AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3224, 29 December 1915, Page 11

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Our Hawoa correspondent writes as follows: —“With the warm weather experienced of late, and occasional light showers, the crops have ripened rapidly, and under the most favourable circumstances. Cutting is fairly general. On account of its proximity to the Southern Alps, the district is assured of a moderate rainfall annually, and its favoured situation is made more apparent during a season like the present one. Shearing has been slightly delayed by weather conditions, but many of the smaller clips- have been sent forward. The grain crops in the various districts throughout Upper Clutha givo promise of excellent yields, and both farmers and pastoralists have every reason to be satisfied with the result of the year’s operations. Some months ago (says our Wellington correspondent) there was a good deal of concern throughout New Zealand as to the gathering of this season’s harvest. The fear was general that the labour available might be insufficient to go round, and that, without the best of organisation, much loss in crops might bo suffered. The form of organisation decided upon was to utilise the State Labour Bureaux and the Public Works

Department. If it becomes neceesary to put the machine to the test, it is understood that those responsible consider themselves fairly well prepared; but it is very doubtful if there will bo any practical test. It is impossible to say anything with certainty, and no one knows what hasty call may come from a district plunged unexpectedly into difficulties. The Waikato harvest was expected to be first, and for that the Labour Department will not bo called upon (as far as can be judged), because the farmers there have formed their own district organisation. They are going to harvest co-operatively. In the ordinary course the Rangitikei harvest should follow, late this month or in January. Here, again, the State organisation may fail to find a chance to test itself, for -Rangitikei is obtaining considerable help from Wanganui, whose helpers will include, the Wanganui College boys.

Some three years ago, Mr Thomas *Neylon, one of the largest farmers on Merced County, California, who was touring the dominion, was struck by the splendid crops of barley grown in the Marlborough district, and requested Messrs Dwan Bros, to secure for him a sample of the seed—the Archer barley, so popular in Marlborough (says the Dominion). Messrs J. Corry and Co., of Blenheim, sent Messrs Dwan Bros, a bushel of the barley, to be forwarded to Mr Neylon, who wrote from Merced on September 13, stating that at the Merced County’s first annual fair, which is the biggest show in the history of the State, the first prize for barley was awarded to Mr John Thornton. This barley was exceptionally large and solid, and was from the original seed sent from Marlborough. Mr Neylon presented Mr Thornton with 151 b in 1912. The result of the crop this year amounted to 7g- tons, and is said to bo superior to any barley grown in the State of California.

Shearing in the Otago district has been carried out under very satisfactory conditions this year. The weather on tho whole has been favourable, and in most districts the clip has been beyond expectations, although in some districts tho drought has had a detrimental effect on the quality of the wool. For a time, we understand, there was a shortage of shearers, but tho number available at present is sufficient for requirements, se/jral old bands having returned to the work. In a good many cases tho owners have paid more than the award

rates, and the conditions are said to bo much better than they were a few years

At a. public meeting of farmers in the Awamangu School it was unanimously resolved: “That owing to so many men going to tho front, making it difficult to get sufficient Labour for harvest and urgent works, the meeting is of opinion that tho administration of the Noxious- Weeds Act as regards Californian thistles should bo suspended for the duration of the war.” It was pointed out that it would be impossible for farmers to comply with the provision of the Act that Californian thistles should bo cut before they flowered—which the meeting declared was an absolute impossibility, and had not been done on any farm known of —therefore every farmer was liable to prosecution at tho will of the inspector. Farmers were supposed to cut thistles in growing crops of rape and turnips, and this could not bo done without cutting and destroying a largo amount of these crops. The thistle in these crops seldom or never came to maturity, and in such cases farmers should not be compelled to out them. It was decided to send a copy of tho sesolution to tho Minister of Agriculture (the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald) through the Hon. James Allen, member for tho district.

A court case -of interest to farmers was hoard by the S.M. at Dargaville. The appointment of pound-keeper by the Dargavillo Borough Council had been terminated by that body, but no public notification to that effect had been made. The man who had filled the office subsequently impounded some live stock which be sold by auction in terms of tthe Impounding Act. The magistrate hold that the council had erred in not notifying the public of the cancellation of the pound-keeper’s dismissal, and that the action of the latter in securing an order from a Justice of the Peace to sell the stock was in keeping with his duties. The case is the first of its sort to be decided in the Dominion.

In Australia the idea spreading that those who have to stay at home are under obligations to assist our fighters in every possible way. Under the auspices of the Ouyen Recruiting Committee, the crops of soldiers are being taken off free of cost. On one day 23 strippers and a harvester were at work, and on two days seven strippers and a binder took off crops from soldiers’ holdings. All the farmers assisting are taking off the soldiers’ crops bcfoJO

harvesting their own, and the greatest mithusiasm is being shown. Many of those assisting intend to volunteer as soon as their own crops have been harvested and carted. When Private Hammond enlisted the Be! larine farmers decided that his mother, Mrs Hammond, of the Bcllarinc settlement, near Portarlington, should not have any difficulty in harvesting her crop. A working bee was arranged, and about 20 men, witii seven reapers and binders, cut and stocked the whole of the hay crop on 35 acres. As some attention has lately been dircctco to the subject of motor tillage in view of the trials which have taken place at Stirling and Inverness, under the auspices of the Highland and Agricultural Society, it may bo interesting to note the development in progress in this direction in other countries According to the Maschinen Zcitung (Berlin) the number of steam ploughing outfits in Prussia has increased from 394 in 1904 to 746 in 1914, and their total horse-

power from 31,558 to 112,893. Their average horse-power has risen from 43 to 77, some machines attaining as much as 300 and 400 h.p. At the same time a very great number of motor ploughs have been used since 1910-11, as they are lighter, easier to manage, and cheaper. They arc also handy for hauling carts, mowers, reapers, etc. The total area of land leased in the Northern Territory is now 108,091,937 acres—an increase of 12,580,632 acres since December 31, 1913, states the Acting Director of Lands in his report for the 18 months ended June 30 last. This area was principally leased for pastoral purposes. The gross revenue received for the year 1914 was £10,918 3» 2d, being an increase _ of £BOB 10s lid over that of last year. This increase is principally derived from the greater area of land taken up for pastoral purposes under either pastoral or grazing license, especially the latter. The revenue for the full period covered by the

report amounted to £16,748 19s 4d. During the 18 months a total area of 7,414,734 acres was forfeited. A considerable partof this area was hold under pastoral permits, which expired through non-payment of rent. Owing to the drought and the continued slumn in ostrich feathers, in consequence of which farmers cannot afford to feed the birds, it is estimated that two-thirds of the ostriches in South Africa have perished. A proposal has been made for popularising ihe feathers by exhibiton. sale, lectures, and demonstrations at different fairs and fetes, to bo held in London. Messrs Teasdale Bros. (Ltd.) Darlington, England, have put on the market a new turnip-topping and tailing machine, and at a demonstration in Fifeshiro it did remarkably good work with a severe tost. It is four-wheeled, light, simple, and easily worked. There are two dividers, which carry the tops to an upright position until

they arc gripped by two travelling belts. | The tops are then cut off by an adjustable knife, which adapts itself automatically to the different sizes of roots. A hand lover controls the knife which cuts off the roots. The machine can top and tail about three acres of turnips a day at a cost of a little over 3s per acre. The Kohinui cheese factory might aptly bo termed “the factory of big suppliers,’ for, from a list of 13 suppliers, the daily intake of milk is close on 1400 gallons, or an average of over 100 gallons each (says j the Pahiatua Herald). The biggest supply ; delivered in one day this season was 1400 gallons. Six suppliers each have a load of" 20001 b of milk daily, while one delivers ap- : proximately a ton of milk. Considering the j large supplies, the tests are very satisfac- i tory, and range from 3.2 to 4.3, the average being a shade over 3.6. Suppliers to the Papatawa Dairy Com- j pany arc being paid at the rate of Is 5d ; for butter-fat supplied during November i (says the Woodville Examiner). The com- ; pany has this season paid to suppliers up to as high as Is 6d per lb. A North Otago Tunes reporter learnt on | the 20th that there is likely to bo a shortage ; of butchers for the different mollt uol ',n; j

this season. A request came from Islington on the 20th to send up 15 men from Oamaru. The Pukeuri works will open in January, but as there is. little stock to be killed in the district most of the Oamaru men availed themselves of the opportunity of a hook at Islington. The chief reason of the shortage is the inability of the Australian men who come over to New Zealand every season to secure passports. The scarcity of feed in the northern part of the South Island is resulting in a large number of sheep being shipped _to the Wanganui district (says the Chronicle). A considerable number has already been sent over, and the steamers Cygnet and Awahou. from Kaikoura. and ’A oetton from Picton, arrived on the 17th with loads. The Awahou returned to Kaikoura to take a further consignment to Wanganui. Very large consignments of fat lambs are now leaving the Folding railway station daily (says the Star). Stock generally is in excellent condition, feed being superabundant.

At the farm of Mr David Falconer last week a crossbred owe gave birth to five lambs (says the Bruce Herald). Two of these have since died, but Mr Falconer expects to rear the other three. Owing to a mammary defect two of the lambs are being hand fed. Harvesting has commenced on the Bangitata Plains, but the oats cut are light and short in the straw. Some oats are also in stock in the Parcora Settlement. An Ashburton County farmer informed a Guardian reporter that there was a keen demand in the Ashburton County for ploughmen. In other branches of farm labour the supply of men up to the present was sufficient, but in all probability a shortage would be noticed before the harvesting operations were far advanced.

The Orawia Dairy Factory, is experiencing a very successful season this year —in fact a record (says the Otautau Standard). There is ample feed in the district for cows, which arc responding in tip-top style, and something like 1500 gallons of milk are being received daily, which, is about the capacity of the two vats. Fourteen pence is being ■ paid for butter-fat at present, with every prospect of an end-of-season bonus of 3d per lb additional. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald (Minister of Agriculture) has decided to sub-divide and dispose of his well-known Whakawhitra Estate in Poverty Bay by public auction. Under an Ordcr-in-Council gazetted last week, the ; kca (or mountain parrot), black shag, white-throated shag, and sea shag arc no longer to be deemed protected. Six hundred and 12 men -were assisted in their search for employment last month by the Labour Department. Of tins number, 415 made application to the Wellington office of the department. “ I must confess I do not like the name kindergarten,” said Mr C. J. Parr, M.P., at the ceremony in Myers Park on Thursday afternoon (says the Auckland Star). ‘•lt comes,” he added, “from the people we are fighting. If they would put up a clean fight. I would say stick to the name they have given. But we owe these people nothing but contempt, and I should like to get rid of our use of their language altogether.” Mr Parr added that the term came from the German language, and signified a play school. Surely we could invent from’ our own language a suitable name. BUTTER AND CHEESE MARKET. The National Mortgage and Agency Company has received a cablegram from Messrs Mills and Sparrow (London) advising that the butter market is weak—price, 1545. The cheese market is firm —price, 91s. EXPORTS OF PRODUCE. WELLINGTON, December 23. New Zealand exports of produce during the past week wore valued at £1,040,155, including; Butter, £280,866; cheese, £59.361; frozen meat, £102,460; wool, £402,582. ■ CROP STATISTICS. WELLINGTON, December 23. Statistics collected to November 10 give the following acreages under crop in the districts named for threshing only: — Marlborough. Wheat 5,247 Oafs ... ' 5,583 Barley 0.0'.0 Peas 2,389 Nelson. Wheat ••• 8.084 Oats ; ••• 8,466 Barley 1,860 Maize If Peas 328 Westland. Oats 151 Canterbury. Wheat 238,417 Oats 158.762 Barley 7,799 Maize 19 Peas 5,530 Preliminary Totals. Wheat 239/(48 Oafs 172.958 Barley 16,187 Maize 33 Peas 8,247 Totals 1914-15. Wheat 167,088 Oats 114,071 Barley 9,310 Maize 89 Peas ... 12,157