OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 2978, 12 April 1911, Page 20

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) THE WEATHER AND GENERAL. Tine refreshing showers of rain fell over the whole of the province at the beginning of last week. "* The total average measurement was about 35 points (100 points to the inch). The weather cleared on Tuesday night, and the atmosphere has been much cooler since. There has also been a marked growth of vegetation, and paddocks that were bare and brown less than two weeks ago are now quite green in appearance, and should frosts not occur for several weeks there should be a particularly rapid of grass and clover. The latter class of feed is showing up in a remarkable manner, and should provide rich, succulent feed for the stock in the course of two weeks. The rain, too, has done wonders towards reviving the turnip and rape crops, the latter having sent out abundant tender shoots, which will prove very acceptable towards assisting to finish off late lambs. The greater part of the turnip crop has now reached a stage of maturity, and 'it is a matter of regret that in many instances the turnips have been badly affected with blight, and by the diamond back moth; but, fortu nately, not to the same degree as was the case two years ago. When affected by blight, and other parasitic diseases, the value of turnips and rape for fattening purposes is considerably reduced, and sheep and lambs fail to thrive in the same way they do when depastured on healthy crops. While the moisture that has fallen has considerably improved the position from a farmer's point of view, much more rain is urgently needed. Last week's rain failed to penetrate grass land over a quarter of an inch, so that farmers are still faced with the difficulty experienced in ploughing up lea land. One outstanding feature of the rain is the great improvement it has effected to the roads, which are now in a fairly satisfactory condition. With the" improved feed prospects, there is bound to be more activity in the stock market; indeed, at some of the chief sales last week store sheep and lambs sold at increased rates, and competition generally was more keen. There was a falling off in the entries of fat stock at a number of sales last week, as a result of the scarcity.of feed, and farmers state that all classes of sheep and lambs are depreciating in condition. So far, however, prices for fat sheep and lambs have not shown any marked improvement; but there is every possibility of a substantial, rise before many weeks have expired. There is a fairly good d-jmand for young, breeding ewes, and for reliable lines prices have hardened. At Mr Fred. Capon's clearing sale at Winchmore last week a fairly large line of two and four-tooth halfbred ewes sold at 18s 4d, which must be considered a satisfactory price. On Saturday last. I had a conversation with Mr Thomas Dowling, who purchased about 3000 acres of the famous Springfield Estate two years aero. He informed me that on Friday, April 7, he disposed of 2800 fat sheep and lambs to the Christchurch Meat Com pan v, which brought in a return of considerably over £2OOO. Notwithstanding the dry weather, Mr Bowling- has sent away three large drafts of fat sheep and lambs since January, and the latter mob, which were conveyed to Islington by special train on Monday, were fattened on rape and stubble feed. Mr Dowling says he has grown some particularly fine crops of turnips this season, which fc vet to be fed off. So far. ho says, the turnips are not affected by blight or any form of disease. APATHETIC FARMERS. * At the annual meeting of the Ashburton Branch of the New Zealand Farmers' Union on Saturday several 0f.... the me'mbers expressed keen disappointment at the apathy shown by the farmers in the work of the union. When the time came for the election of a chairman four jrembers were nominated, but they refused to stand, every one of them, expressing the opinion, that it was ho good trying to combat against the farmers' lack of interest. Mr G. W. Lead-ley was finally induced to take the office. Mr F. Fr amp ton, the retiring chairman, said he regretted |thc lack of interest shown by farmers in the 'business that was from time to time brought before the meetings of the union. Members of the union did not appear to evince a desire to attend the meetings, and many neglected to even pay their subscriptions. This was not as it should be, inasmuch as the union's whole platform made for the' betterment of the farmers as a body. Owing to the increase in the price of implements and the increasing influence of the Labour party, there was much need of the farmers organising and defending themselves, and he expressed a hope that' farmers would soon recognise the advisableness of organisation. Durinsr the ycyur the receipts of the branch

had been less than £SO, and the credit balance in hand was under £3. THE SMALL BIRDS NUISANCE. At a meeting of the Ashbuton County Council on April 7 the Chairman (Mr John Lambie) reported that £l6lß 13s lid had been expended during the past year in the purchase of small birds' eggs and heads, which, perhaps, represented the largest outlay towards the destruction of small birds in the history of the council. In connection with the trapping of small birds, it may be mentioned that two men in the Rakaia district have earned an average of £5 10s per week? over a period of three months. These men use King's traps, and during the season they set the traps on the sites of straw and oatsheaf stacks in readiness for pulling in the early morning. Their largest catch for one pull of the trap this season represented 750 fullgrown birds, which brought in a revenue to the trappers of £3 2s 6d. Mr Friedlander expressed the opinion that the advent of the caterpillars was due to the wholesale destruction of small birds by trapping, poisoning, and collecting eggs. He had heard a number of farmers, who had given the matter very careful study, say that the alarming increase of insect pests was directly due to the reduction in the number of birds. He suggested, and subsequently moved, that a committee, consisting of the chairman and Messrs Harper and Studholme, be appointed to go carefully into the matter and draw up a report bearing on the small birds question; and, if it were deemed necessary, to confer with the neighbouring County Councils. This was seconded, and carried. Messrs Cairns and Harper thought that the alarming increase of insect pests was directly due to the extremely dry seasons, and not to the reduction in the number of small birds. ". Mr E/>id thought that the Borough Council should expend more money in reducing the number of birds. Mr Chapman - pointed* out that small birds certainly fed on insects in a very large degree. MISCELLANEOUS. The work of threshing last season's grain has now been completed in the Ashburton County, and the average for each threshing 1 machine (about 43,000 bushels of mixed ! grain) is fully 20,000 less than last yearsI tallies. This represents a shortage for the I Ashburton County of 800,000 bushels of ' grain for the 1910-11 season, the falling off being mainly .represented by wheat. Monday, April 10. A disagreeable north-west wind is blowing this morning, and this is sure to extract a large amount of moisture from the ; surface of cultivated soil, and perhaps-will be followed by rain. &r.KI€ULTUKAL AND TASTOKAL NEWS. Reports from ail directions refer to the wonderful change which has taken place since rain fell, the growth of grass and late turnips being little short of marvellous. Nowhere is the change greater than in. North Otago. A Kauroo settler informed the North Otago Times that previous to the rain there was not a blade of grass to be seen; now the whole country is green, and in some parts the grass is close • on two inches long. The growth had been something wonderful. Fields that some of the settlers had decided to rc-sow had now a fine coating of green, on them, and should frost keep away for a few weeks there is every prospect of a good supply of winter feed. , , The season appears to have been favourable for the growth of big potatoes. We were shown some monsters grown by Mi Sonntag, of Brockville, of _ the Up-to-date variety One of these weighed 4Alb, and was firm, and solid throughout when cut with a knife. _ „ ~ , Mr Primrose M'Connell, B.Sc, predicts that the movement to secure the admission of'frozen meat on the continent of Europe if successful to anv extent will result in the supply to Great Britain being reduced with the inevitable rise in prices. Frozen meat is not at the low prices to be and everything points to a further rise The next thing will be a hardening of prices of Home-grown meat. Stock farm ££ in all its varieties, has always paid better in Ireland than corn-farming, and stockowners weathered the ta«to»«* b-tter than any others, and he thuiivs it will be a wise policy to continue on the same lines. CANTERBURY MARKETS. (Lyttelton Times, April 8.) There is very little to record in regard to the operations of the produce market during the past week. Although wheat is-dearer from Adelaide, other markets show no improvement, and bids from London, during the week are down another sixpence. In these circumstances, exporters are not operating to any extent, and local millers have satisfied their immediate requirements. On the other hand, there k very little offering by farmers at current quotations. There is a general disposition to hold until spring or until further developments take place. The market closes with little business doing. The firmness noted in- oats lately has become intensified. Very few parcels are on offer, and the sales for consumption within the province or for seed lots are considerably jtbov© the average of recent years. The export trade is quiet. . , The following quotations are for purchases from farmers, net cash, sacks extra, except where otherwise specified:— Wheat—New season's 2s Id to 3s on trucKS. Cuts—Duns 2e 3d, Danish to 2s ; Gartons 2s to 2s 2d. sparrowbills to 2s, Aigei'lan 2s ' Id to 2s 4d. . ■ Barley—Malting, 4s to ss, according to ChaflWOatsheaf up to £4 at country stations. Potatoes—£3. Onions —£2 ner ton. Peas —Partridge to.3s 7d. Oatmeal—£l3 per ton. j7] our —The New Zealand Flourmillers Cooperative Association (Ltd.) quotesthe following prices per ton, local or shipping: Sacks £8 10s, 1001 b bags £9, 501 b bags £9 5s 251 b bags £9 10s Bran £3 15s, pollard £6. Seeds. —Rvegrass, Italian 3s 3d, English 3s 6d; cocksfoot, 121 b to 131 b, 7d to 7£d;; cowgrass, 7d ; white clover, to 13-. Dairy Produce —Cheese, dairy, larsrs s£d. loaf 6d, factory large s|d to 6d. Butter, fresh local factory prints Is Id, second grade factory butter Is, farm _ dairy 9d. Hams 9d, boneless hams 9d. sides 7 id. rolls 7d, shoulder rolls and middles (equal numbers)

7£d, shoulder rolls only 6?d, middles bid, rolled hams 9id. Lard, pats 7£d, bulk 7d. bladders 6d. Fresh eggs Is 3d per dozen. RANGIORA. The wheat business for the week has been of a very small volume. Odd lines of Tuscan have bean, sold at 3s to 3s Oid for extra quality milling, whilst thin and poorlydeveloped samples were purchased up to 2s lOd. Hunters and pearl were also in small supply, but in view of the heavy stocks held by millers and the wheat market at Home, the quantity on offer was quite sufficient for the demand. Gate remain firm and active at late rates. The market for partridge peas was weaker, 3s 6d to 3s 7d being the highest prices obtainable. Blue Prussian peas are 5s 9d and white Ivorys 4s 6d. Horse beans are quoted at 3s 5d to 3s 6d. The market tor linseed closed weak at £ls 15s to £l6 per ton, the hcavv Southland crops having been placed firmly- on the market. The market for potatoes *ias varied at £3 to £3 ss, but now that Oamaru has to a very great extent got over the worm trouble, this product is again being placed on the North Island market. There has been a slight rise for the best bright samples of oatsheaf chaff; up to £1 has been paid for prompt delivery. New season's cowgrass has been purchased at 7{d, and white clover at lOd to lid. ASHBURTON. Wheat.—ln the absence of movement in the Home market, millers have been, inclined to hold off further purchases of wheat, and ..in consequence sales have been more difficult to'effect. On the other hand, the quantity offered continues very limited, and buyers having orders to fill find it more difficult to obtain any quantity without offering, advanced rates. Quotations remain unaltered: —Pearl and velvet, 3s to 3s Id; Tuscan, 3s; Hunters, 2s Id. Cats.—There is no change in the market. Offerings are still very limited, while, in addition to the ordinary trade inquiry, many farmers are being forced themselves into the market for winter requirements, keeping prices very firm with an upward tendency. A grade Gartens, 2® 2d to 2s 3d; B grade Gartons, 2s Id to 2.3 2d; Algerians and duns (suitable for seed), 2s 3d to 2s 4d; Danish, 2s to 2s Id. • Oatsheaf chaff: There is little or no change to report. Farmers are holding out for £3 15s on trucks, whereas buyers are not open to give more than £3 10s to £3 12s 6d, according to station. Several fairly large lines have been on offer without result.