John Stent, also an ex-New Zealander. The first and champion pen sold at auction for 310 paper dollars, equal to £25 11s Id, at the rate- of exchange, and weighed (live weight) 865 kik>3 each, or, say, 19501b.

The Southern Standard's Riversdale correspondent writes: — There is etill a fairly large quantity of grain, being despatched from the local stores, the bulk of which is for shipment to South Africa.

Writes the Tapanui Courier: — Winter feed is reported to be scarce, and turnips aro not standing any eating. Chaff is a'.EO exceedingly scarce and dear. The new dairy factory at M'Laren's Gully, Otakia, is nearly completed, and everything points (says the Taieri Advocate) to an early start being made.

At a meeting of the Canterbury Agricultural and Pastoral Association a resolution limiting prizes to sheep bred in New Zealand or which had been in the colony for at least 12 months was rescinded. A member gave notice of motion to debar imported shep from taking championship 3 . The next show was fixett for November 12, 13, and 14.

The residents of the Petaae township, Hawke's Bay, recently decided to co-operate in the destruction of black-berry and sweetbriar, with which inauy of the sections were, overrun. The result ha 3 been a most satisfactory cleaning up. Mr S. W. Luxford. a successful stockbreeder of Palmerston North, has purchased several cattle from the wei!-known Ayrshire iherd of Mr W. Rjinkin, Waikiwi, at gatis factory figures. The mob passed through Invercargill on Wednesday, en route for IPort Chalmers, where they will be shipped for the north.

The movement which originated in the "Wairarapa to establish co-onerative freezing works baa spread to tho other side of tlie range. To-day delegates from that district met a, large meeting of farmers here for tlie purpooo of exp'aining the details of the ccheine. Addresses were delivered by Messrs R. Smith (Paluatua), Perry (Makuri), and D. Buchanan (Masterton^, after which a resolution was passed that a committee be formed to act in conjunction with others already formed in various districts with the object of bettering the prices of fat stock. Messrs R. S. Abraham, Engels, and A. E. Russell were appointed delegates to attend a conference to be held at Woodvillo on the 17th.

Tlie Canterbury A. and P. Association, liaving decided to hold their annual show on November 12, 13, and 14, the dates appropriated by the Manawatu A. and P. Association in May last, the Finance Committee of the latter afeociation met this morning, and 'decided to communicate with the Canrertmry Association, and also to hold an emergency meeting of the General Committee on Saturday to discuss the situation.

The Bruce Herald writes: — Young lambs have already made- their appearance on a few farms in the Milburu district, and Mr J. Heads, who mates a specialty of br«»odiug for the Christmas trade, is again first in the field.

A resident of Clarksville informs the Bruce Herald that quite a number of do?s (both old and younc) are dying in that and Southbridge districts from distemper. Some of the animals were valuable sheep dogs, and though the usual couree. of dosing with sulphur, etc., has been tried, owners have failed to find a cure.

Mr M'Nab, M.H.R., who is at present extensively planting trees at his estate a.t Knapdale, has extended aji invitation to the committees of the Gore Dibtrict Higli School and the East Gore and the Knapdale School to have an object lesson in tree-planting given tc the pupils in the higher standard". The invitation was accepted, ajid Mi M'Nab arranged to have the Gore children drhen to tho estate in drag?.

Farm work at Waikaka is being pushed on with all speed (writes the correspondent of the Mataura Ensign). Stork on turnips are <]oing splendidly, and "-honkl the snow keep away, there will be plenty of feed on tho majority of farms for the stock this jc-ar — until spring and the young grasu comft along »t anyrate. •*

The secretary of the Tuapeka Agricultural Society has received a, communication from Mr James Bennet, M.H.R.. to the effect that there is not much likelihood of either of the shire horses being located in the Tuajseka district, but that he hopes to secure the- services of one of the light horses. The death rate in lambs in Otago is increasing at an alarming; rate, and in this district (says the Tapanui Ccrurier) the losses this year are appalling; Disease seems to attack many of the flocks about weaning time, and as far as inquiries have gone — — «T, a _ the

by the Government veterinary

death rate is caused by blood poisoning or fever, for which there is no special antidote ; and in the meantime they recommend a continued ohange ot feed as a check to the disease. The dreaded microbe is, of course, blamed for the mischief, and the veterinary surgeons recommend the immediate burial cr total destruction of all carcases of lambs dying from disease The lambs that do not che become terribly emaciated and weak, and generally remain in a poor state until shearing time, when their wool is "tender" nnd badly grown. Unless a remedy can be found for the disease, we think that many of oui farmer^ will ha\e to cho sheep-breeding a rest for a time, until their ground is relieved of the microbe. "Lungworm" is generally supposed to be< a great factor in the death rate of lambs, but the "new disease" — as yet not thoroughly understood — is far more deadly, and it kills strong and weakly lambs with equal rapidity. The symptoms of the disease are fever, with a rapid loss of flesh, and wool becoming loofo from pelt. Just before- death there is frothing at the mouth. After death there aro blood-marked patches on the skin and on the flesh opposite. These patches resemble brui»o marks. In skinning such sheep the grcateft care should bo taken to avoid the risk of blood-poisoning, and no person having sores on the hands should skin the carcase?. In the meantime Mr Gilruth and his colleagues are making every effort to find a remedy for the disease amongst lambs.

The monthly meeting of directors of the Albury Saieyards Company, Limited, was held en the sth inst., Mr .1. S Rutherford in the chair. A balance sheet showed that the company had a credit of £31 4s Bd. It was rosohrd to continue the monthly s.alei as at present.

A weekly contributor to tho Tapanui Courier writes as follows: — The member for Mataura (Mr R. M'Nab) is advocating treeplanting in Mataura Valley He was first reported as desirous of shifting the State Nursery frm Tapanui. but that report is sinco contradicted. I s^e no reason why portions of Maiaura "Valley should not be forested, a^ there i« plenty of scope and wasto lands that would grow timber. Forest trees never flourished as well in the Mataura a« in the watershed of the Pomahal:a. Tlie Hokonui bu^h in iU hes^ days was not to be compared with Tapanui forests. The black pine at Hokonui in 1375 afforded sleepers, but there- v.as great difficulty in getting 14ft. Thero wcie t-omo magnificent tree?, but those expos-cd to the southerly blasts were short and stunted. Tlie white pine is "pipoy" also. j"i'l flanged and gutfied. Red pine and mero seemed to thrive best ; but the totara of any useful f izp was rotten; kowhai good. The Hokonui bush land was alfo very steep to work, and would bo difficult to replant. From the Field, May 31: — Mr Hanbury's reply to the influential deputation which waited on him at the Board of Agriculture on May 27, in reference to the manufacture and sale of milk-blended butter, was entirely satisfactory. Tho president of the Board of Agriculture has no sympathy with practices of this kind, and he requested tho deputation to have the matter in his hands until he had gone more fully into the present relationship of the law to this c!a»3 of trade. He does not hide his confirmed belief that if the existing law is not strong or definite enough to check the pale of inferior butter, it ought to be amended, ho as to convey biicli power. If Mr H anbury iias his v.iy there will be no avoidable delay m dealing with tho matter.

At a, special meeting of the- Tokarithi Crown TenanU' Association, held on tho 4-th infct., Mr Murray prFS-iding, there was a fair attendance. In answer to an applicaTokara. 1 !! Crown Teunants' Association, on behalf of a tenant for a reduction of rent in connection with the leeent flood.-, a letter was received from the board to tho effect that they could not recognise tin* Tokarahi Crown Tennai.ts' Association. After considerable discussion, a line of action was agreed upon on the position taken up by the Otago Land Board towards the Tokarahi Crown Tennanta' Association. Tho delegates gave their rej>"rt of their interview with the Minister of Lands which was accepted as satisfactory.

Tho Pomahaka Downs correspondent of the Southern Standard writes: — Tlie winter, so far. has been an exceedingly mild one, and all farm work is well forward. When ploughing is completed at this time of year Ics^ work is required to effect a good seedbed in the spring-time. As a rule, better results are always obtained wher this land is ploughed early Government poisoners will commence work this week. This operation will interfere with the Waipahi rabbit cart, which has been running daily for the last two or three months, delive-ring rabbits at the railway station, en route to the freezing works.

Between Palmerston and Ashurst. on the flat below the railway line, an enthusiastic amateur poultry farmer has erected a gigantic lnoubator, in the shape of a brick building, where he hatches in incubators chickens by the thousands.

The monthly meeting of the committee of the Gore A. and P. Association was held on the sth inst., Mr G. Milnes in the chair. The chairman, who was one of the delegates at the Agricultural Conference held recently in Dunedin, gave a lengthy verbal report on the business transacted there. He epoke eulogistically of the work done by the conference, and of the way it was conducted.

It was decided to hold the next conference in two years' time at Auckland Government officials connected with the Agricultural department were at the conference, and the speaker added a tribute of praise to the work they did. They were diligent and earnest, and their presence would be the means of measures being passed which the farmers desired. Mi Murdoch, the other delegate, said that tlie conference had been successful in a a ay. There had been a considerable difference of opinion between the North Island members and the South. The former had the power in numbers as well as the '"spouting" power, and had things a good deal their own way. However, nothing injurious was done to the interests of the South Island farmers. On the contrary, much of an advantageous nature was done, and a large number of useful resolutions had been carried A cordial vote of thank 3 was parsed to the delegates for their services. — Tiic date of the annual meeting was fixed for Augu«t 9.

Messrs Tripp and Rolleston, as solicitors to the Mackenzie County Council, wrote to the Canterbury Land Board on the 4th inst. concerning prosecution cf a claim against the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company, Limited, for damages in respect of the destruction of the Lake Tekapo plantation. The board resolved to recommend that the matter shou'.d be placed in the hands of the Crown Solicitor, to institute proceedings if he considers the evidence sufficient.

How one good intention may cut against another was well exemplified at tho Farmers' Union Conference at 'Wellington (?ays tho New Zealand Times). Mr A. G. Glass stated that on his holding in the north of Auckland he had some very \aluable white pine, whiih ho wi"lied to conserve until he was able to sell it through a mill, but he feot notice the other day that if he did not cut it down forthwith he would forfeit Lis selection. •'What is the use," he said, "of trying to conserve bush if the Government tells you you must cut it down':"

It is reported that negotiations betwoen the owners of the Mayfie-ld estate, Ashburton County, and the (Jo\ernment for the purchase of the property for close settlement have fallen through.

The settlers in the Government known as May town, and situated on thenorth road about a mile from \Vaimati\ aro all bus-y fencing, ploughing, building, dm-li-ing, etc Already there- aio some half dozen houses erected, and others will bo built Fhortly. About 200 acres of land are ploughed and ready for sowing. The majority of the settlers appear to bo thoroughly satisfied with their holding?. Judging from the business-hko minnei in which the tettlois are going about their woik they are. determined to make their ventures a succe", and from the cheery, contented, and selfhelping spirit that rules amongst them, thenefforts should be well rewarded. — Timaru Post.

The following is tlie reply received by Mr J. O. Wilson, 2"> resident of the Farmers' Union, to his letter to the War Office with regard to the oomract- for oats: — "I am directed by tho Secretary of State for War to acknowledge the receipt of your letter, dated March 15, on the. subject of the supply of New Zealand oats for South Africa, ami to acquaint you, in reply, that it is regretted that it is impossible to Fay what the Department's requirements v. ill be so far ahead as March, 1903. Mr Brodrick de-ires me to thank you for your letter, and to say that if, in the autumn of tite present year, there should bd any piobability of a demand for oats for South Africa to be mot in 1903, your letter will be brought up for coi:»idcra tion." The letter is signed by the- Assistant Director of Army Contract*

Tho dishorning of cattle 1- prohibited I>y l<iw m liiigland, but it doe, not n»cf-'a.n'v f.-llow that ifc would bi* !l'efrnl to prevent the giowth of Items, as may eas-ily s>c done by tlie use of a. caustic. Tlie pr.'c<tn-o of burning the young horn while still soft is common in s-omc parts of .Scotland, .a all events, and no e\il effects aro traceable, while tlieie is a general concensus <>f opinion favourable alike to the advantage * gained by remo\in;T tho horn-> and to the efficacy of the method. An experiment in the ti-,e of caustics for this puipose has been carried out at the Mai viand Agricultural Experiment Station, U.S.A., and in tho course of a fa\ourablo report it v observed that

■"there i.~, of emir-e. "-oine pain to the young calf by the u,e of the raimtio, a« it has t!ic effect of entirely burning away the -km from over the horn; but t!u« pain i-- not of tho nature of a violent nervous shock, as muet be caused by dehorning dippers on dio mature animal, and there 1= no 10-s of blood." — Field.

About 700 people turned out on "Wednesday last to witness the Drummond plougiimg match. Probably there would have been even more had the day proved le->s threatening. Drummond district is noted for iU particularly fine show of horses. The jud"es last year gave it as their opinion that there mu.=t liavp- been between £4000 and £5000 value of horses on the ground. This year they consider the turnout cannot l>o eclipsed in Otago. The veteran John M'Farlane scored heavily with his horses. The plough. in>j, too, was above the average. Mr D. Hardie managing to pret the coveted honours, beating last year's champions, both district and provincial. The judging of horses, harness, etc., was in the capable hands of

Messrs James Oughton, Thomas Ryder, and R. Taylor, and, indeed, the task was no light one. The judges for the ploughing were Messrs J. A. Mitchell, James Fleming, and David Younger. This is the third year in succession in which these gentl«men have been chosen for this position, and, judging by the repeated applause which greeted their decisions, the confidence of the committee and public had not been misplaee<l. Too much praise cannot be given to the committee for the masterly manner in which the programme as a- whole was put through in good time. In Mr T. A. Buckingham the association have a most obliging and energetic secretary. After the secretary had read the judges' decisions amidst much applause, three cheers were given for Mr Hamilton for the use of his ground. The weather in the Mackenzie Country 13 remarkably fine and dry. The whole country is quite free from snow. Though there have been two falls all trac» has gone, a most unusual thing for this time of the year. So free of snow is this district that the very highest of the sheep country might have still been grazed, only that, following the practice of other seasons, the shepherds have mustered the high lands. An adjourned meeting of the Teviot and Ale-xandra Fruitgrowers' Company was held at Roxburgh on tho sth inst. for the purpose of further considering the question of establishing a jam and canning factory. Mr J. Bennetts presided. A long discussion took place as to whether the- factory should bo located in Dunedin or Roxburgh. The meeting decided in favour of Dunedin, and the following resolution, moved by the chairman, was ca-iried unanimously : —"That thih company take in hand to secure premise* for the purpose of disposing of fruit by its own appointed manager, and that the- time- has armed when the company should establish a. J.tin factory and canning and pnlpmg works in connection with their business, and that tho same should be in Dunedin.

T!ic annual meeting of the Palmerston and Waihemo County A. and P. Association look place on the sth lnst., Mr J. Ross (presi dent) in the chair. rlher lhe repoit stated that the twenty-first annual snow was held on Friday. 6th December, 1901, in the local show ground, and, taken all round, must bo considered to have been quite as success-fill as any held for many year?. The entries numbered 519, a~> against 480 for the pro- \ ious year, and the attendance of the pubLo \va> well up to la-t year's record. The balance sheet bhows a credit balance of £133 4s Id, this being an increase of £49 2s 9d on the balance at the end of tho previous year. In view, of the satisfactory state of the finances, your committee decided to have' a luncheon and refreshment room erected on the show piound at an estimated co^t of £80. The President moved the adoption of the report and balance sheet, which was carried unanimously. — The election of officers was then proceeded with, and resulted as follows : —Pres-ident, Mr A. Fleming; \ ice-president, Mr D. Millar; committee—Messrs R. Cameron. E. H. Clark, J. Ros?, A. Bannatyno, D. M'Leod, E. Lefevre, J Stewart, .7. Douglas, S. D. Trotter, H. O'Neill, 1). Ro=s. and ¥ M'Callum ; field steward, Mr J. Ro 5.<-:5 .<- : lion, treasurer, Mr C. Gfilespie fre-e-ir^v-'i : -■>,[ hon. secretary, - J. S. Miller (re-elected). A prominent re^ilt-iu climates the value of rabbits forwarded from Dunbaek during tlie> last three- months at £100 per week.

At Uio Gore Magistrate's Court on Thursday last, before Mr Cruickshank. S.M., two t ases were heard under the Stock Act. Gavin WhiteCeld was charged by the stock inspector with failing to dip 200 sheep within the prescribed period. Defendant, fcr whom Mr Veave appeared, pleaded jruilty. and was fined 3d per head (£2 10s), and costs £l 13=. .1. H. Burrell wa» tlie other defendant, being charged with f.uhu^ to dm 75 cheep. MiInder appcan d for dcleiidant. wlio pleaded trinity, and was fined <-imilaily, in all 18s 9(1, with coi.t< £1 10s.

Another effort is about to bo- ma<'e to rstabli-h a dairy factory in tho Tuturau dis tritt. We (Wvndhain understand that the initiative this time it, beine taken by tho directors of the Mataura Dairy F.ictorv Company, who propose to erect a creamery station tliorc. It would seem fiom t!u-- tuft the Matamii directorate purpo-e m^dlinsr a butter making plant at their head centre.

Tlip. Wellington correspondent of Hie Lvt-tr-lton Tinier telegraohs that Mr Meredith lias :u rnn ßed with the Agricultural department for :i member of the Government vrterinarv ttiifP to vi'it the. Amherlpv, Seffon. n.,'l T>itl>fifld d'-incts. and to lecture ip Ambei 1< v on hors-e hreeclinsr. on the be<>fc nnniitv of cattle, for dairy nurnoses, and on tho di«ea«-e<; "f .sock eenenillv- Also, he lia« arranepil for tlio \ i-it of a Government fiint pxnort. to eivo practical instruction on tiep-plant'tiK and fruit culture.

A mertinc of the rommittee of the North Ota2O A. and P. Association was held on Wednesday )a=t. There was a Rood attendance, and Mr T. Re-id (president) occupied the chair. A deputation from the Palmerston Society waited upon the committee to request tho society to alter its days of show, so that the" Palmerston Society could have the Friday, and thus have their show between Oamaru and Dunedin. In discussing the matter, Mr Gardiner said that it would suit the Palmerston Society just as well to hold their show on the Tuesday after O&mAru and before Dunedin. Several mem-

bers thought this would be the better plan, and it was resohed to adhere to the dates as fixed last year. — Messrs H. B. Crawford, J. Bulleid, and John M. Forrester wait«d upon the committee to ask if the society would make a vote from its funds toward? the fallen troopers' memorial, as the Caledonian Society would supplement what tho Agricultural Society gave. Mr Wylie moied that tit© matt-ci be deferied till next ineeting. He was hi favour of giving a little, but members could make up their minds by next ineeting. Mr J. Mitchell seconded the motion, which was agreed to. — The Secretary said that the prize list this year would be £475, as against £437 4s last year, or an increase of £38 11s 6d. As the prizes as fixed at last meeting were not finally passed, Mr Gardiner moved that tho third prize in the horse, classes be not given. Mr Brownlee seconded the motion, ond it was carried. — All regulations regarding cups were cut out. Power was given to judges to withhold piizcs in any sections if they consider the exhibits not of sufficient merit. The committee of the Ashburton A. and P. Association met on the- Bth inst., when there was a large attendance, the pro&idenfc (Mr T. Stone) occupying the chair After somo discussion it was decided to allow the Farmers' Union to have the> use of the association's rooms free of charge for meetings. It was decided to hold a iwo-days>* show this year, to be held on the Thursday and Friday previous to the Christchurch, show. Mr W. Simpson was re-eleote<t secretary, after nino years' service in than capacity, -and Messrs R. Friedlander and Albert Roberts treasurer and auditor respectively. It was decided that the obtaining-cf-fcignatures to the petitiorf for 'the service*? of a qualified veterinary surgeon should b» more vigorously prosecuted. Tho South Canterbury Dairy Company (j-ayn the Timaru Post) is steadily forging s»hoad. The amount of business done, so> far, has exceeded expectations, and prospects for the spring are very bright indeed. It is anticipated that in a few months' time creameries will be erected in all the outlying districts, and that then 4000 gallons of milk per day will be put through at the local factory. A visit to the factory shows that all tho machinery is working splendidly, and that Mr Dixon, the manager, has everything in excellent order. The demand for the company's product at tho present time far exceed* the supply— a fact which speaks volumes for it, considering that the factory is not yet out of its initial stage?. A meeting of the General Committee of tho Canterbury A. and P Association took j<laoe on Wednesday la*t. Dr Levinge (president) was in the chair, and botween 30 and 40 members were present. Mr H". H. Seeretan, secretary to the Canterbury Hall Company, wrote asking the committee to nominate one of its members as a director of the company. Mr- W. Eeece was appointed to the position. — The Chairman stated that all. the recommendations sent to the recent conference by tho association had been adopted. — Mr 'D. Macfarlano lpportcd that tho committee appointed had visited Mr R. Chapman's estate at Lowland Leas, where 33 t>f the merino rams entered . for the wool-scouring competition were win- ) tercel. The sheen were in a very satisfactory condition — It was decided, oiu>itie motion § of Mr J. Anderson, that the eipxf of £o0 should be spent in securing a portrait of the late Mr R. Wilkin, in place of the one. destroyed by fire. — Tt was decicfed that the November ...show should be held on N^cmber 12, 13, aud 14.— Mr G. Gould \va3 elected to the Ground Committee' in place of tho late Mr Dean*. Mr Piryman to the Cattle- Committee, and Mr Lewis to tho Reception Committe". — With the \ iew of r')pulari>ing tho ,i=socialion, the President t'loupl't tlie institution should be brought into e'o-cr touch with farmci- This could In- ar ( omphshed Ijv throwing the association's large, room m the Canterbury Hall L'lildmg open to farme-is on Saturdays, wlir-n they could use it as a club rcoin. Bos-itles that, tho Government mi^lic be pi-kcd to place tho f-ervices of expcits on agriculture, stock, horticulture, poultry, and so on at tho disposal of the association, =c that lectures might be given on tho Saturdays. The F( hemo having been favourably entertained' by the meeting, a rommitte* was appointed to inquire into the matter and report — In refcrenco to tho competi tion of imported t-heep at Canterbury =how«, Mr Gould moved -"That the follow in;» resolution excluding imported sheep from competing at our shows until they havo been a year in the colony be reFcinded, viz. : ' That prizes for bheep bo limited to fcheep bred in New Zealand or to sheep which have- been in the colony for a period of more than 12. months. Thm regulation is not intended, "however, to- prevent theentry of sheep imported within that period for exhibition only.' " He thought that at members had had an opportunity of thinking the matter out he need not say much. The Canterbury Association was one which had the- premier position in the colony, and yet it was the only one having a resolut.oa

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of that kind. If a man could import a sheep able to beat anything in the province he was doing a service, and if they were not able to hold their own in Canterbury, then it was time for them to learn a lesson. Several members having spoken on the matter, the motion was carried, on a division, by 13 votes to 7. — Mr Hugonin gave notice to move at next meeting — "That imported sheep can be entered for prizes under the conditions, but shall not be entitled to a championship unleae they have been 12 months in the colony."

Mr D. Macfarlane announced at the last meeting of the Canterbury A. and P. Association that the Wolseley Sheep Shearing Company, through Messrs Levin and Co. of Wellington, had offered a cup, valued at lOgs, for the best sheep in the scouring competition at the association's show. The trophy, he said, would be a challenge cup, and it would have to be won three years, not necessarily in succession, by one competitor before it became his pioperty. The company had sent one prize to Hawke's Bay, and another to Caoiteibury. It will be competed for in the same way as the private prize given by Mr Macfarlane last year. A vote of thanks was passed to the company.

We (Palmerston Times) understand that several parcels of grain from the Waihemo County, which were exhibited at the recent winter show, were purchased by a North Island fanner, who intends giving them a trial in the Napier district.

Britain may be viewed as one farm extending from county to county, interrupted by towns, it is true, but surrounding them as the ocean surrounds an archipelago of islands. If we view our farming in this way (says Professor John Wnghtson, in "Britain at Work'), we may grasp its wide extent and endless variety. Great Britain possesses a total area of 32.437,389 acres of cultivated iancl, of which 7,325,408 acres aro under corn, the rest being in permanent pasture, temporary pasture, root crops, fodder crops, etc. It includes over 51,000 acres of hops. 73,000 acres of fruit, and 308,000 acres of bare fallow. The capital employed is enormous, and may be roughly estimated at £227,000,000. while the amount paid in wages has been estimated at £30,000,000 per annum. There arc at least 1,000,000 men, women, and boya employed in agricultural pursuits in Great Britain, who not only cultivate the ground, but attend to 1,500.000 horses. 6,805,000 cattle, 26,500,000 sheep, and 2,381,000 pigs, besides countless poultry.

In order to assist settlement, it is proposed to introduce a bill this session providing that, in all future disposal of bush lands on settlement conditions, the selectors, upon payment of first half year's rent, will not be called upon to make further payment* of rent for the period of^from two to four years of their leases, according to the expense of clearing, the rents remitted being capitalised and interest charged thereon for a period of 10 years from the date that the rents became payable. The Argentine Minister of Agrioultuie. in a statement communicated to the Minister of Foreign Affairs on May 25, say 9 that foot-and-mouth" disease has been non-oxistent in Argentina for many months. In the course of the last aix months 630,000 cattle and 1,000,000 sheep have been brought into Buenos Ayres for the consumption of the population without a single case of disease having been detected. During the same period Ar(»entiua"exportcd to -South Africa nnd Brazil more than 120,000 cattle and 28.000 sheep without the occurrence of any epizootic disease. The refrigerating establishments prepared in the same six months about 500,000 cattle and 2,500.000 sheep, which were all minutely inspected and found to be healthy. The Government declares that in the event of foot-and-mouth disease breaking out it would be the first to notify the fact by prohibiting the exportation of live &tock, being anxious to uphold tho reputation of the principal source of Argentina's wealth. It is calculated that the farmers have more than 5,000,000 young cattle, ready for exportation. The Canterbury A and P. Association have intimated to the Manawatu A. and P. -Association that they cannot alter tho dates of the next annual show, which cla&h with the Manawatu fixture.

Four or five Masterton settlers intend followine the examnle of Mr G. H. Scales, of Wellington, and shipping sheep to Sydney. Several Canterbury farmers have (says the Western Star) been in Rivorton district lately inspecting land, and making a few purchases of stock.