NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3250, 28 June 1916, Page 10

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

There is a considerable amount of benefit to be derived by providing A Straw-fence shelter for stock in exposed Wind Break. paddocks, and some attempts might be made to alleviate conditions where cold winds but discomfort the stock. A wind-break fence erected at certain points will go a long way towards stopping the currents of cold air. Where such a fence is required but for a short period (says a correspondent of an American paper), perhaps nothing is more practical than a straw fence, made by setting the posts in line from Bft to 12ft apart, using posts long enough to go in the ground one-third of their length, allowing them to run above ground the height of the fence desired; then stretch tightly a wire fence, on which the wires average 4in apart, and at the end post return back on the opposite side of the posts to the place of beginning, which, it will bo soon, leaves a space in the centro of tho fence equal to the diameter of the posts used, which should be at least lin for every lit in height of tho fence. Make a hopper, the top of which should bo at least 2ft across the top and about 4ft long, running down wedge-shape, with an opening at the baso 4in by 4ft, with a piece of board 4in widt» and about 3ft long nailed in one end of tho hopper, allowing it to run 18in below, so that it can pass down between tho wires to hold the hopper in place. The straw can be thrown by tho forkful into' the hopper, and with a piece of board about 2ft longer than the height of the fence the straw can be packed down to tho baso in the space made by tho double fence, and the more thorough tho packing the better tho fence will stand tho high gales.

The future of wheat-growing is a serious problem in the Dominion, Wheat- and the sooner a conference growing. of thoso most interested can be arranged, and sonio satisfactory solution como to, the better for eTery one of us. At tho recent meeting of tho Waikari Branch of tho Farmers' Union it was unanimously resolved that the following- motion be sent to the North Canterbury Executive: —"The Waikari Branch of the Farmers' Union urges the Provincial Executive to take into consideration tho serious position of wheat-growers, and with a view to avert the imminent collapse of tho industry requests the executive to take action as follows: —To arrange a conference of representative growers from all parts of Canterbury and North Otago, at a placo to bo decided on, with a view to discussing the whole question as it affects not only the growers, but tho whole community, and to select a strong deputation to proceed to Wellington to interview the Government." No one section can satisfactorily determine how best to keep the industry going. Naturally enough, no farmer is inclined to grow wheat if the market for wool, meat, and dairy produce is from a monetary point of view more attractive. In response to tho Primo Minister's iippeal a largo area was sown last season, but on account of two dry seasons in succession tho yield in many cases was not a payable one. Although, farmers generally recogniso that it is their duty to stimulate tho production of foodstuffs within tho Empire, they naturally enough will eliminate the most unpayable crop from their rotation, and concern themselves rather with sheep-breeding, cattle-raising, or dairying. A guarantee of 5s per bushel for best grade wheat doubtless would assure sufficient being grown by farmers, and that would necessitate somo alteration in tho tariff on flour from Australia. Again, the consumer must, bo considered as well as tho producer, as they would not brook high, artificial prices as against heavy yields per acre secured by the grower.

According to market reports for May the prices of New Zealand pelts New Zealand and skins in London are Pelts. still on the make—vide Gordon and Woodruffe and Company's latest: —"Wo have had a very strong- market during the past four weeks, and prices have again advanced. North Island freezing sheep pelts must be quoted 8s to 10.-. higher than a year ago, and lambs 5s to 7s higher. The demand is for all classes, including mixed butcher and dried skins. None of the new season** Canterbury pelts have yet arrived here. Big as the advance is. which has already taken place, the immediate outlook seems rather to favour higher than lower prices. The present, demand is far in excess of the available supply. The new season's pelts are coining forward slowly, due to freight difficulties. The supply coming- to London this year will be smaller than usual, as American buyers have, made a gopd many pur-

chases in Now Zealand. No doubt owners have been influenced in making these sales by the. difficulties thoy have had in getting freight facilities- for London.'' It may be noted here that the best woolled skins at the present time offered at Burnsidc will weigh something over 12ib per sheep, and will sell at round about Is a lb, so that at the moment probably exporters are moie impressed with the nature and length of the wool, etc., than in ordinary seasons. Here, again, it is that the breeder who aims to increase, anil does, the weight of his wool clip scores. The denser the iiecces the more fibres there are to a square inch of skin and the more wool can bo grown. A sheep with a good, dense fleece will eat no more than on > without density and, of course, the length and robustnes J of the staple will depend considerably on the health and welfare of the sheep, together with its age.

•Something- definite may be shortly expected in the way of experimental Experimental work : n the South Island, Farms. inasmuch as £6OOO has been planed on the Estimates in that connection. The locations of the experiment,,! farms have not yet been divulged, except that work of an experimental nature in the Ashburton district will be further extended. Work on right lines will be welcomed. In Canterbury, of course. Lincoln College is doing good work; but in North and Central Otago serious, problems await investigation, and lines of right fertilisation, etc., need popularising. The growth of drought-resisting plants like lucern, the encouragement of ensilagemaking and the feeding of same, the topdressing of grass lands with suitable inexpensive manure, ere a few activities which may well be undertaken to the general benefit of the whole community. The creation of a more general interest in herdtesting, the saving of farm seeds like rape mangolds, etc., are matters that should at the present time directly concern producers. AGRICOLA. ANSWER TO CORRESPONDENT. By AghiCOLA. "Novo Castrian," Waihemo, inquires in regard to coughing hoggets, which have been on turnips for six weeks and have been dosed twice, and although scouring has stopped, the hoggets are still coughing; what treatment is now required to effect a complete cure? No doubt the rapid change of feed on to the turnips, and possibly, too, the cold camping ground, together with contaminated stagnant water, all helped to bring on bronchial troubles. Drain the wafer away, supply nourishing dry feed, also a "lick," and give a change of feed. A ''lick" made of Liverpool salt with turpentine, stirred in will bo taken grecdilv by sheep. Renew turps occasionally as it evaporates, keep it dry in a box, away from the wet weather. Endeavour by every means to get the hoggets to eat some dry feed —good quality hay or the like. Some older sheep turned in with them if ever hard fed will soon teach them. As the scour has stopped it may not advantage much to dose again, but should you wish to, try linseed oil and turpentine (80-to-l), and give a dose of a tablespoonful to each hogget.