DEPARTMENT OF ACRICULTURE.

Otago Witness, Issue 2745, 24 October 1906, Page 9

DEPARTMENT OF ACRICULTURE.

THE ANNUAL REPORT. (Fbok Oue Own Corbespondent.) WELLINGTON, October 18. The usual bulky volume from the Agri;ultural Department has been presented to Parliament. CROPS. The areas under cereal crops during L 906-6, with average yields per acre, were is follow : — Wheat, 223.571 acres; decrease, 35.325; acres; yield, 30.60 bushels; decrease,. 4.76 bushels. Oats, 599,256 "acres; mcrease, , 50.318 »cres; yield,. 35.86 bushels; decrease, 667 bushels. Barley, 32,914 acres ; increase, 713 acres ; field. 34.54 bushels; decrease. 3.72 bushels; Rye, 2923^ acres;* increase, 425 acres; yield, 38 bushels; increase, 10 bushels. Maize. 13,110 acres ; increase. l£7o acres; yield, 60.39 bushels; increase, 11.76 bushels. Wheat thus showed a large decrease in area compared with the previous season, but oats occupied a much larger share of growers' attention, and other crops smaller increases. The average yields exhibit a considerable diminution compared^with those ji last year. It is*pointed out. however, that i comparison of figures for the seasons L 903-4 and 1905-6 shows no great difference regarding areas under these crops. Refer;nce is made to discuesions by farmers relative to the collection of statistics of fields, but tne Secretary for Agriculture x>nsiders that the present method of jbtaining figures from farmers, through the medium of officers of the department. neets all requirements. The quantity of wheat available for export is stated to be jmall, this state of affairs being attributible to a large increase in the consump;ion of bread anticipated owing to the shortage in the potato crop. Turnips "show an increase in area, but it is feared that the feeding qualities will oe much below the average. The acreages in 1905-6 with relation "to the previous season were : —Turnips. 469,579; increase, J2.335; mangolds, 7090; decrease, 1286; rape, 131.742; increase, 154. There was an increa-se of 503 acres in .he area- under potatoes, the total acreage seing 26,834 acres. Diseases of this crop were more or less prevalent throughout he colony, and excepting where spraying was systematically carried out the yield of »und tubers was small. In many places he crops were a total failure.- Some of ,he newer 6orts withstood disease fairly well, and this clearly shows ths necessity or a change of seed every second or third rear.' Spraying was generally resorted to, jut in many instances was performed in l perfunctory manner, and in consequence was time and money wasted. Where, wwever, it was carried out intelligsntly he results were most satisfactory. Special reference to this subject is made in the •eport of the Government Biologist ncorporated in the departmental volume. In ryegrass and cocksfoot areas slight Iccreases are shown, but these are more han 'compensatsd for by the improved iverage yields. PICfS. The pies in the colony on October 31 act numbered 2*9,727, as against 255,020 in 1904— a decrease of 5593. That a dejrease should be shown >s somewhat dimwit to account for. The demand for baconers has been steady throughout the year at remunerative prices, while on tne athor hand the demand for calves has been the reverse. Everything, therefore, was in favour of -pig-keeping. The percentage of diseased carcases found on inspection at the works is very considerable, and demands the earnest attention of owners of pigs, ihe principal disease is tuberculosis, which may be transmitted through the milk and is probably accelerated by the totally inadequate provision made for the housing of the animals on many farms. If pigs are not provided with a warm, dry place to sleep in they are bound to become susceptible to disease. It i= feared very little will be done in this direction until tnore is legislation, to enable the department to force owners to provide proper shelter. etc POULTRY. The poultry branch of the department's work is receiving considerable attention in many parts of the colony. Birds and eg^t from the department's several poult ly stations are being sent daily to almost every district, and. although no effort is being made to breed for show purposes still it is found that many of the birds, or birds hatched from eggs obtained from th|> department, secure prizes at the leading shows. The- stations are now fully equipped, and, in addition to the pens for- breeding a number of hens have been penned on for tho purpose of testing their egg-laying capabilities on a commercial basis. The quality of the birds sent into the department's depots for export and local consumption continues to improve, but there is still great room for progress in this i respect. The establishment of poultry fatteiing" deDOts at convenient centres is a matter" worthy of the attention of poultryowners. At such a place all poultry would be purchased at so much per lb live weight for chickens, hens, etc.. as the case mi^lit be. After being fattened by cramming, the birds wouW be either sent to the Government depot for killing, or kil'ed on tho snot. The egg-la\ ins: competitions, held at Blenheim and Lincoln College, have largely helped to increase the interest in tho industry, and in all probability they will be continued for another year. THE RABBIT QUESTION. Some disappointment was expressed la=t year by the Agricultural Department that the export of rabbit skins and frozen rabbits did not show a large decrease instead of a small increase. This year's figures show an abnormal increase, and lead to the inference that rabbits are increasing at an alarming rato. A reference to tho departmental report, supported by the statements of persons .well able to speak upon tho subject, showed that the very opposite was the condition of affairs. From large aro.-is of country, which were for >ears huge rabbit wairens. th*> pest had practically <li~ appeared, and. boyond the la\ing of a little pollard, tho work was loft to the natural enemy -to complete. According to tho Secretary for Agriculture, the fle-irub!e result had boon, brought al^out by — (1) Morrsystematic and energetic work on tho part of landowners^ (2J tho u«e of poiljic! poison; (3) natural enemy (stoat ami wea«el) . (4) closer supervision by the officers of the dexMxtmcnt. ;