LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Otago Witness, Issue 2688, 20 September 1905, Page 20

LOCAL A. AND P. NEWS

Monday's Oamaru Mail pay* • — "We leain on reliable authority that the Ventura, arriving from San Francisco, will bring upwards of 500 tons of potatoes for Auckland. In iew of thH fact the market has weakened considerably, a decline of at lea'-r £2 being recorded. Should the shipment be as successful as anticipated double the amount of potatoes will be brought by the next San Francisco boat, and large supplies by later vessels, in accordance with tho resource 5 ! of the Cajifornian markei and the state of tho New Zealand crop. It will be remembered that some weeks ago when we mentioned the probability of shipments being made from San Francisco certain merchants were sceptical, but consignments of Californian tubers were brought to tho colony during a shortage some few years ago. and wore greatly appreciated by consumer?. Wo understand that the potatoes can be landed in Auckland at about £9 per ton." Fine dry weather has greatly favoured farming operations in Southland (says t.^c News). The soil is now in good condition for working, and early sown crops should get a good start. On many sowing is finished, and on others operations are well advanced. Early lambs ha^e done exceptionally well. Lambing will be general in a week, and if the long sr>ell of fine weather continues, farmers should have a highly successftil season. Owing: to continuous wet weather sheej? in the Pelorus Sound have suffered consklerably. A large number of the lambs have died, and it is feared that trcre will he greater mortality if the weather dees not improve The white grub which feeds exclusively on grass has made its appearance in the more than 20 miles from the city the pest is stated to have destroyed every particle of grass, and the owner has had to send h;s sheep away to feed in another part of the district which the grub has not yet invaded. The Agricultural Department states that the grub is a- pest well known in many parts of the colony. In some districts it appears in large numbers one year, and next year it is hardly seen. It has a particular affection for the roots of strawberry plants, and in the Canterbury district especially growers have suffered considerable loss through its depredations. The injection of carbon bi-sulphide into the ground is said to be an effectual means of exterminating the grub, but on account of the cost the process can only be profitably applied to small areas. As an evidence ''of the effect of a mild winter, it will be interesting to note feays the Mataura Ensign) that sheep bought in Southland by northern freezing companies have been found to be very much above the average of previous years in quality. A buyer who purchased a line of several thousand two-tooth sheep, which were frozen at the Dunedin works, states that they averaged 64-lb. The amount of internal fat was fully 31b more than usual. The sheep all round are much in advance of previous j years in Southland. During, the recent rains (says the North Otago Times) some pretty extensive landslips on faces, ploughed and in crop, ! occurred. The Naseby paper understands that Rocklands Station, situated in the Serpentine Riding of the county, containing about 31,000 acres, and in the occupation of Messrs A. and J. Boyd, is about to be surveyed and subdivided into small grazing runs. It is expected the run.* will be in the market by February or March ne£t. Most of the oountry is high and poor. The Milton Mirror is informed that MiDavid Bry^e, of Lovell's Flat, has had the misfortune to lose 38 sheep, valued at about £50, through being worried, or drowned, or knocked about by dogs. Messrs Campbell Bros., of Hillond, have also sustained a los* from the same cause. An Oamaru resident who iourneyed into the country the other day was enlightened (says the North Otago Tiroes) as to the methods adopted by the industrious farmer in his efforts to cope with the Californian thistle. He came across a. farmer who was evidently determined to set to the "other end" of a Californian thistle if it earned him down to a depth where the heat would fuse the shovel. He was. at the time of the visit, down six feet, and had not then got to the "other end." The roote.of the thistle were still in evidence, and the digger, bathed in perspiration, had still hopes of being able to say he had conquered. The exorbitant price of potatoes just now makes one pause and consider whether he will consign the indispensable tuber to the domestic pot or return it to mother earth, and thus provide for future requirements. One ingenious individual in the Otautau district has hit on a plan of his own to secure both these desirable ends — to provide a meal and procure seed from the self-same " spud." This is how it is done, but we do not give a guarantee with the prescription: — Pare the vegetable in the ordinary way. but take off a thick peeling, say, up to a quarter of an inch in the case of large potatoes. Cook the inside and plant the peel, which will, our friend assures us, return just as good a crop as if the whole tuber Were planted. — Western Star. Sheep are still maintaining their high values, and at present there is no indication of a fall in the market barometer. At the last Otautau sale (says the Western Star) sheep suitable for butchers' requirements and freezing purposes reaobed prioes in the vicinity of 30s, and sales were brisk even at these figures. Despite big values, the demand continues good, and since the beginning of the week Mr Murray, a Dunedin btryer, has purchased several large drafts in this district. During the past few weeks several farmers in the Palmorston district have disposed 'of their dairy herds, and we hear (■says the local paper) that several others have signified their intention of giving up dairying at the end of the season. No doubt the high prices at present ruling for wool and mutton have induced many farmers to give up dairying in favour of sheepbreeding. A committee meeting of the Clutha and Matau A. and P. Society was held on the 9th insl.. Mr Jos. Smith (president) in the chair. It was decided to hold tho show go. Fiklay, Dgceiuber 1, aud J,o aj>

point two judges in each cls-fs. A number of weic .nominated as judges, and the secretary instructed to communicate with them. Messrs A. Houliston. TV. Marshall. D. Bryco. D. Murray, H. Clarke, and .T. C Andeison were appointed a committee ro ro\ ise the show piogramme aim prize list. A recommendation to reduce tho prizes in pome classes was made for the consideration of tho sub-committee, and also that care should be taken not to accept entries after tho advertised time for closing sariiO. except, of coui^?, in tho case of post eulros as per catalogue: all stock 10 J>e on the ground at 11 a.m.. 01) d that thei3 he two cla^sos for butter — separator and daiiy. The mro'ing of tl.e Tokom.iiriro I'Vrmers" Club tcok place on the 7th inst. The president (Mr .Tn.me« M'Leod) occupied the chair. Mr Abx. Allison wrote 'n regard to the lime .presented to the c u ah by Messrs Wilson and Son. It was agreed to pay 36s of the lime) to Mr Allison.— A letter was received from the Duncdm stock agents, stat'ng an annual donation of £10 10s from the association bo made to the summer show. In future no subscriptions would be given by individual firms. The Wie of the meeting showed that this move on the part of the finm interested was not unexpected. The Present asked who did the club propose splicing ni as, canvassers for the summer show:' the association did not embnee everybody, and (amidst laughter) there was still 320 or £30 left in Dunedin. The president, vice-president, and Mr Tough were appointed.— Arrangements for t' c walking <-how were loft in the hands of the president and secretary.— The President paid a, high compliment to the ladies who had for three years helped the committee at the winder show. It was decided to procure suifablo trophies for presentation to the ladies —Mr J. Allison (speaking for t' c Grounds Committee) suggested ti at when the Domain Board was properly constituted the club should apply for two acres to be added to their grounds, ss the shows got more difficult every year on account of ?horta?e of room. It was rest Ived that the necessary steps be taken to acquire the two acres, and that Mr Donald Re ; d b-3 approached on the subject.—Tenders for lease of paddock were dealt with, and Mr Fisher's tender (£l2 10s) was accepted. I A number of members of the Southland A. and P. Association conducted a canvass throughout the town last week, with a view to obtaining spe-chl prizes for the anrual summer show in December. It is the intention of the association (says tie Southland Times) to hold an exhibition on a similar acale to that of last year, and it is stated that several novel features will be introduced in the effort to still further increase the popularity of the show. The Fairfax correspondent of the Western Star writes . —The splendid weather we are at present experiencing is very favourable for lambing, an^Palttiough not yet general will be by the end of the month, and a good percentage is expected. Feed Ss showing up wll and as the turnips are finished grass will soon be in abundance. On account of hoggets loosing their teeth at this season of the year, buyers do not care to operate till the feed comes. Ewes in lumb are good property, also fat wethers. Northern buyers are on the alert, and 70 head of very forward cattle go north next week— a good indication that those who have fats and forwards can discern > a glimmer of light in the. distance for tne better. On account of the r.bsence of frosts about the Portobello district- grass comes away in great abundance and very early, so that well-forward cattle from the Western district find a ready market. The farmers in that locality have to provide fo»- no winter feed, as the grass to a great extent grows all the year round. Potatoes are a phenomenal price. I know of one farmer who has 10 acres under potatoes, and he can readily get £10 per ton. However, it is a bad wind that blows nobody "ood. The end of this month will see the oats sown. The wheat braird at present is looking well. There was a good attendance of shareholders at the annual meeting of the Waipiata Salsyards Association on the 15th inst. The balance sheet showed a successful year, with a fair surplus, and it -na 3 decided to spend the whole of the present year's profits in improving the yards and erecting new ones. The retiring director (Mr Charters) was re-appointed. The following district notes are contributed by correspondents of the Winton Record : —Wairio : Farmers in this district arts all vveil advanced with their sowing, and. given another fortnight's fine weather, most of them will have finished. Lam'bmg has commenced on a good many farms, and no doubt owing to the exceptionally fine weather the mortality so far has been very slight.— Mossburn : Several farmers who have recently purchased properties adjaoent to JMo&aburn from the Oastlerook Company are now busy getting their buildings and fences up and ploughing the land. Owing to the very open winter we have had, stook of all kinds are looking well. Lambing has just commenced, and there is every prospect of a good percentage being added to the flocks. Most of the farmers around are busy getting m their oats, and the early spring is bringing the grass on well. — Lochicl : The weather, hero has been everything that could be deaired for carrying out -farm work, and crop-sowing is far advanced for this time of the year. Old residents who have been in this locality for about 40 years say that they ne^er saw a better winter tlian the one "juftfc past, and should the weather continue they will bo able to say the same about the spring. Lambing is general in this locality, and everything points to a large percentage. J. E. Watson's limekiln has made a start again, and is turning out laige quantities of crushed lime, which can be distributed through any broadcast drill. This should be very valuable to farmers, as they can apply it to the land in small and regular quantities. Mr John Turnbull, who scored chief honours at the Southland champion ploughin? match at Branxholme on August 2 and first at Drummond. was a, competitor at Wai mate on Thursday, where he carried off first honours against a strong field. He competes at Papakaio on Thursday next. The lgame of Southland (says the News) has been brought into prominence in the north in recent years, and the achievements of t2ie youthful champion should emphasise the fact that tho south does not confine itself to producing star footballers, big oat crops, and "prime Canterbury."' ! A rumour is in circulation (says the Oamaru Mail) that tho Pukcuri creamery is to be closed, and as this would entail con£ide,Hiblg ]p^ on the nj.Uk oiippliors of

| that district a meeting of those interred { has Ken c.tiL-d for Thursday, the 21-jfc insl. These orajmenos arc of groat importance to tho dni.-y farmers, and it is to be .hoped that there will be a good meeting and Mifficiont support promised to justify tho Dairy Company in keeping 1 it open. Tho Drummo'.id corre^pondeni of the Southland Time? writes: — The weather here is still fin?, and tjie land exceptionally dry for the season of the year. In fact, the land has never been very wet or sodden all the winter. If it holds for this month nox&r was grain sovwi undo/ suclii favourable circumstances, tho ground being nice and £rc3, and given a good season the prospects are that he aw crops will bo the result. About the usual area is going to be sown for crop. Turnips are very plentiful, owing to the mild winter, and ore hard to sell now, as they are runmna: up to top, an-l a good quantity will never be eatc-11 off. Lambing is becoming general now. and on several farms are to ho seen good strong lambs, but probably in about three weeks it will be more general. Cat*U are more plentiful than sheep, and do not seom to sell much better than months ago, *id there are a. lot about the district on turnips that are a credit to the owners, and should bring good prioes when placed on the market. The date of tho Taieri A. and P. Show) Las been aopoaring in our Show Dates column as November 16. This is incorrect, ■I be proper date being Tuesday, November