NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3196, 16 June 1915, Page 16

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

As some of our farmers find a difficulty in

The Export ol Meat.

getting what is vulgarly known as the “hang” of the arrangements made for the export of moat, a few words

on the subject may be useful. As there are not nearly enough refrigerating steamers available, and as all the freezing works are full, a committee was appointed to allot the space available. Unfortunately, this committee in Wellington is composed entirely of shipping representatives. The contention of the farmers in the south is that consideration should be given to the source of supply which required the greatest relief in the quickest time; that the committee should be fully acquainted with the amount of fat stock in each district, and also the amount of feed available, so that the maximum amount of meat can be got to the seat of war. But the committee is not to bo moved, and declines to make known the basis on which its allotments are made. The price to be paid to farmers and graziers was fixed at a conference held between producers and exporters and the Prime Minister. The overall prices fixed to be paid by the meat exporters to producers up to the end of,. July next, export buyers agreeing to give the farmers the option of these prices, are as follow :

First quality lambs 7 Second quality lambs 6g First quality wethers up to 721 b.. .. Over 721 b and second quality wethers 5 First quality ewes up to 721 b 4g Over 721 b and second quality . 4g

Sheep on roots are to bo seen in most districts, and in view of the

Sheep on Turnips.

necessity of turniping many more than was anticipated

on account of the blockage at the freezing works, it will be necessary to guard against waste. The turnip crop in the south will not stand the feeding expected. Some crops certainly arc good, but in many the sheep are walking through feed that was intended for use later on. Lambs will have to be got away as soon as ready, if at all possible, as their teeth will soon go, and it is then hopeless to expect them to maintain condition. The turnip field should, for economy and health’s sake, be fed off in “breaks” with a run off to pasture, where there should be dry fodder of some sort, either chaff in boxes or hay. The “breaks” should be erected in advance of the sheep, it being a great advantage merely to lift the fence. The grubber or discs are then run over the old “breaks” and the shells turned up. A box of Liverpool salt should not be omitted, and it is all the better if there is a trace of sulphate of iron mixed with it, especially for hoggets. All available shelter should be studied in laying off the paddock, so that the run off can be easily utilised in very wet weather, when roots which should have been pulled and kept covered up from frost can be fed on the pasture. ,Failing-mouth sheep should have first run over the new “break,” and can then follow on and clean up the shells. When feasible, use may be made of the turnip-slicer, and turnips carted out steadily to the flock. If it w 7 as not the cost of hauling turnips, nq doubt this would be the most economical way to feed roots, and it is worth consideration this season. Sheep on turnips frequently eat too many roots, and trouble results. Frosted turnips pause loss, and sheep are better kept off until the danger is somewhat minimised. The benefit of some dry feed is then appreciated.

In the Monthly Bulletin of the Californian State Commission of Horti-

European Methods ot Potato-culture.

culture Mr Eugene Grubb, of Colorado, author of a treatise on potatoes, speaks

interestingly on potato culture In Europe. Speaking to the Los Angeles Fruit-growers’ Convention, he says the potato is much more important than here. The growers in Europe insist on a long rotation as absolutely _ necessary to keep the tubers free from disease. They invariably precede potatoes with grass, often 10 years separating potato crops, grass, grains, and other vegetables filling out the rotation. The great crops of potatoes in Europe are due to clear soil and selected Seed, which is sound and of selected varieties. Only immature seed is used there, and only whole potatoes are planted, as a Cut surface invites infection. Care is requisite to never bruise the tubers or sprouts.

Sprouting in specially prepared boxes, kept m special buildings, serves a double purpose by hastening development, and giving less time for attacks of fungoid or bacterial pests. In Europe, potatoes for seed are usually grown by a specialist. Mr Grubb states that this method should be adopted in America, and by so doing it would be possible not only to double, even treble, the yield of potatoes, but also to lessen the tune of growth and development by at least 50 days, clearly to the advantage of the grower. AGRICOLA.