STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3234, 8 March 1916, Page 10

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Weekly Stack Sales. £urßtsi£«, Wedaesdayß 4.s>h burton, Tuesdays iddiugton, Wednesdays Waiareka Uailway Junction, Tuesdays. Fcrtnlfhtly. Oliatoa, Tkursdaya Baloliitfea, Fridays Sort, Tuusdays Oamaru, Tuesdays ffaJlauetown, Tuesdays. Monthly. Palmarstou, Ist iiond&y Ngspara A WirUon, Ist Thursday

U ataura & Waikouailtl 2nd Thursday Hiverton, 3rd Thursday Wyndham, last Thursday Balfour & Thornbury,, Ist Friday Duntroon & Olautau, 2nd Friday Biyersuale, 3rd Friday \\'aikul:ii, last Friday. Periodically. Heriot, Kelso, YTaipiativ Lumsden, Mossburo, Orepuki, Cliidea.

BURNSIDE MARKET. The yarding of fat sheep at Burnsido was only of fair quality, with anmc«*ged proportion of secondary sorts. Best prune nennings sold under a demand much on a Jar vftn late rates, while secondary ewes and unfinished two-tooth wethers brought slightly less money. Under moderate competition the trade practically securedl the lot prices being rather above exporters units Under: a thousand fat lambs were yarded the quality, with few exceptions, K fcdifferSit-Becondary sorts.and stores being too frequently in evidence foi this time of the year. The demand was good, Sever, for all excepting, backward stores under the usual competition. Best lambs sold to 255; extra quality some, shilling* more average, 17s 6d to 20s; fair, 14s to 16s 6d; offi 10s to 14s Values ruling for fat cattle were irregular, emphasising once attain the folly of allowing mere stores to buffered in fat p«* At opening prices were down, and. it was not until the trade were faeed with good beef that matters improved and were sustained at 20s advance on the drop recorded the previous week, making therefore- the value of beef as follows: -Best light 455, heavy 43s 6d and inferior grade about 30s per 1001 b. Between 500 and bCO store cattle were Penned. The demand was much on a par With recent rates for conditioned cows; but pens of forward steers were passed at for t P woand-a-haU- y ear-olds £3 17s 6d (good) and £7 19s (fair), and year-and-a-hal -olds £4 5, Thin cows were practically unsaleable The Jairy cows were only fair, and market rates were unchanged. ' Calves made from 5s to 465. A poor supply of fat ,PW» ' «? offered; porkers were easier, and others unchanged in values. ADDINGTON YARDS. The entry of fat sheep at Addington was a large one of mixed quality, ewes being m the farmer proportion. Best quality sheep maintained fast sale's values, but secondary quality were easier by Is per head MSorters and graziers secured a *he liehter class of stock. Fat cattle were m moderate supply, the quality mostly good. Beef hSdened-up £1 to £1 10s pel: Jiead, thus making for best beef up * %& ransrinsr down to as low as 33s per iwio, extea S shade more. Fat lambs; wereorward in greater number and the q«Jgj too, was better than hitherto; «W being Denned. Values were firm, best lambs makno from 20s to 235, extra some shillings more average 18a to 19s ?d, and others 15a to 17s 9d. There was again a largo ottering of itore sheep, all classes being represented, in excellent sale resulted for forward lambs aid young ewes-in fact all good, strong sheep sold at the relatively high values of STpStoua week, but the demand for inferior sorts was not awakened. A fan number of store cattle . were penned, the best of them evoking fair competition; but values underwent no change. lew'dairy cows were yarded, although the demand rules keen. Best sorts sold round about £lo' and up to £l3. Big yardmgs of calves are at present being ottered, and sell freely from 9s to 555, with extra quality considerably higher. All classes of pigs were selling freely, porkers making 7id to 7|d per lb; others, 6J>d to 6|d; while store sorts were keenly sought after. BALCLUTIIA AND CLINTON. At the stock sale at Balclutha on Friday last there were full yardings of cattle and sheep. There was a fair sale, but prices for, store stock did not jeach anticipated values

in many cases. Harvest operations naturally affected tho attendance, and buyers interested in sheep and cattle were hard pushed to attend to business, considering that selling in both sections, was proceeding at one and the same time. Fats generally sold at unchanged rates, but stores, as indicated, wcro easier. Some values realised are hero given : Fair hill eWos, fom% six, and eight-tooths, made 18s 3d; seconds, from same lino, 17s 6d, forward lambs, 13s to 15s lOd; extra, 17s lOd. A line of fourtooth ewes mado 21s 9d, and the twotooths (ewes) 20s 6d. At Clinton the preceding day there was a big yarding and a fair demand. Northern buyers secured several lots. Some prices, obtained: For wether lambs, lis; mixed, lis 6d, 13s 9d, 14s 6d; sound-mouth halfbred ewes, 13s; two-tooth ewes, ISs 3d; four-tooth, 21s 9d; good crossbred wethers, 225. Several lots were passed. Small crossbred two-tooth wethers made 15s lOd, and a'line of halfbreds (small) 13s 9d.

STOCK VALUES IN THE NORTH ISLAND.

There has been a considerable movement in stock in the North Island during the past week, and values generally are good, breeding ewes particularly selling freely_ at high rates. South Auckland is experiencing a splendid season, and feed is in plenty. In the Wairarapa a dry period is being experienced. Ram sales are general. Lincolns arc in good demand, Romneys are quiet, and othe? breeds neglected. In Hawke's Bay much the same weather is being experienced, with its due effect on store prices. In Poverty Bay a lino of nearly 400 too-tooth Romney cross ewes made 2?s lid, and another lot of 600 odd 25a 3d. At the Matawhero yards best sorts of stock sold freely; others'were inactive. Some prices aro here given: Two-tooth ewes, 18s 6d to 22s 6d; two and fourtooths (mixed), 24s Gd; two-tooth wethers, 20a 4d; four-tooths, 225; mixed ages, 18s.

PRIZE BEEF AND MUTTON PROM ARGENTINA.

The Meat Trades Journal (London), of December 30, says: "In the London Central Markets on Tuesday and Wednesday last week there was a display of prize beef and mutton from Argentina that quite took the place by storm. The quality of tho beef was the topic of general conversation. It was a revelation to those who had not realised the groat strides the estancieros had made in the grading up and feeding of their magnificent live stock, and it even surprised those salesmen who thought they knew. There were exhibits from the La Plata, from La Blanca, the Armour de la Plata, and Sansinona Frigorificos, all prize stock, for which very high prices had been paid—up to ll.OOOdoi for the champion bullock, a Hereford, purchased at the Palermo Show by tho La Plata Cold Storage Company. This, wo believe, is a world's record for a Hereford. As wo have said, the quality of the beef was superb, but a fairly largo proportion of ihe quarters were heavy and wasteful. For such thoro was little or no demand, and low prices had to bo accepted to clear. Tho irony of it —prizo stock being of less commercial value than the ordinary everyday supplies—calls for no comment. Tho same thing, of course, hapEens at homo at every Christmas season; ut that these things should be only shows tho absurdity of our methods as well as their wastefulness. At tho Palermo Show, held in November, referred to above, La Blanca purchased 57 steers. Besides the champion, they also bought for 10,000dol the reserve champion—a Shorthorn,—and paid 9Goodol for another. This frigorifico also paid as much as 370d0l for middle white Yorkshire pigs. In the steers purchased tho heaviest live weight was 19751 b, and tho lowest 10101 b, and the carcases dressed tho fine average of 64 per cent. Tho average weight of the hides of these splendid cattlo was over 761 b."

MEAT NOTES. A cablegram from London announces that since the New Year the _ War Office has accepted contracts amounting to 3,750,0001 b of Australian corned beef, inclusive of about 2,000,000 tins of Australian surplus accumulation in South Africa. The London correspondent of the Pastoral Review says: "Although there have been mentioned from time to time in these columns estimates as to weekly releases of frozen meat by the Government for public consumption in Great Britain, the first statement of the total quantity released came this month from the lips of the President of the Board of Trade in answer to a question in Parliament by Sir John Spear. Mr Runciman stated that between the end of May, when tho Government began to placo surplus meat on tho market, and the end of October about 70,000 tons, mainly mutton and lamb, had been so disposed of. Ho went on to state the Government's disinclination to withhold from British markets, during tho next two months, all the surplus supply imported meat, ' as the immediate effect of such withdrawal of competition would be to raiso tho prices of all meat.' Tho rest of his comment was: ' In placing meat on tho market, regard is had to tho home supplies coming forward, to the prospective imported supplies, and to tho available storage spaco. I should add that whilo home-killed meat and imported meat arc in part competitive, thoy ire in part consumed by different sections of I he population."' The Minister of i.nnds for Queensland made a. very reassuring report on February 21 concerning the meat supply of his Stafco

to the Minister for Customs, who stated subsequently that ho had been assured that there would be no difficulty whatever in getting meat from Queensland this year. Last year Queensland had required all her meat for consumption in that State,, but this year Queensland would have sufficient moat to allow considerable quantities, mostly frozen, to be sent to Victoria. There would also be sufficient to provide a large quantity for the troops of the Allies overseas.

! PROFESSOR BOTTOMLEY ON OUR , FOOD SUPPLY. ; Professor W. B. Bottomlcy recently gave ; the first of a series of public lectures on I war questions at King's College, London. ; Considering " The War and the Food I Supply," he said -hat it was doubtful if ' wo could continue to send money out: of the country for food after the war. The alternative was to improve our own methods of cultivation. We were paying £200,000,000 ! for what wo might be producing in this ! country. Lord Milner's Committee had | recommended more intensive cultivation I over an increased area, but there were difficulties in the present deficiency of labour and of plant food. The laboratories of King's College had for seven years been experimenting with the bacteria that produced nitrogenous manure, and they nourished best with soluble sucn as the ooze from a manure heap. This quality had also been discovered in peat. Having shown pictures on the screen exhibiting plants thus treated in comparison with others grown in ordinary soil with artificial manure, the lecturer observed that there were 17,000,000 acres of waste land and sheep runs in the United Kingdom more than the combined agricultural land of Holland, Belgium, and Denmark.

PROGRESS OF THE MILK RECORD MOVEMENT. Evidence increased 'steadily of the progress of the movement for improving the standard of milk production in dairy nerds. In Scotland and England satisfactory headway has taken place, while the position in Ireland is of importance, as dairying is a pillar of the farming industry. _ In 1906 the Department of Agriculture initiated a scheme in Ireland of registration and milktesting which has borne good results. At first little interest was shown in the movement, but at the end of September last there were on the register _ 2311 cows, the total having risen rapidly since 1910, when only 441 were on the books. There has been appreciable progress in other directions. Now associations have been established on similar linos throughout the country, and last year there were 65 such organisations with 484 members owning 5550 cows, whoso milk was weighed regularly. Details of ITic schemes in Ireland are given in an article contributed by Mr R. D. Colo to the October number of the Journal of the Department'of Agriculture, and many useful hints on feeding, as well as on milk recording, may be learned from a perusal of the facts and figures set forth. Mr Colo, concluding an instructive article, enumerates points worthy of especial attention as follows:—(1) Numbers, of cows in Ireland arenot producing milk enough to pay for their keep. In some cases the yield is less than ZOO gallons per cow, the average yield being about_42o gallons per cow per annum. (2) Many Irish dairy cows are yielding from 600 to 800 gallons of milk per annum. (3) Even in the same herd, one* cow rnav produce as much milk and butter-fat as two of her companions—the three cows being fed and treated exactly alike. (4) It is possible to raise the average milk yield of Irish cows by at least 200 gallons per cow, if the poor milkers are identified and replaced by the progeny of the profitable animals. (5) If the average milk yield of all the cows in Ireland were increased by 200 gallons, it would mean an extra income to the country of almost £6.000.000 per year. (6) By joining a cow-testing association a farmer can have his cows tested with the minimum of troublo and expense. (7) In the grading up of a dairy herd it is most important to mate tho cows with a bull of deep milking pedigree. (8) By grading up a herd of dairy cows, the farmer not only increases his annual income, but also increases tho amount of capital invested in the herd, and raises the reputation of Irish dairy cattle.

REFORMING WILD WAR HORSES. Somo interesting particulars hare been published concerning a comparatively unknown establishment that exists at tho present time at Melton Mowbray, in England. Though officially known as the Military Remount Training Stables, it has been more appropriately termed tho "war horse's reformatory." "Buckcr," "Dangerous," "Unmanageable," "Kicker," "Striker," are somo of the descriptions nailed up on- white cards on tho stalls of tho horses stabled hero. They havo come to bo cured, reformed —or "converted," as ono of tho Irish rough-riders of the establishment puts it. "Faith, sorr, it's tho divvel that's in thim, and it's us, sorr, that 'exercise!' him." In chargo of this horse reformatory is Colonel Jones, a former Indian officer, who has ridden horses, trained horses, bred horses, and "written horses almost all his -years. With him is Captain S. G. Sanders, former riding-master of tho 4th Dragoon Guards, who loves to take tho very worst cases that oome into tho school for treatment. Thore are also four sergeants, all excellent horsemen, and a little group of seven civilian rough-ridel's whose ambition seems to bo to "get across" *ho wildest thinsr on legs and stick there.

A sense of the real danger of their work seems to bo missing. When the Irish rider mentioned spread-eagled through the air, h:s only comment was, "Sure, it's an angel I'vo been for a little while." That the training at this reformatory is effective is. illustrated by the following summary of what has happened to 324 horses, all sent to the reformatory from the army this year as unmanageable and beyond hope: —Still _ in training, 35; in sick "lines, 7; sold, 6; died, 3; shot, 8; sent back to army cured, 246; ready to send back, 19. SCOTTISH FARMER ALBUM. The Scottish Farmer Album for 1916 (with which is incorporated the Farming World Year Book) is to hand. It, as usual, contains a most interesting summary of various topics pertaining to agriculture, being practically a resume of the past agricultural year. On account merely of the illustrations the volume is of great interest, picturing as it does the winners and champions for tho year at tho Royal Agricultural iSociety of England and Glasgow Stallion Shows. Tho winners of tho Cawdor Cups are also depicted, besides notablo champions in cattle and other breeds, both exported and imported. A summary is "given also of tho more important legal decisions during tho year in tho higher courts of England and Scotland on points of interest to agriculturists, including certain points decided in tho Scottish Land Court. Short articles on (to cito but a few) "Clydesdales and Light Horse Breeding," by Archibald MacNeilage, "Ayrshires," by Lewis Grant, "Border Leicesters," by Alexander Mbwat, etc., all tend to sustain the interest on kindred subjects. Last, but by no means to be disregarded, are the excellent pages devoted to photographs of Scottish farmers and farmers' sons in the fighting line. AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS. Tho South Otago Freezing Company's action in keeping its works open the whole year, though a departure from tho isual practice of New Zealand companies, appears to havo justified itself. Throughout the whole of tho "off" season stock has been coming in freely, and the financial result is expected to bo satisfactory. The regular season has opened satisfactorily, and 9000 freight carcases were sent away recently, and another shipment will be made shortly. The additional storago space, which will double the previous space at the works, is expected to bo available by May 1. It is believed that the whole of it will bo needed beforo tho season is over. There is every prospect of the company having another very successful season. The export of frozen moat from New Zealand last year, said the Hon. W. D. MacDonakl at Wellington on the 28th ult., was valued in round figures at a little over £7,000,000. In 1914 it was £5,000,000. Lambing last season was on tho average 5 per cent, lower than tho previous year. Tho Minister said that he thought that probably the beef for export this year would be poorer on the average than last year, because without doubt a great deal of stock was disposed of last year that should have been retained in New Zealand. Prices were an inducement for breeders to send anything at all away.

Mr Hector M'Lood, who represents the Agricultural Department in tho Taieri district, has collected samples from grain crops which have been harvested this year on tho Taieri Plain. These comprise some of the finest ever grown in tho district. These samples, which are in tho sheaf, are to bo sent to the department in Christchurch, and the grain is to be used in connection with the experimental farm to be established '<• Canterbury. Mr M'Lood informed a Daily Times reporter on the 3rd that there have been some phenomenal grain yields on the Taieri this year, and the crops are largely in keeping with the excellent samples he has collected. These comprise various kinds of wheat, oats, and lucerne.

Tho forthcoming ram and ewe fair, under . the auspices of the Otago Agricultural and Pastoral Society, in conjunction with the Dunedin Stock Agents' Association, will bo held at the Burnside saleyards on Thurs- ; day, March 30, when large entries of purebred rams from various parts of Cantc- j bury, Otago, and Southland may be anticipated. It is reported that Mr Hunt, of Invercargill, is going to put to a year's test (under Government supervision) his fine herd of Holsteins. His cows should give a good account of themselves. Some halfdozen hover about tho eight gallon mark at the pail per day. _lt is to bo hoped" that a forward move will now be made in this important matter of herd-testing. No feature of tho activities of tho agricultural Department warrant more respect, and southerners havo been neglectful hitherto in this matter.

Mr S. Laver, of Lock, Victoria, a new breeder, has imported from Scotland 10 two and four-tooth Border Leicester ewes and one ram. The little flock, now in quar-

antino, was purchased from three different well-known breeders. Whereas before the war freight from England on stud sheep amounted to £5 a head, Mr Layer had to pay £ls per head. The ram died on tho voyage.

On the principle that produce saved is produce gained, the Scottish Board of Agriculture has promised to contribute a third of tho cost entailed if tho committee appointed in East Lothian in connection with the movement for increasing food production can devise a suitable scheme for the destruction of rats. Presumably the offer holds in respect to all counties, as it carries with it the stipulation that the payment to any one county will not exceed £IOO. Tho decision of the board is noteworthy as marking a new departure in Government means of helping agriculture. Reports from tho French agricultural districts, indicate the prevalence of weather conditions even worse than those experienced in England, and work on the small holdings in tho rear of the firing' line is greatly impeded. But W.th their indomitable perseverance the peasants arc carrying on bravely, and are looking wistfully for the return of good weather and the renewal of the English farmers' expert help. Tho Agricultural Relief of Allies Committee has promised a consignment of seed oats for the early spring, and English farmers are co-operating readily with offers of seeds in order that the gifts shall bo on a scalp worthy both of tho cause and of the agricultural community of this country.

Referring to the question of financing the Australian wheat scheme, Mr Hageltliorn made the following statement:—"ln some quarters it has been stated that the cost of administering tho wheat schemo by tho Wheat Commission will amount to from 2d to 3d per bushel on the wheat handled. These statements have emanated from wellinformed circles, and many farmers consider that the cost will be considerably more than that mentioned. It is therefore with a considerable degree of satisfaction that I .am able to announce that the coot of salaries, office expenses, and rent will not amount to more than id per bushel. In other words, apart from agents' charges, the additional cost of Government administration will not exceed Id per bushel. On account of tho sales of wheat which have been effected for internal consumption and for export it is found, on the present adVance of 2s 6d per bushel, that the interest charges will not amount to more than per bushel. Even assuming that a further advance of Is be made, the interest charges which will bo paid by the Government will not in all probability total more than £-d per bushel. According to a return I have received to-day, it appears that, after making reasonably accurate calculations, thero will be a debit against tho Government and tho banks on March 4 of Is 2d per bushel. Tho debit will bo reduced to lOd by May 4, and to 5d on June 4, and thero will bo no debit by July 4." It is now officially announced that tho Government has accepted the generous offer mado by Colonel Hall Walker, M.P., member for Widncs Division of Lancashire, to present his valuable st.ud to the nation. It will also purchase his properties in County Kildare and in Wiltshire, and use them in connection with the maintenance of a proper stock of army horses in tho United Kingdom. Tho 26 brood marcs at present at the Kildare stud include Lady Lightfoot (dam of Princo Palatine, winner of the St. Lcger and of the Ascot Gold CupJ, Jean's Folly (dam of tho St. Leger winner Night Hawk), and tho Thousand Guineas winner Witch Elm, as well as 14 horses in training and 10 yearling fillies. One of the best and biggest lines of cattle which has passed through the Mataura works was going through on the Ist inst. for tho well-known dealer Mr Andrew Townley (says tho Ensign). Tho line, which has been purchased for tho Imperial meat supply, comprised 200 head. The animals were purchased in the Mataura Island district, and it is understood that the biggest proportion of them were fattened at Mr C. Carnie's farm. Sixty-four cf tho animals were slaughtered at the works on the 28th ult. —a record for one day—and all passed. A similar number was put through' on the 29th lilt. The Waimato Advertiser hears that one man who has recently thraphed at Slfcudholmo Junction got 40 bushels per acre from ono paddock and 20 bushels from another. At Willowbridgc a farmer got 20 bushels to the acre, and another farmer at Morven thrashed only 18 bushels to tho acre.

A Hastings farmer has recently purchased 1400 sheep from the Chatham Islands. He is confident {says the Tribune) tho sheep will do well in Bawko's Bay.

Tho drought on the East Coast is almost as acute just now as it was 12 months ago. In chatting with a "Wairarapa Age reporter a well-known Masterton sheepfarmer staterl that unless there was a heavy downpour of rain within the next seven or eight days he intended to depasture his sheep on the back roads of tho Forty-milo Bush, and had already engaged a drover with this object in view. In referring at a mcetiiiEr of tho Southland A. and P. Association to a recent prosecution in connection with the treatment of cows at the last Summer Show, Mr D. Marshall said that some cattle-breeders treated their cows better than thev did their wives.

Tho milk supply at the Edendalo and surrounding factories is being well maintained and records arc certain to be established for the 1915-16 season (says tho

Southland Times). The sugar of milk factory is reported to have received several large orders —one of 100 tons —for its produce. Should the present weather conditions keep up no difficulty is expected in fulfilling the requirements. Over 200 head of cattle per day are now being slaughtered at the Waitara Freezing Works, the sheep killer! being proportionately high (states the Mail). Consequently the freezing- chambers are well on the waj to being full up. Mr Alex. Marshall, Edendale, has an exceptionally fine crop of black oats this season. This crop did not suii'cr so severely from the recent heavy gales as many others did in the Edendale district. Many paddocks of oats round Kamahi are lying flat on the ground. A start has boon made with the erection of the freezing works premises at Wairca. and nearly 50 hands are now employed (says the correspondent of the Napier Telegraph). When finished, it is stated that the works will bo the most up-to-dato freezing works :n the dominion. The initial shipment of cattle from Kaikoura by steamer was made on tho 23rd ult., when the Putiki took 112 head to VVanganuj. The action of the Wellington Provincial Executive of the Farmers' Union in purchasing the Mauriceville lime works has been endorsed by the Feilding branch, whoso members consider (reports tho correspondent of the Dominion) that the proposition is £f good one in the interests of agricultural, lime being so necessary for the Rangitikei and Oroua lands. On February 21 tho New Zealand Dairy Association distributed among its suppliers £73,952 14s 6d. This payment was for 1,282,8101 bof butter-fat supplied during January. The amount distributed for tho corresponding month last, year wm £54,025 16s 4d, and the ircreaso for tho month waa thus £19,926 18s 2d. At a meeting of the Invereargill branch of tho Farmers' Union on tho 26th ult. tho president (Mr Wm. Ford) said that they had received a citation from tho Otago and Southland Rural Workers' Union to attend a sitting of the Conciliation Council in regard to tho wages, etc., of the farm workers (reports the Times). The Farmers' Union was not a body registered under the Arbitration and Conciliation Act, and was not required to take notice of the citation. Tho meeting then went into committee to discuss tho workers' demands.

.4s a result of the continuous sultry and wet weather (says tho Kimberley correspondent of tho Lyttelton Times) blight has made its unwelcome appearance amongst the turnips, rape, and potato crops. _ Tho dairy factory at Orawia has already turned out 1000 cases of cheese for the season; 940 of this number have been railed from Tuatapere (says tho Guardian) to cooi stores at Bluff.

Thrashing returns from the Winchmore district show (says tho Lyttelton Times) thai tho wheat crops are averaging 27 bushels per acre, which is considered by farmers very satisfactory, in view of tho adverse season. Potato-growing has been a profitable industry for a number of New Zealand farmcr< during tho past 12 months. After paying all expenses a profit of fully £IOO per aer* lias been obtained. One Nelson growe* has dug 40 tons of tubers from a two-acr* patch, and has sold them in Wellington for £7 103 per ton, netting a profit of more than £2OO. "That Taranaki has never looted better is the unanimous verdict of the settlers," said tho Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald the other day. " I heard this statement everywhere I went in the district last week. A magnificent season is anticipated. One butter factory manager told ma that this time last year they wore turning out 70 boxes of butter a day, and this year, with practically tho same numbav of suppliers, tho output was 125 boxes." Tho work of collecting cocksfoot seed has been enthusiastically taken up by the Lawrenco school children, and • all likely patches of this now valuable seed are being eagerly sought by the juvenile gatherera (says the Tuapeka Times). Each child ia endeavouring to gather two pounds of seed, and, judging by the activity displayed, the majority of them will have no difficult? in reaching tho mark aimed at.