WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 2934, 8 June 1910, Page 20

WELLINGTON AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) Fine mild weather is still the predominant feature of the season, and work of improvement is go-' ing on apaee. It is to ha hoped that forestry will receive due attention, as plantations are one of the greatest needs of the coast as a means of supplying shelter, and in course of time firewood and fence material.

The Weather.

It will have been noticed that a coalfield has been discovered in the Waimarino County, adjacent to the North Trunk railway, which if as extensive as is expected will pi'ove a min© of wealth to all the country south of the locality. Since the opening of the north line the price of coal procured from the Waikato has cheapened considerably. It is. not the best steam coal, but 1 understand some of the flaxmills are using it, and for household purposes it fills a want at a reasonable x'ate. The usual price of West Coast coal' landed inland on the Manawatu has for years ranged at about 40s a ton, whereas) the Waikato is being delivered at railway stations or sidings at leas than 255, which makes a great difference in the cost of living. Sound rata oi matai firewood ranges at from 25s to 35s per cord, so that it is hoped the Waimarino coalfield will turn out of good quality and abundant.

Fuel.

In the early days of settlement on the Rangitikei and Manawa.tu the country was noted for the fine fruit that was produced, more especially peaches and apples. With the advent of blight and other pests farmers got disheartened and allowed many of their orchards to go to wreck. During the last 10 or 15 years a few enthusiasts have fought hard to establish clean orchards, and have (proved that a wide range of this district is eminently suited for the production of fruits. The Levin Experimental Farm has been an excellent object-lesson, showing in the first place what kinds to avoid and also the best way of pruning and cultivating to perfect the varieties that are most (profitable. Just what area has been planted on the Manawatu railway line is hard to estimate, but from what can be learned it must be somewhat considerable. There are a Jew good orchards about Palmerston. North that are now yielding to the owners a good' return for their outlay. There is now a Fruitgrowers and Beekeepers’ Association at Feilding, with a membership of 35, most of whom' are planting more or less. Apples and l pears are chiefly grown, but now that Mr Mayo, of Aorangi, has shown what can be done with peaches there will be more of that fruit grown. ' There are pear trees that were planted over 30 -«us ago ini Feilding that have this last season, returned £6 10s worth of fruit per tree. These and even better returns that have been made known through the medium of the Fruitgrowers’ Association are having a livening effect, so that- there will be additions made to old orchards and new ones started. Some express the opinion that fruit will displace dairying in the future, and argue that the work- of the orchardist is not so laborious and trying, having the idea that all that is required' in agricultural work is to sow or plant, and then sit under the verandah waiting for the harvest. There is no industry of whatever nature that will prove remunerative unless unremitting attention is given to the work. It is encouraging to notice that those starting orchards recognise that before planting the land requires in most instances a considerable expenditure, the first requisite being drainage and thorough stirring of the soil. The stirring must be kept going after planting’ as w.&ll, and unremitting watchfulness is necessary to combat the many pests that are still a menace to the industry. Although it is not at all likely that fruit will displace dairying, there is no reason why the two should not go hand in hand'. Dairying gives a direct return as soon aa

Fruitgrowing.

taken up, but it is otherwise with fruit (except the .mailer sorts) > aa it takes a number of years before much returr will oorae in from fruit trees. Dairymen will be well advised to select and get into order an acre or two for an orchard, as ifi looked after it will in ten years prove the most remunerative part of the farm.

The fifth annual report of the New Zealand Romney Breeders’ Association, to be considered a t the annual general meeting of members to be held at Pal- , merston North on June 23, shows the society to be in a flourishing condition financially. There is no particular business mentioned that need disturb the equanimity of members. The number of registered flocks stands at 177, while 23 applications for transfers have been received and are now being considered by the council. The question of a minimum flock was fully considered at the last annual meeting, and for the information of members not present on that occasion it may be mentioned that the minimum number of registered ewer for the foundation of a new flock was fixed at ten, In accordance with the rules, the following members of council retire by rotation: Messrs H. V. Fulton, J. Kefob&ll, A. Matthews, and D. Murray, all of whom are eligible for re-election.

Romney Harsh [Sheep-breeders’ Association.

Messrs Dalgety and Co. have received the following cable from Mr Ernest Short: —“Won four firsts. World’s champion. Record Breaker B. 7 of 1909 ram lamb and pen) of ewe hoggets; reserve, Godwin, fourth, beating 30 English exhibits; Argentine breeders delighted.” This is indeed a great achievement. Although everyone who inspected the sheep considered they were a credit to their breeder and would worthily represent the Dominion, few exioectcd that they would defeat the galaxy from the old-established' English flocks in the way they have. Mr Short deserves something more than the thanks of New Zealand for his spirited undertaking in taking such a large team of 20 to Argentine. Having been so successful, there' is little doubt the sheep will in a measure reimburse the expense entailed, as when any animal out \of the common is brought before Argentine breeders, be it cattle, horses, or sheep, they are ready to give full value. At the same time it is to be hoped that Mr Short will not be tempted to Leave the ram lamb behind, and that he will be returned to the Dominion in order to beget a further instalment of world’s champions in the future. There is no mention of how) Mr Berry got on with his Lincolns, but it has to be remembered that for a good many years South America has been taking the pick ,of English Lincolns at fabulous prices, so that Mr Perry would encounter heavy competition. ANTIQUA OVIS.

Romneys at Argentine Show.