OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

Otago Witness, Issue 3292, 18 April 1917, Page 10

OUR CANTERBURY AGRICULTURAL BUDGET.

(From Our Own Correspondent.) A GOOD CHANGE. As I sat clown to fix up these- notes I thought of heading the weather portion or them with words to the effect that the country has passed through a transforming process since last I wrote, owing to the favourable change in the weather which wo have- experienced. I changed my mind, however. It is true that things have improved tremendously since I wrote- a fortnight ago; but it would be a bit of a stretch to say that a transformation had taken place. After my last budget appeared we had a run of drying nor'-westers that raged for several days, and largely undid the good that the previous rain had done. Then came some fine warm but calm days, one of which was Easter Monday. That was a perfect day for holiday purposes—in fact, it was a bit'too hot for those who spent the day in the open. The next day a change came early in the morning, and by the evening a steady downpour was in progress. This lasted throughout the night and into a portion of the next day. About lin was registered in my district; but the fall varied a good bit in different localities. Luckily dull and showery conditions have prevailed since, so that the most has been made out of the moisture that has fallen. There has been a tendency for a wind from the hills to come out, but so far only a few drops of rain have visited us from that direction. THE COUNTRY.

The country has improved out of all knowledge during the past week. The roadsides are beautifully green, and the grass paddocks have freshened up wonderfully. The previous rain softened the ground a little, but it did not seem sufficient to cause a marked amount of growth. The iast fall has supplied that, which was lacking, and. the ground, being warm, a noticeable improvement in evervthing has taken place. The green feed," of which there is a large quantity, has shown up the most. Bright green paddocks arc to be seen everywhere, and every day recently sown stuff is coming literally to light—ii: faci, I do not remember ever seeing growth so rapid as it .'s just now. While it is •too late for the f>eids to get covered with a" lot of grass, there is still time to see a nice bite come, a picking that will be mosi acceptable now that the rams are going out. Any paddocks that can be cleared for a few days are showing up well. New grass sown at any time during the past 18 months is moving satisfactorily; but tfld pastures cannot bo expected to improvi? out of all knowledge at this time of th* year. The land is working up very well since the rains, and team work is going on as fast as circumstances will allow, though there are a number of idlo horses to be seen, presumably because there is no labour

available to work thorn. This is a question that is etill agitating the minds of farmers to a considerable extent, and is influencing the matter of the sowing of wheat detrimentally. As far .as I can learn, farmers are wanting to respond to the Minister's appeal to grow mora wheat; but they are not sure of the position. I fancy that an increased area will go in, and more would be sown if labour were available, and the position next harvest could be assured. Horse feed is scarce, and teams are getting thin-looking owing tflPhave to work on oatsheaf chaff that in ordinary years would bo considered as lit for only sheep or cattle. There are a few big tallies. I have hoard of one going up to SO bushels per acre; but yields such as that are very few and far between. A great many more hover in the vicinity of about 10 bushels, and poor stuff at that. In some cases there are only three and a-half bushels going in the bag. On the other hand grass seed has filled out splendidly, and many samples are like oats, and are fit to put through the seedsower straight from the mill if one feels so disposed, though thero can be no doubt that it pays to dress it and all other seeds after they come off the mill. Weeds would not be spread so thoroughly if this were done, and there would not be so much rubbish sown that should go to the pigs instead of into the ground. Indeed, farmers should go in for some seed selection on their own account with a view to procuring pure strains. The work takes up a certain amount of time, but not so much a 3 some imagine. The perfect way is to pick one good head and raise a sample of seed from that head, or from one grain in it. However, that may appear to bo too big a contract, especially in these times. If so, much improvement could be gained by picking out some sheaves of good ears containinggram true to name and tvpe. This is not such a very big job, as I have _uroved. and it is satisfactory to get back to "a" comparatively pure sample. In the case ->i Lincoln College, where Dr Hilgcndorf has cultivated some pure strains, it is found that pure strain wheat, grown undor the sone conditions as farmers' samples, will beat the latter by something like 10 bushels an acre. This is a growth in yield that repays one for a lot of trouble. So anxious are farmers to get hold of some of these pure strain varieties that the college authorities cannot hope to supplv the demand. There is not much use in a farmer securing only a bushel or so for seed, because he has «not much chance of keeping the stuff clean and pure unless ho handthrashes, and that kind of work goes against the grain nowadays. By putting a small quanity through the mill in the ordinary way, the seeds become mixed again, because the thrashers cannot be cleaned up absolutely perfectly, and some strange seeds are sure to bo shaken down from some internal crevices as soon as the mill starts to work again at the now set. Some of us have had Calif ornian thistle brought in to the place by thrashing machines carrying the seed from one farm to the other in the internal mechanism. At the college I understand that for raising pure strains and similar work a small mill is used that can be taken to pieces so that each part can bo thoroughly cleaned before recommencing thrashing after changing from one set to another. STOCK.

Stock still continues to have a good time. The weather keeps warm and heavy rains have not yet been experienced. As far as store stock is concerned, there is a sufficiency of feed to be had, and ewes will go to the ram in good order, and will be ready to stand a bit of rough weather later on. Lamb feed is not too plentiful.. There are hundreds of farmers who have no roots to fall back on, and if the present blockage at the works continues for any length of time they will be in a bit of a fix. It is true that green feed is growing, fast,, but there will not be a great deal of feeding in it before winter unless it was in early. A good deal of apprehension is being felt in regard to the situation of lamb, and unless some shipping is available next month the position will become acute. The only parts where the roots are to be seen in anything like decent quantities arc up near the hills, where there were showers to help things out earlier in the season. At one or two local shows held in up-country places the exhibition of roots and seeds was a revelation to those Avho visited from down-country, though the visitors were assured that the crops were not as good as they were last year. Some of the visitors were able to assure the local farmers that down-country there are many who have not even sufficient roots for the dairy cows, and very little of anything else. The rams_ are now being put out under good conditions. The prices of sheep are not anything like as lively as they were a month ago. Some bargains have been made compared _ to values at the beginning of March, and if the spring is a good one somo dealers will make a tidy sum. One very pleasing feature is the fact that a large number of ewe lambs are being held over, presumably for breeding purposes next season. Many of the larger farmers are finding that they must really breed their own ewes in the future. Cattle are still good property. In fact, late developments in the meat trade have turned a certain amount of attention to cattle, and anything at all on hoofs is selling well. We sincerely hope that the will not be a hard one. Somo pessimists assert that we cannot help having a bad time this winter, as we have been treated so well during the past three or four seasons. EFFICIENCY. The Minister of Agriculture has gone off to the West Coast to help settle the mining difficulty. He was to have lectured in some more of the wheat-growing districts when more important matters claimed him. The Efficiency Commissioner for the Canterbury Military District (Mr J. A. Frostick) and his agricultural aclviscr (Mr Burbury) have been in Canterbury, and committees of advice and trustees to manage absent soldiers' farms have been set up in each county. The usefulness of these committees is somewhat doubtful as yet, but they ought to bo able to exercise one useful function, and that is to advise the Military Appeal Boards as to letting somo men remain on the land to keep the farming industry going. It was felt at one time that the committees might justify themselves if in that respect only.- Lately, however, the ApDeal Boards have shown a tendency to send men away at all costs. and the representations of the local committees have not been paid any attention. This is discouraging to men who have investigated cases thoroughly with a view to doing the right thing both as regards supplying food and men to the Empire. Protests are being made, and it is to bo hoped that local representations in these matters will receive bettor consideration

than they have during the past week or two. I am sure that the typo of men that have been placed on the majority of the committees set up throughout tho length and breadth of the land will not endeavour to keep men out of the firing lino unless there is very good reason . for doing so.

SYDMEY ROYAL SHOW.

At the Sydney Royal Show there wcro sales of lots of Romney Marsh and Leicester sheep on behalf of New Zealand breeders. Tho prices ranged from 16gs to 4gs. - At the sales of draught stallions on behalf of New Zealand owners prices ranged from 35gs to 150 gs. A bid of 500 gs for the champion draught stallion Baron Carlisle was refused. For Messrs Mitchell and O'Brien's Clydesdale mares there was a keen demand, price? ranging from 75gs to 106 gs. The top figure for yearlings' was for the Malt King colt, which fetched 500 gs. The Martian — Celous colt and the Hallowmas —Prasseul filly, sold on behalf of Mr "Highden," of Palmerston • North, brought 410 gs and 150 gs respectively. Heavy rain interfered with the yearling sales. The show closed on tho 12th. Tho total attendance was 424,000—100,000 more than tho previous record. The takings were £17,000.

THE NATIONAL PATRIOTIC APPLE SHOW.

In our advertising columns appears the first notice with regard to this show, which is this year to be held in Dunedin. The 1916 show, held in Wellington, was the first of its kind, and, though launched without any great special effort, it proved a huge success. This year Otago gets the chance of the exhibition, and as all the provincial districts are showing one against the other, and each is arranging specially-prepared stands of artistic designs, the competition is expected to be very keen. The proceeds from the show, derived from all sources, are to be equally divided betw r cen tho Patriotic Societies, and it is to bo hoped that the response of the public will be such that a largo sum of money will be tho result. The dates of the show are from Tuesday, Ist, until Friday, 4th May, and as most of the country people can get away from their farms about that time, it is anticipated that a good number will avail themselves of the unique opportunity afforded of seeing the produce of the whole Dominion displayed in Dunedin.

NEW ZEALAND F.RIEBIAN9.

GOOD RECORDS ESTABLISHED. The New Zealand Friesian Association's third book, now issued, gives some very interesting- information as to the progress th'i breed is making. The list of certificated cows certainly shows that there are some ■ remarkable bucket-fillers among the New Zealand .Friesians. Fifty-four names are given in the junior two-year-olds, and among the' highest are Mr W. I. Lovelock's Lady of Cliffside 2nd, with 16,320.51 b of milk and 535.21 b of butter-fat; the same owner's Domino's Colantha Lass, showing 14,3521 b of milk and 533.481 b of butterfat; Mr- R. K. M'Donald's Friesland Tirania, 15,538.21 b of milk and 508.31 b of butter-fat; and Messrs H. North and Sons' Burkeyje Sylvia Posch, 16,646.31 b of milk and 505.21 b of buttertfat.

There are 35 senior two-year-olds, andat the top of the tree is Mr J. Donald's Nctherland Princess 4th, with no less than 19,621.61 b of milk and £05.71b of butterfat. Mr Geo. Aitchison's Corona comes next with 17,967.21 b of milk and 625.51 b of butterfat, followed by Mr W. I. Lovelock's Pietreje Lassie of Cliffside, with 16,771.61 b of milk and 597.281 b of fat. Of the 29 junior three-year-olds Mr F. W. Koberstein's Ethel of Friesland Park gave 17,653.21 bof milk and 638.851 bof butter-fat. In milk-production she was, however, beaten by Messrs H. North and Sons' Btirkeyje' Sylvia Posch with 19,624.71 b of milk and 610.421 bof butter-fat. Other good milkers in the class are: G-. Aitchison's Gladys 2nd, with 15,758.251 b of milk and 6141 bof butter-fat; the same owner's Tui de Kol, with 16,2771 b of milk and 599.431 b of butter-fat. and Mr W. _I. Lovelock's Lady Tirana" de Kol 2nd, with 16,679.31 b of milk and 551.641 b of butterfat. There are 39 senior three-year-olds listed, and Mr C. A. Hopping's Manor Beets Daughter 2nd of Ashlyn is first with 18,733.91 b of milk and 863.511 b of butterfat, and Mr 0. Aitchison's Dutchland Colantha Mercedes next with 19,3871 b of milk and 756.91 b of butter-fat; other heavy milkers being the same owner's Dutch Girl with 18,332.151 b of milk and 615.851 b of butter-fat, and Mr W. I. Lovelock's Duchess of Dellhurst, with 18,485.51 b of milk and 615.851 b of butter-fat. Of the 12 junior four-year-olds Mr G. Aitchison's Meta stands out with 18,285.751 b of milk and 675 061 b of butter-fat, the next being Mr W. Barton's Salvia Johanna Lyons, with 17,406.41 b of milk and 560.471 b of butter-fat. There are 14 senior four-year-olds, and Mr C. A. Hopping's Grace Fayne of Ashlyn has the best record with 17.9341 b of milk and 7161 bof butter-fat, the same owner's Countess of Maplehurst coming next with 14,414.31 b. of milk and 502.091 b of butter-fat: There are 62 cows in the mature class, and both in milk and butter-fat Mr A. J Gallichan's Holland Queen comes first with 20,629.91 bof milk and 755.781 b of butter-fat, and next to her for milk-produc-tion is the New Zealand Government's Manola. whose record is 20,755.251 b of milk and 585.641 bof butter-fat. Mr G. Aitchison has two good cows m Daisv. with 19.994.251 b of milk and 659.31 b of' butterfat and Virginia, with 18.307.751 bof milk and p52.911b of butter-fat. A profitable cow is Mr J. 11. Parkinson's Viola, which gave 14.817.61 bof milk and 661.161 bof butter-fat. Several other cows also went over 6Oolb of butter-fat.

The following is a portion of the report of Mr H. M. Gardner, superintendent of advanced registry of the Holstein-Friesian Association of America, and makes an interesting comparison with the above:—"ln the yearly division seven cows have during the year exceeded the records in their several classes. At the bc.ginnin<r of the year the record in the full-age class was held by Bancstine Belle de Kol, with a production of 1058.3-1 lb of butter-fat from 27,404.41 b of milk; but during the .year four cows have exceeded that production. Soon after the opening of the year Finderne Pride Johanna Jtue broke the record not only for the class, but for the division, by a production of 1176.471 b of butter-fat from 28,403.71 b of milk, this record standing for a few

months. Then came the still more wonderful production of 1205.091 bof butter-fat from 27,761.71 b of milk by Duchess Skylark Ormsby. and this great cow i 3 the first to pass the 12001 b mark. Later in the year Ona Button do Kol produced 1076.41 b of butter-fat from 26,761.21 bof milk; and Maple Crest Pontiao Application, in the same herd, which gave us Banostine Belle do Ivol. 1075.441 bof butter-fat from 23,421.21 bof milk. It is quite remarkable that these two great cows should show a difference in production of exactly lib of butter-fat."