SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3338, 6 March 1918, Page 11

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Ouk Own Cohbespondent.) Thero is very little alteration to report in tlie stock market. There are no causes apparent for a shrinkage in values, but. if anything, values have sightly receded. Any stock or exceptional merit, will command full, or even extra, prices. At the Wallace'town sals on the 19th an exceptionally high, price was secured for a specially fine line cf 30 Hereford heifers, sold by J. E. Watson and Co. on behalf of James Price, Waianawa, realising £ls per head. The same vendor also disposed of 18 of this years calves at £5 10s each. There are still a few sold, and any exceptionally good command a good figure. Parties who are removed from dairy factories, and have no facilities for sending cream 'to the creameries, go in. for rearing calves as a souree of revenue. With the aid of artificial calf food so many calves are fed per cow, assisted by an abundant supply of young grass, and it is surprising what some are able to accomplish. One enterprising seller, distant from Invercargill, his centre of operations, as far as ,it is possible to be, bought his calve 3 at the Invercargill Saleyards from £l*-to £1 10s each, and sold them the following spring at an average of £6 10s. Ho bought good calves, and sold them as yearlings that had been well done, to, never having lost their calf-flesh. Would it be possible or advisable for agricultural societies in conjunction with the Agricultural Department to give a premium as an incentive or encouragement to anyone in a district paying special attention to the proper, raising of young stock? In a well-known Southland district may be seen a few calves running chiefly on 'the road-lines, specimens of tho most miserably and wretchedly ill-fed caiyea one could see, and, as a contrast, in a paddock surrounded by the same road-lines, a specimen of the finest, healthiest-looking calves,, with a sleeky, well-fed appearance pleasant to look upon. Many have been doing well with cattle of late, and the extra demand for all sorts has induced others to go in more largely for cattle-raising and fattening. It is not likely thero will be any change of conditions, to lessen the demand for fats, and it may continue long enough to save the situation. In Southland improved methods of cultivation, along with liming and extra manuring, have no doubt largely increased the carrying capacity), there being no evident diminution of the flocks of sheep. Prior to cattle being'in. such keen demand and making unprecedentedly high pripes, one party, who bought considerably over 100 head of stores 18 months or so ago at about £6, sold twothirds of them as forward stores, after wintering them, at £ls each. This' may have been an exceptional case; but at a certain time, when the demand was keen and prices steadily going up, there wero some who did well. Horticultural and autumn shows are at present the order of the day in 'the various districts throughout Southland. ■ The Otautau Show was a pronounced success with over 500 entries, comprising flowers, fruits, vegetables, preserves, baking, needlework, art, pets, and sehoolwork. There were several noteworthy features, and the number and variety and the excellence of the exhibits showed the great advance, the district has made in less than a quarter of a century. It was also an _ evidence of the richness of. the district, and also the patriotic and pubiicspiritedness and liberality of the- people 'that the whole of the produce was donated by exhibitors for sale for patriotic, purposes. Instead of holding the annual Agricultural and Pastoral Show, a patriotio demonstration was held, when over £ISOO was raised for patriotic purposes. I am pleased to have to report that splendid harvest weather still prevails. The grain should be saved in perfect condition. The heavy rain, which had the effect of laying heavy patches of crop, caused some 'trouble, in cutting; but, generally, the crops have not been difficult to handle. In one district, whera the labour trouble was very acute, only about one-third of the crop was grown—that is to say, those who in ordinary times would have hacl 60 to 80 acres or more in oats probably had_ not more' than from 15 to 25 acres. I have

Wrd of a few w b.o had 18. or 20 acres Instead of 50 or 60 aores, expecting a yield about 50 per cent, better than in some previous years, which will so far compensate for the lesser area in crop. This- has been a season in which Southland might have grown wheat and barley without fear of failure In any direction. The grass seed harvest, having, been protracted, the thrashing of oats from the stoolc is being carried on almost 'simultaneously. It is absolutely necessary to misa no chance owing to the labour supply, •especially on many mills, where considerable numbers under military age are being employed. It is reported that some mills are being seriously hampered from the want of sufficient labour. Also that, some mills have not got out owing to the want of hands to give them a start. I think that state of affairs is probably somewhat an exaggeration.