SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3276, 27 December 1916, Page 9

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Oue Own Correspondent.) The cool weather prevailing during the early part of the week aused many to be apprerensive regarding climatic onditions during the holiday season. There certainly was a time when the festive season did not trouble the average agriculturist—at all events as far as holiday-making was concerned; but of recent years, especially since the advent of motor cars, the agriculturist and his family have taken quite kindly to holidays, and the man—and woman, too, for that matter —who was prone to refer in sarcastic terms to the town-dweller who took holiday when ever opportunity offered, is now quite as great a sinner himself in the matter of holidays. It must not be assumed, however, that all agriculturists are in the position of being able to take a day or days off when occasion demands it. The man, in humbler circumstances, who Irelies on dairying as his principal means of livelihood, is not one of those who indulge in relaxation to this extent. As a matter of fact, very few dairy factory suppliers are in a position to own motor cars, and are perforce to bo content with an equine conveyance. Their more fortunate brethren, however, who have reached the stage of producing wool and mutton are the possessors of motor cars to a very great extent, and they take full advantage of all opportunities offering to give the car an airing. In some cases turnips are still being sown; but, generally speaking, this part of the year’s work is at an end. It is yet too early to make any definite statement as to the success or otherwise of the turnip braird, as a few days of dry, scorching winds would make all the difference between a good and a bad strike. As far as can be seen at present, however, the seed has come away fairly well. Shearing is somewhat protracted. Some of the larger up-country sheds are doing the work with attenuated “ boards,” but with moderately dry weather the work is proceeding satisfactorily.

The Weather < and ] the Farm. c

The shortage of labour is becoming more and more pronounced aa men continue to be called up for military service. Untrimmcd hedges and fences out of repair are an evidence of the scarcity of labour. This cannot, however, be regarded as being of serious moment, more particularly in view of the exigencies of the question of questions—the prosecution of the war. It is all too apparent, however, that the well-to-do farmers of Southland have not realised their responsibilities in the matter of assisting in the world-wide struggle. Many of them appear to be deeply concerned as to the possibilities of a shortage in food production. These men must yet be made to realise that the duty we all owe to our country is to help win the war; and while the production of food supplies may be considerably reduced as a result of the depletion of the ranks of labour, that is a minor matter (comparatively speaking) compared with the prosecution of the war, especially in the matter of supplying men capable of bearing arms. There is no disputing the dill! dty of securing the services of capable men to engage in farm work; but farmers must not fail to realise that the most efficient man for general farm work is the man who has been called to the colours. Employers must not be too fastidious in this respect, and should bo content to accept the services of '‘ineligible” men who may not bo quite so Capable of performing farm duties ns those they have been accustomed to employ. The Otago Military Service Board, which, of course, has jurisdiction in Southland province, is making it very plain to farmers that they must not expect to retain the services of their sons who are eligible for active service. Some of these men who have eligible sons have, according to the evidence' submitted to the Appeal Board, made no effort to secure outside assistance with a view to releasing their sons. They talk glibly of the scarcity of labour, but,

Shortage of Labour.

when questioned closely, have to admit that they have made no attempt to cope with the difficulty.

The season is now approaching when tho bot-fly nuisance will present itself again. These parasites created a great deal of alarm in veterinary circles a a decade or so ago, but it is now generally accepted that, with well-fed, vigorous animals, little damage is caused by them, though they may be harmful to young or poor animals. The adult female bot-fly attaches the light yellow oval eggs to _ the hairs on the logs, breast, and ncclc, principally, of the horse. These hatch out, and cause a certain amount of irritation, which tho horse endeavours to alleviate by biting or licking, and thus transfers the larva} tothe stomach, to tho mucous membrance of which they at once attach themselves by their hooked mandibles. Hero they remain. feeding on the wall of the stomach for the greater part of the year. Professor Wortlcy Axe states plainly that no safe treatment —i. 0., treatment which would not injure the animal —can be used to expel the bots. They will leave hold in due course to complete their life history, and are then expelled in tho ordinary way. Recent bulletins from tho United States show that tho United States Department of Agriculture has carried out a number of experiments on horses, and claims that a course of carbon bisulphide is the only remedy mentioned in the latest European work on veterinary science. The method adopted is to give a small amount of hay and oats in the morning, in the evening no feed, but a purgative of Barbadoea aloes (loz) or raw linseed oil (one pint); next day at 6 a.m., 7 a.m., and 8 a.m, give three drehms of carbon bisulphide in a gelatine capsule each time. For a yearling three drachms of carbon bisulphide in a be sufficient. When the gelatine dissolves tho carbon bisulphide rapidly evaporates, and chokes, not only the bot larvte, but other parasites as well. Many farmers wisely use preventive measures by hanging hessian over or by dressing the parts most subject to attack with kerosene.

The Bot Fly.

The question of tho shortage of shipping space for cheese is reaching an acute stage, and it looks as if factories may have to close down temporarily if refrigerated space is not provided, and that promptly. The congestion can only be relieved by additional steamers being made available, and the difficulty at present is to get them. Tho allotment of dairy produce space made by tho Ship-owners’ Overseas Committee to tho Now Zealand trade does not reflect much credit on that body, and dairymen have a just cause for complaint.The requisitioning of the wool clip by tho Now Zealand Government, on behalf of tho Imperial authorities, is still causing apprehension and anxiety to growers. Arrangements have been made to commence valuing tho clip in Invercargill on 4th prox. The appointment of a supervising arbitrator, as provided for in the proclamation commandeering the clip, has not yet been satisfactorily arranged. Provision is made for one man doing tie whole of the work in Otago and Southland, and the Growers’ Committee and Buyers’ Committee conferred with tho Government valuers in Dunedin on Saturday last, and agreed upon a gentleman prominent in wool circles in the Kakanui district. This gentleman consented to act, and as tho Government approved of his appointment tho matter was thought to have been satisfactorily settled. Southland woolmen, however, now want a Southland man as arbitrator, and a deadlock has ensued. The fact has apparently been overlooked that tho office is arbitrator, not valuer, for one section of those interested.

Miscellaneous.