A NORTH ISLAND TALK.

Otago Witness, Issue 3149, 22 July 1914, Page 21

A NORTH ISLAND TALK.

(From Gur Own Correspondent.) PALMERSTON N., July 17. Quite recently I was justified by current weather conditions in commenting on the big spring crops that naturally followed a dry winter. There has since—much to everybody’s regret—been a kink of the wrong shape engraved on the meteorological chart, and the soil is now “ fed up ” with wetness, as they say, and cold—very cold. The bones of the bovine species are, I notice, poking themselves into strange prominence, and there are signs everywhere of the general explorations in search of food, for these nipping nights use up the carbohydrates most extravagantly. We are now one month past midwinter by the almanac; but some of my old neighbours tell me that August is often a very grey experience. The common thought where a haystack exists is, Will it last out? There is little provender coming from the grass paddocks—in fact, one might almost as well keep the cows off them in order to prevent the tramping of the damp pasture land, for it is little grass the cows are getting from them. . So much for the picture of things as they are to-day! But we farmers are a class of beings most sensitive to our immediate surroundings. One warm, sunny day wedged in would dispel all the gloom that fogs cur mind to-day, and we would be almost fancying ourselves climbing the fence into summer, ready to buy instead of to sell our dry stock. All this is, of course, very good. It keeps us going ahead —in jerks. METHODS OF CROPPING. I always find myself particularly interested in cropping problems just at the pinching time, when my stock wants extra feed. There was a problem of the kind presented to the Taranaki farmers who paid their annual visit to Moumahaki Experimental harm last week. It was explained by the department’s specialist, Mr Hill, B.Sc'. It was more on preconceived and deliberate lines than we are usually found following in our spasmodic efforts in dairy land, but it will doubtless be helpful. The problem was set forth somewhat on these lines: Pasture land skim-ploughed in autumn and ploughed more deeply in spring, then sown to root and forage crops, such as rape, mangolds, swedes, carrots, etc. It is estimated that the two ploughings and a liberal manuring give 50 tons of mangolds per acre, as against 10 or 12 tons from only one ploughing and a sinted manuring. With this off, cereals arc sown, together with 101 b to 121 b of red clover seed per acre for later pasturage, and ploughing in on the eve of winter. Next year peas or tares follow, and finally for the fourth year lucerne that everlasting crop—goes in. it is obviously a fine way to lead up to this grand consummation. As we all know, peas and tares let no weeds grow while they occupy the ground. But that is not all. .accessary to know that the soil is not still .uL ot weed seeds waiting their chance, ..I 113 I s c : nsui 'cd by the preceding courses ot the rotation. One may quite easily have land apparently weedless, but yet full of weed seeds, and if one g*efcs surprised by an accident of that sort when trying to establish lucerne,, it may well be tantalising to an average nature. The Englishman ,ooks to wheat to crown his cropping course. But the New Zealand dairyman is beginning to look instead to lucerne. But not many ot us are prepared to go all the way throuo-h tour years to get there. GOVERNMENT AYRSHIRES. They have some neat little Ayrshircs up at Moumahaki, some of them, including his lordship William, being imported. Some o f their performances are stated as follow

AN INTERESTING ESTATE. There may bo some of us who would be thrilled by the prospect of residing on land formerly owned and, perhaps, grazed by such an eminent statesman as the Hon. A. J, Balfour.' at one time Prime Minister of Britain. The opportunity is to be presented in due time in respect of the Balfour Estate of 3000 acres, near Pahiatua. As a result of the consideration of frcqpcnt representations on the subject, the Pi'ime Minister, Mr Massey, has now informed Mr J. H. Esoott (Pahiatua’s member) that the Land Purchase Board recently took steps to acquire this estate under section 64- of “ The Land Laws Amendment Act, 1913,” and served a write upon the Hon. E. C. J. Stevens, M.L.C., who is one of the owners. It appears, however, that it will be necessary to serve a s’milar writ in England upon the Hon. A. J.. Balfour, who is still a part owner. Mr Balfour’s New Zealand solicitor holds a power of attorney; but whether that extends so far as the acceptance of a writ in this matter will not be known till the solicitor has received a reply from England. Service of this writ upon the statesman or his attorney is necessary (the Government is advised) before the taking of the estate may bo gazetted. It may be quost:oncd whether the Balfour pumpkins will fatten any more pigs to the acre than the sections next door, but I shall await the rush to the ballot with keen anticipation. FOR. BUTTERMEN. The rise of 4s per cwt in the price of butter in Sydney is just what has been wanted to relieve the suspense of the freeholders of our 45,000 boxes of stored frozen butter. In one act it will doubtless change that commodity from a state of “de trop” into a distinctly marketable article. What puzzles mo is how the dogged holders in the North Island know the rise was coming, for their holdings represent over 85 per cent, of the

total. The new position will cheer up tht dairy-farmers and factory directors at an opportune moment. The storings at mid-July .were: — Boxes.

The total in store at mid-July of last year was 24,231 boxes, and at the period of the year before 37,374.

Days in Lbs. Lbs. milk. milk. fat. East Newton Beauty (imp.) 336 13,200.7 497.18 White Blair .. 292 8104.2 323.72 Dewdrop .. .. 177 7904.2 256.42

Auckland 12,039 New Plymouth .. .... 6216 Pa-tea 2016 Wanganui 850 Wellington 17,844 Lyttelton .. . 3471 Dunedin 2620 43,056