LOCAL A. AND P, NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 2622, 15 June 1904, Page 8

LOCAL A. AND P, NEWS.

The Wyndham Farmer says that owing? to the rough weather last week outside farm work was brought to a standstill. The recent rains put the Mataura River in flood; and low-lying country near by was submerged. The waters are now subsiding. Farmers in the Milburn district have suffered recently through the depredations of dogs among their sheep flocks. '- The Clutha Leader is informed that a moderately large estate in tho district is to be voluntarily subdivided into email farms. A correspondent writes as follows in the Southland News : — The farmers of Southland may be thus described : Those who ate eager for large profits, but unwilling to expend money and labour to attain that end — i.e., who desire to make something out of nothing; those who do not go so far as this, but yet look for large profits from very small expenditure ; and those who hope indeed for large returns, but are yet prepared for an expenditure sufficient to secure the realisation of their aspirations. The first class cannot possibly succeed; the second only very rarely do so ; but if th » liberal policy of number three is wisely and energetically directed, it can hardly fail ia^ tjia long run. The "knowing" ones of the third class are at tho present time taking advantage of the low prices ruling for oats and chaff and turning" portions of their stocks of these commodities into mutton ; and. considering- .th© high prices sheep 1 are fetching, it 'is certain that the practice will pay handsomely. Although there are, generally, good crops of turnips throughout the district, still the intelligent, observant farmer knows well that stock fed on tiynipa alone are not so healthy aud do not fatten nearly so well as those which get a good fun off on, say, rough feed in a drained swamp" or £n tussock land. Where thi3 is nob to be had, i-h'e farmers, instead of selling? their chaff at £2 .pei> ipn and their oats at 13 per bushel, should seT> in order their field chaff boxes, and feod, if nr-t oats, at least chaff with the .turnips to their" snssp. In the absence of some dry feed the sheep

The special Gaiujeh 1 Fertiliser made up h-r Nimmo akd Brxnt -will Ire fennd to give excellent revolts Traefs «s«c? ft* Fhmers and Vegetables ; also fo* P«t Pi»»ts, in aud out of gre^nkocse. It is p«t «p in ?lb bs>g3, at 13 6d eaci. Ask l<mr »toreieej)«r foe it.

appear to be unable to make a proper cud, ] and remembering that turnips contain about 90 per cent, water, ifc is not difficult to understand why sheep appreciate some dry iced. Then, again, the fact that fat lambs are bringing from 14-s to 15s, two-tooth .wethers 20s, and aged ewes (fat) from 16s to 17s is surely evidence that it will pay to give them a good ration. Undoubtedly, tbe sama remarks apply in the feeding of stores, especially in tho case of ewes in lamb, and this particularly towards the lambing season. Mr John M'Queen, Southland, and Mr George Leadley, Ashburton, the latter a vice-president, are regarded as the two most likely candidates for the presiency of the New Zealand Farmers' Union, the colonial conference of whicn is to be field in Wellington in July. The presidency this year is to go to the South Island. The Dunstan Times of the 7th inst. says : The committee appointed to take steps to form a canning 1 factory company at RoxJ>urgk held its first "meeting- in tho Athenffiiim Hall- in t&afc town on Saturday last, the following 1 gentlemen being present: — Messrs J. Bennetts (chair), A. Manuel, Wataon, Orchard, Waight, Tamblyn, Michelle, Harris, Watt, Veale, and Cockburn. Mr Coekburn handed in the prospectus from Mr Lawson, and after a free discussion for jaome time it was decided that Messrs Bennetts and "Vea,l& interview the fruitgrowersof the district -to see what support they would give to » company with JBSOOO capi- ' ial, 3000 shares of £1 fa* be issued, and <the remainder held ia reserve. In' view of this decision it -was wisely agreed to hold over the various proposals made by Mr Lawson to a future meeting. Mr R. Capples, wiio sold off his stock Jut Otautatr last "weak, purposes taking a trip to the Old Country with the object of bringing some pedigree stock to New Zealand. Among- the stock he in ten-is bringing out (says the Western Star) ar«» a couple of Suffolk Punch etallions and tret ding mares. These belong to the Clydesdnle class, are ©lean-legged, and are suited for ploughing and general farm work, being quicker in action than the present Cijdcsdfcle in use in the district. From a fanner's point of view (says the Palmerston Times) the weather during the past month 'has been all that could be desired, and although there, have been occasional- showers there has been little or uo frost, consequently farmers Lave been enabled to make excellent progress with ploughing and sowing operations. Farm work is much farther forward' than is usual a* this time of the year, «nd in the Dunback and Shag Valley districts a compa-ratively large area of wheat has already been sown. As far as we can learn the area, under crop in this district will be much smaller than that of last year, but this ,13 no doubt accounted for by the excellent prices at present ruling for stock and the gradual extension of the dairying industry. Icocal farmers are just beginning to realise th© fact that it pays better to keep sheep or dairy cowa, than to grow grain with wlheat at 2s 9rf and oats at . Is. 2d per bush-el, and until tne prices'- of; these cereals take a turn for"tihe better we may expect » gradually diminishing production of grain in this distric:. The folfotiFing items relating to .He-riot and surrounding district appear in the Gore Standard of the 10th inst. : — During tihe. last few- months ,xoupb- attention has beem devoted to- necessary farm -work. Th©-season,-has been an exceptionally fin© one — in fact, one to be remambered .for its seasonable nature. Threshing has been completed one* month earlier than last ye,ar, mud in many places the yield exceeded expectations. The grain sample throughout has been fairly good, but the inducement to sell is not to the farmers' liking, and consequently much . grain is being stored in the different oantrej. lWbe<at, following the usxk^l. custom, remains in stock until th© spring threshing. Ploughing is well forward, both as regards stubble and lea, giving the district quite a smart up-to-date aspect. Quite a large number of cheep have been put upon the turnips during the last three or four weeks for topping off for freezing purposes. Rabbits are extremely scarce in the district this season ; in fact, during a trip extending some 25 miles into the goldfielda district, only one rabbit was noticed, and the solitary bunny was calmly sunning himself close to the road, upon the property of an M.H.R. Rabbits could formerly be counted along this same route in thousands. Writing on the 6th inst. the Fairfax correspondent of ' the Winton Record reports : Although, we- are at present experiencing severe weather, the oTEest settler seldom saw a better May, in consequence* of Tvihich farmers- have got a lofc of ground ploughed ia readiness for the ensuing turnip crop. It is reported that stock are a little back in , price,, but- really the. clearing, safe*- that have i>&en held in different parts of Southland show ao. indication of prices receding, but the reverse. Nearly all the farmers have threshed, and the grain was carted during fcHe good spell of fine weather we- experienced in May. Many crops did not thresh equal to expectations, but" if the prices were a little better we would hearless of the bad yield. All lea should be ploughed co as to allow the frost to do its part in pulverising the ground — it is also very effectual in killing weeds that may be BEmmed for turnips. In this locality stock, as a whole, are this winter so far very healthy. A great number of farmers are taking to covering their cows. They find 4he benefit, through the warmth, in the excess of milk tSiey get, and cows milking in •winter, if well fed and covered, are more profitable than these milking in the summer, butter being a better price. Horses are well maintaining their price. Last week, at Thornbury, a three-year-old Clan M'Arthur filly, full of quality, and bred by Mr jWm. Ford, of Isla Bank, was bought by that veteran in horse flesh, Mr R. Cupples, 83n., the- price being £55. She will no doubt be shown in th® ring, where ske should have no trouble in making a name for herself and her owner. The monthly meeting of the Tokomairiro Farnaere' Club was held a.t Milton on Thursday last, Mr W. Farquharson (p'residerut) in the chair. A motion was carried that all prize money in connection with the winter show be paid. Th© Secretary (Mr A. Campbell) presented a rough balance sheet in connection with the r&csat winter y-how, which showed a loss of about £6, the approximate receipts totalling £98 2s. and tho expenditure £104- lQ&.—lt wsw derifet? that th© annual social be held on Friday, July 22, and a committee was appointed to arrange details. At the Gore Court, on Thursday last, before a bench of justices. Wilso-n Hail. Geo. liynoh, and W. H. Tregilgus were each ftn.3d the minimum amount of £1 and costs for neglecting to furnish slieejj returns within

the prescribed time. Inspector Wright prosecuted. Two cases were withdrawn, and several adjourned til! next court day. Messrs John Fergusson and Sons, of Harringtons, disposed of a fine line of lambs for freezing at the satisfactory price of 15s, the Farmers' Co-operative Association being the purchasers. — Winton Record. The committee of the North Otago A. and P. Association met on Thursday last. There was a good attendance, and Mr James Reid 1 (president) occupied! the chair. Mr Piper was appointed secretary at a salary of £72 per annum. — Captain Creagh applied for permission to use the show grounds for the annual training camp of the Waitaki Mounted Rifles. Application granted. — It was resolved that no sheep he allowed -to graze on the show grounds for three weeks previous to the show. — Mr Mnir was thanked for hi 3 services to the association in letting the grazing of the show grounds and collecting the fees last year, and he was asked! to act a^ain' during this year. — The usual sub-committees for the year were appointed. — Mr Gardiner raised the question of the> Waitaki County being represented at the next Dunedin show in the co-un-ty bay competition. The absence of this county from the show that had just closed was freely commented on in Dimedin, and he thought something should certainly be done next year. Already £100 had been subscribed for a prize at next show. The time to make a move, if anything was to be done, was the present, so that there might be plenty of time for consideration. Mr Brownlee thought ifc a good idea. He attributed; the success of Waimate at last year's show to the fact that the bay had first been erected) at the Waimafce winter show; possible improvements could then be seen, and were made when the bay was erected in Dunedin. Mr Borrie-'s sympathies were with -the suggestion, but it was a big order. In Dunedin, they had been somewhat unmercifully chaffed 1 by the Minister for Lands and others about the absence of this county from the show, and the Minister had promised 1 assistance if they made an effort next year. The president of the Otago A. and P. Society (the Hon. T. Fergus) had collected lOOgs with which to purchase a. .large shield for competition among the counties. If they went in for this they would! have to get the aid of the ladies. They almost needed to have a winter show here to get the materials together. The President agreed with Mr Borrie on that subject, but the difficulty was a hall. Mr Piper said that would be solved by next year. Mr Brownlee mentioned the show of fruit sent from this dis■rrict some years ago to Wellington. The effort was was only a email one, but they got second place in the- competition. TLe aid of the Horticultural and Poultry Societies would have to be invoked. After a little further discussion, Mr Gardiner moved that •the whole committee be a committee to consider and report on the matter to next meeting. They could consult their lady friends before next meeting. This motion was seconded by Mr Brownlee, and carried. — Mr Thomas Reid, of Ngapara, was - elected A life' meWber of the association.