TASMANIA. Launceston, May 1.

Otago Witness, Issue 2674, 14 June 1905, Page 21

TASMANIA. Launceston, May 1.

The month of April has been all through splendid autumn weather. The rains which Commenced to fall on 31st March continued, at intervals of a few days, to fall in all parts of the State, which has caused a good growth of feed, and the early-sown crops of cereals and fodder have a fine start for the winter. Hop-picking has finished for 1905, and the crop is very disappointing. Many who know call it only half a crop ; price realised, Is 3d to Is 4d per lb. The poor crop and the low price of apples will cause a falling-off in the farmers' returns in" the Derwent Valley, where_ nearly all the hops are grown, in comparison to last year. The harvest is also over, and it only tends to show the variable climate Tasmania possesses when I state that the harvest oommencee in the month of Novemfcer, and finishes in the following month of April. This year's harvest, on the whole, as light, and considerable importations of wheat will be made to meet local consumption.

Shropshire sheep again take their place Samongst the exports of the month, 89 sheep having been sent away to Western Australia, Victoria, and New South Wales, the shippers being Messrs R. S. Steel, S. N. Wellard, T. J. Burbury, and A. E. ManBell. Inquiry from all the States continues to be made for these sheep, and their popuif * y j as a arrner ' s sheep continues una'Dated. Quite a large consignment will *• forwarded to the Sydney gales in Julj

next. Some 20 of the exported Shropshires were sent for exhibition at the Royal Agricultural Society's show of New South Wales, and very typical sheep they were. As none have returned to this State, presumably Messrs Wellard and Manpell, who exhibited the sheep, reaped their dne reward bj' a good sale. Potatoes continue to be tiie principal export of the north-west ports. Large shipments are made continually to all States, and seeing the unfortunate outbreak of the blight in New Zealand will prevent that State supplying the adjacent markets, the Tasmanian grower is to have a real good j time. Prices continue steady; from £4I IQs to £5 pe-r ton has been paid during i the month, but I should not be surprised to see higher prices ruling shortly, as the crop is only a moderate one. Will flax culture pay in Tasmania? has been and is being well talked over. We have land, climate, etc., suitable, and, according to Mr "Wolff, who is staking his reputation on it, no better in all the Commonwealth can be found. If our Government can be convinced of this, and will come forward and assist private enterprise as the Victorian Government has done, we shall ere long make Tasmania famous for its flax. Mr Wolff has been good enough, to give ample directions to all those who are trying -it this season, and we all look anxiously forward to this first year's results, as to a great extent the future depends on the returns of those who first venture in any new enterprise. If the Government were to give a bonus on every ton of flax raised for two years, I fancy flax-growing would get going, and be a great adjunct to marly farmers' incomes in ihe most suitable districts.