WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Volume 23, Issue 2684, 23 August 1905, Page 20

WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(Fbou Oub Own Cokbespondbnt.l So far the weathor this month has been nearly perfeob for both The agriculturists and pastoralWeather, ists, and the last few days

•** have been quite summerlike, bringing up a heavy thunderstorm, winch was a God-send to some, as they were getting short of water. In some instances, however, the rain was so heavy that tillage operations will have to be suspended for a day or two. The great bulk of the gmin crops, however, are already sown, and what is not is where the turnips are not cat-en off. Although the crop was considered a v^ry light one, it appears to have been sufficient for ihe stock tl-at farmers felt justified in buying to feed them off. Under the favourable weather conditions we have had the grass is now coming on nicely in the lower country, but the hill country men tell me there is not much fepring up with them yet.

I do not suppose the "oldest inhabitant" ever taw such favourable LaiubiHg. weather for early lambs as this is,' and at the sale today sheepmen were congratulating 1 each other on the prospects of a big percentage ;. still, with all things connected with the farmer there- is "many a clip 'twixt the cup and the lip," and we may get plenty of rough weather before the lambs are all strong enough 10 stand a blizzard. However, every week that passes ensures so many aa haviug reached beyond the dangerous stage.

Since last report there have been fairly heavy yardings of hoggets, Stock and high prices have been Market. ruling, good hoggets being worth from 16s to 17s; secondary sorts, a shilling or two les3. The ewes in lamb that are coming in are of an inferior class, and' sell at anything from 14s to 20s a head, although a yarding of good ewes last week fetched 275. At to-day's Feildmg sale a lot of purebred ewes were offered on, account of the executors of tli© late- Mr William Baker. The Boorcbr Leicesters wore a nice lot, and commanded keen competition, although, considering th© quality, prices were nothing phenomenal. Ewes in lamb (entered in Flock Book) sold at 4-gs; ewe hoggets, 3gs; 24 ram hoggets, 4igs; stud rams, lOigs and 2gs. The Southdowns failed to reach the reserve at auction x 4igs was offered for a nice lot of

ewes bred by Mr Stuckey, of Masterlon, but were withdrawn at that. Southdowns do not appear to be so fashionable as they were on the coast. Romneys sold fairly well, two pens of ewes in lamb bringing £3 2s 6d a head. There appeared in the yards yesterday a new breed of sheep for this district, being a lot of halfbred Lin-coln-meriino eross — that is, merino rams and Lincoln ewes. They were a nice, wellgrown lot, carrying good skins, and fetched 22s 6d a head. This ,'s fcne firsb of this exoss that I have seen, so that I took some interest in examining them. There is a great diversity of character in the wool, I suppose the reason being that the ewes were not purebred, so that the power of heredity of the merino shows out very plainly in this let of sheep, the character of the crosses that have been, used in producing the ewes reflecting itself very markedly. If, on the other hand 1 , a Lincoln ram is put to pure merino ewes tha progeny will be a very even lot, and I have, seen such a lot of sheep bred in that way* that by taking out 10 or 15 per cent, you would imagine you had produced a new breed of sheep. However, there is little use in discussing this question, as merino ewes are not to be had yet. It may come about, however, that we shall be importing them from Australia if the fat lamb trade is to go on expanding as it has done .the last few years. As regards the sheep under notice, Mr Dick deserves credit for experimenting with this system of breeding; in fact, every experimenter should receive the thanks of the community instead of being very ofteii called a crank "£nd laughed at for his attempts to improve, either the animal- or the vegetable kingdom, as even if he fails to improve matters there is something gained, as any theory proved .of no value puts another point nearer perfection. The market for store cattle still continues very depressed, and holders Cattle. are becoming despondent, as they can see little -hope of any rise coming on, and when sales are effected they are at very low prices. Still, breeders and holders of well-bred beef need not despair, as the supply for the future is becoming less every year, co that shortly I should not be surprised to see a reaction. Sales of dairy stock continue to bo held all up tho coastj and for anything like . good stock fair prices are being realised, and a new departure is being made, as the demand is from the north instead of from tho south, as has been the case previously. The excited state of the butter market is very encouraging to dairyBairying- me n. The Eltham DairyCompany has refused 9|di per 1b for butter for the September to April output (inclusive) for the next three years; and I see it stated that another Taranaki butter factory has had an offer of 10^d for the season's output. It is hard to gauge tho value of these statements in, comparison with contracts entered into- by West Coast factories unless you know tba conditions. It would be more satisfactory if the price were stated free on board ocean steamer, as land and coastal freights vary so much in different districts. On account of the fine wteatlier the price of chaff has gone down from Grain and 5s to 7s 6d a ton, and if Produce. the spring has come to stay

we may see a still iurther reduction, as grass forms a large proportion of the horse-feed used, we having no cities, where, of necessity, horses must be stabled all the year round; so that when the grass comes little chaff is used. Oats continue to hold their own, and will do so, as stocks ar© held. Potatoes are still getting dearer and hard to get, and the outlook to the consumer is not very bright. As if to accentuate the matter, the future prospects do not improve, as it is reported that the blights has again attacked the early potatoes in the Auckland district. If such is the case, wo may expect to see potatoes at famine prices — if we have not already reached that stage in a land of plenty. Still, the potato plague may be a blessing in disguise, as many are, for it may cause more attention to be paid to growing of other vegetables. One matter that I neglected to report of this association's doings last BJanawatn week was the d'-.cussion on A. and P. whether the students' judgAsiociation. ing competition should be continued at the spring show or not. Mr Geo. Wheeler suggested that it should take place on the first day, and with special exhibits. After some discussion, one member of the sub-committee expressed the opinion that the whole tning was a farce, except in regard to sheep, and withdrew his name, aa also that of -tether member. After some further talk Mr Siuckey's ame^nd* ment was carried — to the effect that the e-eoretary should writ© tKe Auckland and Canterbury Societies ror particulars of their; competition, and that the sub-committee^ ba asked to report to the General Committee. At the request o£ the President, the two members who had withdrawn their names from the sub-committee consented to remain and give the matter their consideration. Another matter was dealt with that should! have some effect in improving our horses. A sub-committee, consist-ing of Messrs Stuckey, Gillies, M'Donald, Stevens, and M'Kelvie, was set up to arrange that owners may have their entries examined by a duly qualified veterinary surgeon or surgeons. and when pronounced free from hereditary unsoundness that certificates be issued in accordance with the resolution passed at the Agricultural Confei*ence recently held in Wellington. There is no need to expatiate on. the usefulness of this measure; the pity is that examinations of entries is not compulsory. However, now breeders have the matter in their own hands, and if they study their own interests, there will be few un-f sound entries prowling about the country, as aii they need do is to refuse to accept any horse for service except they carry the association's certificate. I fear, however, there are still a number of breeders who will employ anything that is cheap. At the same meeting the association decided to purchase another small allotment of land, 66 links frontage by two chains deep, at £176. The chief reason for buying this section is that it will give a better entrance for cattle and horse exhibits. The area of the show ground must now be- about 20 acres. The contract for building the sheep pavilion.

The special Gakdeh Fertiliser made tip by Nimmo and Blaib will be found to give excellent results when used for Flowers and Vegetables; also for Pot Plants, in and out o£ greenhouse. It iB put up in 71b bags, at la 6d each. Ask jotar itorekeeuw for i*-

■was let, the same to be completed before 1 the "spring- show. The matter of providing more- covered space for the winter, show ■was postponed, but the feeling expressed showed that more accommodation would have to be provided, wherever the money came from, or efee they must limit the . number of entries, which would be suicidal. -I suppose, therefore, the matter will be taken in band after the worries of the spring. show are over. There has been a suspicious case of three head oF cattle dying sud- ' Antkrax. denly near fialcombe. The •' _ local veterinary surgeons were called in, and the symptoms- were so suspicious that they decidiedf to call Mr Gilruth's ' attention to the matter. I nave not heard " what- his decision is. It is to be hoped it is not the dreaded" anthrax. During the week I have- heard of two other cases of sudden deaths amongst cattleone a case of three milch, cows dying, the cause, I understand, being traced to theireating the lead -wrapping,, of. packets, of tea. Dairy cows often, acquire curious tastes. It. is not - long since 1 read of- cows being poisoned by licking the paint off a new building. It is hard to account for their eating such things, but possibly the want of some ingredient in the fodder or sou is often the cause. How few farmers think of providing their stock with salt! * ANTIQUA OVIS.