AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3101, 20 August 1913, Page 19

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

An interesting account is given in last week’s issue of the Farmers’ Union Advocate by Mr J. G. Wilson of the introduction of the first Romney Marsh sheep into New Zealand. The earliest breeder in the North Island was Mr Ludlam, who established what are now known as Bellevue Gardens at the Hutt. Mr Wilson, who obtained his information from Mr T. P, Allen, of the Waiwetu, says that in 1857 Mr Ludlam purchased five ewes and one ram from a number which Mr Leonard Young, a merchant in Wellington, had imported, and two years later he himself imported four more (two rams and two ewes). Both lots were from Mr Rigdon’s flock in Kent, England. Four additional rams came out to Mr Ludlam s order in 1873. A year before that Majors Willis and Marshall had bought from him some ram lambs for 50s each, and two-tooth rams for 50s and 60s. In February, 1874, Mr Ludlam’s flock numbered 863. Writing that year to a settler he said : “ Purebred ewes and rams I have of different ages; for ewe hoggets I charge £lO rising four-tooth, £Brising six-tooth, £6; rising full-mouth, £4; ewe lambs, £6; pure-rams, rising two-tooth, £l2; rising four-tooth, £10; rising six-tooth, £8; ram lambs, £8 each.”

The breeders of Romney Mwah sheep have (reports the Farmer and Stockbreeder, Jxmdon) concurrently with the reopening' of the South American ports, experienced. an exceptional demand for their shoop. Never in tho history of tho breed has there been, during so short a period, so large a number of sheep sold for export as has been tho case since the ports were opened. In addition, a few have gone to New Zealand. In one month a total of 243 stud rants and 12-3 ewes have been exported. >. There is a' big demand for seed potatoes in New South Wales, which indicates large plantings. Several of tho northern districts, including the Clarence, Rxhmond, Macicay, Manning, and Numbucca, are buying freely in Sydney this season owing to the high price obtained last year. The brsk demand is not surprising, seeing that up to £22 per ton was realised in Sussex street last year

tor a portion of tho middle crops. Hie river consignments were just then about the only prime samples obtainable in Sydney, as it was between for Tasmania,

The Department of Agriculture is extending its experimental plots in Otago and Southland. Mr Goodwin, orchard instructor and fruit expert, has during the past season superintended the planting of acre plots at Wairnahaka, Arrowtown, and Roxburgh, which will bo under tho supervision of the Government for seven years, when they will be handed over to tho owners of the’ properties. During that period careful tests w II be made, and the most suitable trees for their respective localities discovered. >

A settlor on one of tho Marlborough properties last year had 30 acres sown down in lucerne. This season he is preparing to sow down another 300 acres with tho fodder. The Mangatainoka Dairy Company, which manufactures cheese, has received an offer equal *to Is 2j.d per Ih of butter-fat for its output during the coming season. There is gratifying nows from the Hawke’s Bay district that tho drought, which has extended through from tho last summer and which has been most prejudicial to the pastoral and farming interests generally, was broken on tho night of the 11th by splendid rain which accompanied the gale from tho eastward. From Napier right through to Palmerston North the_ rainfall was very heavy, and will bo of immense advantage to the district. It is stated that owing to tho persistent dry weather the. yield of wool this year will bo about a pound and a-half less to tho fleece, but that it will bo of finer quality. Lambing in tho Hawke’s Bay district this year is said to be very satisfactory.

The “ Wanganui Registered Dairy Farmers’ Association.” is the title of a body formed in Wanganui on Saturday. Rules were adopted and an executive committee elected. Tho main objects of the association are, to take steps, by a better system of winter milking, to secure for Wanganui an abundant supply of milk during the winter months.

The Shoopowners’ Union has decided (says the Press) that tho union’s standing reward of £IOO for evidence loading to the conviction of sheep-stealers shall apply to cattle as well as sheep owned by any member of the union.

Tho Makctawa Dairy Company decided at its annual meeting last week to subsidise rural technical education to tho extent of Is per ton on tho season’s butter output.