SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3327, 19 December 1917, Page 12

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.)

The all absorbing topic amongst those interested in agricultural pursuits \yas the show. It is a matter of considerable interest to the business people of Invercargill, too, and the A. and P. Society had every reason to desire good weather and a bumper attendance, as well as large entries, to swell their funds a fcit, which can stand the strain of augmenting so much, better 'than any further depletion. Tuesday was a cold, boisterous day, and to me the attendance of the general public was the most meagre I have seen since the holding of the show (for the fifth time) on the new grounds. There were two striking novelties, which came after the fine display of cattle exhibits ancL-in the sheep classes, of Border Lcicesters and Roiiinoys. These were a staple-making machine, and the Once-over 'tiller. Of the first, the consensus of opinion seemed to. be 'that in these times of costly material there was as much wire going to waste on a farm that would, if used up profitably instead of being wasted, enable the machine to pay for its first cost. Of 'the tiller it was generally held that, under favourable conditions, it might bo a useful implement. Some were under the impression that if the soil and weather were not suitable it might not so fully and effectively fulfil all it takes on hand —that is, ploughing, discing, and harrowing all at once. Even those most guarded about giving a hasty opinion on anything of the nature of an innovation were perforce constrained 'to allow that in these times of scarcity of labour it might do more than suit an emergency and be a valuable accessory to the general stock of farm implements. In respect to the stock a't the show I shall only trespass so far as to remark that to the practical man it is very striking how several classes of stock have been improved during even the last decade, and specially so 'the Romneys. I shall not expatiate or dilate on them, but as a class they can hold their own and demand attention.

In- a previous note I called attention to the great growth of grass on 50 acres of 'the reclaimed swamps of the New River Estuary. The splendid work being done by prison labour was well exemplified in the exhibits of the various grasses grown, and a specimen of the hay in a big bundle of excellent quality showed what can be done, and what splendid prospects the reclaimed swamp- holds out for dairying, if nothing else, for_ the future requirements of a large population. It will yet prove a valuable asset for Invercargill. In striking contrast to the fine grasses and clovers was tho wi-wi, lying conspicuously in front of them, establishing the prediction literally of the wilderness being made to blossom as the rose. It also demonstrated how much proper cultivation can accomplish even under uninviting or adverso conditions. Just take the following grasses growing luxuriantly and only surface sown, with ' a crop of beautiful hay taken off a part at about one ton and a-half per acre: Italian ryegrass, meadow fescue, timothy, crested dog's tail, cocksr'oot, rough-stalked meadow grass, meadow foxtail, and perennial ryegrass. The clovers are cowgrass. alsyke, and white clover. On farms adjoining along the Bay road, being near the sea, owing to the absence of frosts the grass grows further into winter and comes earlier in spring. Where winter as well as summer dairying is carried on th« cows may have an overabundant supply, and in somo ciees tho surplus of grass is cut for hay. On a farm of. say, from 40 to 50 acres a small paddock set aside to cut for hay serves for winter feed, no turnips being piyen or required. The banking of tho reclaimed area is improving the adjoining properties, so that anyone coming along and offering £4O or £50_an aero might not be quite graciously received. Thero is now a general complaint that the ground Is rapidly getting difficult to work, and unless a fair quantity of rainfalls very soon turnips still unsown will not navo too bright a prospect of brairding freely. If wo have a good braird there is never so much to be afraid of unless tho

weather becomes exceptionally dry. We have had a few showers, but always wind following to dry up all visible effects. The crops are looking splendid, and the grass is standing it out well. There haa been some good weather for weed-killing; but the remarkably fine growing weather previously gave all kinds of weeds such a good start —especially couch, where thftro was _ much of that to deal with —that tho getting in of the 'turnips was much delayed. The swedes arc mostly all sown now, but there are large areas still to go in of common turnips on many farms —from this on to Christmas if the weather is at all favourable. There was some beautiful weather for grass-sowing, but the more recent gusty weather has retarded such operations. Taking the season all through, it has been superior even in that respect to many we have experienced, when there was no possibility some seasons, on account of winds, of sowing grass eeed excepting in the very early morning or late in the evening. , The sales all over Southland have not been so well patronised this last week or more by either vendors or buyers, and consequently a smaller number of all kinds of stock has been coming forward. The quality of the stock coming under the hammer has not fallen to any extent noticeable. Although in some cases the sales may have been slower and even duller, wellt>red and good-quality steck has held its own.