NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 8

NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

It has been proposed to send wool-sorters from Australia to England Wool-Gorters to relieve the pressure for England. caused by the shortage of hands at Home, and the opinion of the official organ of the wool trade in New South Wales will be read with interest:—"For 20 years the sheep and wool classes in connection with the Technical College have been teaching woolsorting to spinning qualities, and there are a large number of men about the country fully capable of taking up the work. Moreover, they not only have the technical training, but have considerablo Australian experience. It is worthy of note that no fewer than 11' ex-students of the Technical College are among the appraisers appointed by trie Commonwealth Government in connection with the present scheme of dealing with the Australian clip, and the college authorities inform us that the training there is based on the Bradford system of sorting to spinning qualities, and that all who have gained the college certificate would bo competent. . . . The shortage of labour in the Old Country is a very serious matter, and both the trade and the Government would welcome a draft of Australian sorters. Th-i proposition has two aspects which recommend it to the consideration of those interested. ' First, it would obviate the necessity o{ withdrawing those wool-sorters who are already in the trenches, and, secondly, those who went to England would come back enriched by valuable experiences •which cannot but reflect on the future work in Australasia. Large numbers of men have been sent to England to engage in ' muniton-making and the same methods could be well adopted in this instance."

" No, Ave don't need to test our cows. Maybe these fellows can't; "Telling" by but I could tell which Looking at Them, of these coavs are profitmakers and which produce the most milk." A young farmer made this statement to his wife (says an exchange) as they looked over a Cow-testing Association exhibit at a recent State fair.

Several men who are considered to be excellent judge* had placed the animals. The production records were posted above these cowa, and had failed to rank them in the order of production. So a number of farmers turned to get a good look at the speaker. Such a man could give valuable assistance in selecting a herd, or by serving as a judge at the different dairy shows; also he could save money for the 70G0 members of Cow-testing Associations who hired a man to keep records of their cows eo that they can " tell." He cou'd simply look their herds over and decide which individuals are profitable. Perhaps this young farmer wished to keep his system of judging secret, for the close scrutiny of the Cow-testing Association men embarrassed him into hurrying away with his wife. He had fooled none of the farmers; ho acted as though he was not <ruite sure of the truth of the etatement himself. An oat-less-meat campaign has started in Australia by the Minister of Eat-Less-Meat Agriculture, which might Campaign. well bo followed in the Dominion. The co-operation of the Education Department will be sought. At cookery centres the instructors could point out what could be substituted for meat foods, and give demonstrations with a view to showing how meat could be more economically served. The Minister stated that he had received a letter from the physiology professor at the Melbourne University, pointing out that the world's shortage of food demanded economy in consumption in Australia. That could, be obtained by a more judicious selection of foods ill regard to their relative nutritive and economic value and by a reduction in the amount of food actually consumed, especially meat. It was pointed out that scientific research had undoubtedly proved tha-s the amount of meat eaten by the average Australian was not only unnecessary for the maintenance of health, but, in the opinion of many leading authorities, actually harmful to the individual. To reduce the_ amount of meat eaten would not be an injustice, but would result in a saving .of money to many and, in many cases, betterment of health. The widest circulation and emphasis of these facts would do much in serving to secure considerable national economy.

Ergot is a fungus disease, and attacks ryo and such grasses as Spreading bromus, ryegrass, red top, , of Ergot. and a few others. The

fungus when it attacks a Kernel causes it .to swell up to several times its. original size, and to turn purple. In the summer time the ergot spreads by sports that are carried by insects. The fuiv gus secretes a sweetish juice, which attracts the insects, and thus aids in the distribution of the pores. The ergot is carried over the winter by the purplish ergot grains, which grow -in the spring, sending up little growths £in tall, on the ends of which spores are produced. These are carried to the flower by the wind. There is no prevention, except not to grow the same crop on the land infested with ergot for two or three years. If a grain crop follows the rye, any volunteer rye should be cut before it blossoms, to keep it from growing ergot to reseod the land. agrigola; agricultural and pastoral NEWS. Addressing a meeting of farmers at Milton some days ago, the Minister of Agriculture stated, in reference to the f.o.b. charges on wheat that, where the wheat was not actually shipped f.0.b., but waa delivered to local merchants and miilers, those- charges should not be deducted. This statement has had the effect of inducing several farmers to demand a refund ei f o.b. charges on wheat already sold to local millers, and we understand that some growers are now asking higher prices than tt>ey should receive in view of the Gazette notice fixing, the highest possible price that r;::ay be paid to a grower. Local merchants and millers have been paying farmer? the Government price f.o.b. tor their .vheat, and have been deducting f.o.b. charges and railage, and in this way the grower has received an equivalent price on trucks at country sidings to that fixed. If the f.o.b. charges were refunded to the grower, he would receive Id per bushel above the price decided upon by the Government as the maximum. The Minister's (statement has put these merchants and millers in an awkward position owing to the demands made by some fanners for a refund, and this matter was discussed yesterday at a meeting of the Millers' Association. On© firm of merchants telegraphed to the Board of Trade advising it of the method of payment adopted here, which was understood to cover the requirements of the Government proclamation. The following reply, which was received from the Board of Trade, makes it clear that f.o.b. charges must be .deducted from the price paid to the grower: —"Your reading of the Gazette re the price of wheat is correct. The board has no knowledge of the alleged statement made by the Minister of Agriculture, and doubts whether such a statement was ever made." Tho turnip crop in Strath-Taieri, which a short time ago promised to be a good one, is (a correspondent writes) now suffering very severely from the ravages of blight and fly. With the splendid weather of late autumn there has been a wonderful growth of grass, and feed is so abundant that in ordinary circumstances turnips would not be largely used for weeks to come. Now, however, farmers ore turning their stock on to the crops in order to eat it off before it is completely lost. In conversation a leading farmer the other day declared that this unfortunate disease is almost universal throughout the Strath, and the loss caused mUst in the aggregate amount to a huge total. One fanner has been endeavouring to secure specimens of the fly, with the intention of asking the opinion of experts as to the best means for stamping out the pest. The loss caused is so great, and tho damage bo widespread that it is felt in many quarters that the Government ought to take tho matter up and institute expert investigations with the object of killing out

the blight and the deadly fly, and of preventing them from invading other districts that havo up till now a clean bill of health in this respect. The desirableness of the Government acquiring' all or most of the late lion. R. M'Nab's Knapdale Estate as an experimental farm camo in for commendation by the Gore Borough Council at its last meeting, when it was unanimously decided — "That this council strongly urges upon the Minister of Agrjculture the advisableness of acquiring the Knapdale Estate as an experimental farm."

At a meeting of the Mandeville Branch of the Farmers' Gnion the following resolution ■was passed, and copies sent to the Acting Prime Minister and the Minister of Agriculture: —"That -this branch of the Farmers' Union supports the Government in its endeavour to maintain the output of tho primary products, particularly foodstuffs, but in view of the serious shortage of capable labour it is necessary to exempt all iarm workers from military service until a sufficiency of such labour is assured." The Minister of Agriculture states that the wool taken over in New Zealand on behalf of the Imperial Government is as follows .-—Bales' valued, 418,234; bales shipped, 208,497; available for shipment, 209,737; no space allotted, 99,046; number paid for, 376,487. The total payments for wool amount to £8,791,759. The Montreal Empire Resources Committee proposes to form a -200,000,000acro State farm in tho West of Canada. The scheme staggers tho Federal provincial officials, though it is recognised that ■ tho backers of the idea are not visionaries, but hard-headed, practical statesmen of vast experience, used to handling enormous problems. It is believed, however, that grave difficulties will be presented by the fact that State-owned land does not exceed 25,000,000 acres, in Manitoba, Alberta, and •Saskatchewan, and that the balance of the land is owned by the railways or privately, the latter land being more settled, and commanding a far higher price than that suggested by the committee.

The Board of Agriculture (England) have received a communication from a Toronto (Canada) firm of rennet manufacturers regarding tho possibility of finding a market for their rennet extract in that country. They stato that they are in a position to ship 500 gallons per week in 40-gal'lon barrels. The price quoted, f.o.b. Toronto, is 4.85d0l (approximately £1) per gallon in contracts of 100 gallons per week, put in new oak kegs rjaraffined on tho inside and varnished on the outside. Their standard goods are on tho basis of 3oz of extract to coagulate 10001 b of milk in 35min at 86deg Fahr. The name of the firm will he furnished on application to the board.

On account of the numerical increase of tho stud and scarcity of labour, Mr William Dunlop, of Dunurc Mains, Ayr, Scotland, has parted with 50 head of Clydesdales from his famous stud. Tho Wallace A. and P. Association held their tenth annual ram fair on their grounds, Otautau, on tho 12th inst. Four hundred rams were penned, which is probably the largest entry recorded at this fair. Clr'ofly Border Leicester? and Romncys were offered. A Border Leicester offered by tho N.M. and A. Co. on account of Mr W. Kennedy was passed in at £ll, and a Romney on account of tho same owner was sold at '6§gs, which was tho highest price offered for this clans. A largo number failed to reach sellers' reserves, in most cases by half a guinea. Four guineas, 4|gs, and sgs were the preva : ling sale prices. A pen of Mr <tohn IlorrelPs Leicester.? were sold by Henderson and Co. at 6£gs, and three oneshear Romncys of Mr W. Kennedy's realised 6.J.<rs also. Advices received by the Minister of Agriculture (Mr Hagelthorn) indicate that the Victorian wheat yield has been well over 50,000.000 bushels, which is in excess of departmental estimates. Mr Hagelthorn stated yesterday (says the Melbourne Arsrus of April 4) that, up to Saturday, 47.000.000 bushels of new wheat had been received into the "pool.'' and. as about 3.000.000 bushels were always reserved for seed pumosos. it was now certain that over 50.000.000 bushels would represent this season's harvest. NATIONAL DASRY SHOW, 1917. The attention of readers is called to the advertisement appearing in our columns relating to the above. At the same time and place v.jll _ lie held' the Manawatu Poultry Association's Rhow, Breeders' consignment cattle sale. National Dairy Association and N.Z. Dairy Factory Managers' annual meetings and conferences; also the annual test football matches between Wanganui and To Auto (Native) Colleges. The importance and educational value of this show is now well known, it having risen to its present hisrh position during the 14 years of its continuance, principally from the exceedingly convenient central position of Palnviston North and the very excellent and commodious faculties -provided for exhibitors. there being something annronohing 50.000 square feet of space available for use. The competitive divisions comprise butter, cheese, honey, fruit, vegetables, field roots, farm produce, mn, seeds, amateur photography, art needlework. hom» eookerv. preserves etc..deer heads, poultry, and ring competitions, so fli<it both from an rvhirarional and i"tcrosMnT stapdnomt a vis> fo the show will avcll repay the visitor. Prize

schedules are now in course of preparation, and may be had free on application to the secretary, Mr W. T. Penny, Box 85, Palmerston North. General entries will close on June 2. Applications for business exhibits should be sent in at once.