AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3339, 13 March 1918, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

A suggestion from the Wairoa branch ' of the Farmers' Union, that the Imperial Government be approached! in reference to exporting horse flesh from New Zealand, occupied the attention of the Farmers' ! Union for a while on Saturday (says the Manawatu Times). Mr Vile said they could export 30,000 horses for consumption at Home and use the grazing for fattening stock. Mr Winga-te said it was, not commonly known that horse flesh would not freeze, but it could be tinned. In England and America shops for retailing horso flesh had been opened, and they had long existed in France. Mr Vile further suggested that the export of large numbers of horses would improvo the- breed of

horses and assist breeders. It was decided to endorse the resolution. j At a meeting of the Otago A. and P. I Society, held on the 28th uit. it was resolved that kindred A. and P. Associations in New Zealand be circularised, asking their co-operation and support in urging the Government to endeavour to ensure that sufficient wheat is grown in New Zealand to meet the requirements of the Dominion. The grain crops and pastures in Redan Valley, near Wyndham, are reported by the Farmer to be. unusually fine this season. Mr Henry M'Bride harvested six round stacks and one square one from 16 aores, computed to give 1400 bags of chaff. The field was treated to lime at the rate of half a ton to the acre three years ago. The Wyndham Herald states that most of the business men of Edendale turned out to assist in the harvest field—butchers, bakers, saddler, and commercial men. The bulk of the grain is being thrashed from the etook. Tne small crops of wheat put in by farmers have turned out well, some being estimated to yield from 50 to 70 bushels to the acre. The grain in such a season as the present may acquire sufficient hardness to make it fit for milling; but even as fowl wheat it will pay as well as oats. Among those who have small crops of wheat arc Mrs Cranstoun, Messrs John Morris, sen., D. Tither, and A. Cranstoun. The Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, has notified the member for Wakatipu that an arrangement has been made -similar to that made with the Clutha f armers—namely, that there will be no prosecutions this season for failing to cut Californian thistles on_ farmers giving a guarantee in writing to the local fields inspector that reasonable efforts will be made to cut the thistles. Any other district may enter into a similar agreement. The Plon. Mr MacDonald, Minister of Agriculture, explained to a deputation from Canterbury poultry-keepers the position with regard to wheat. The Minister said ample fowl wheat would be available, and he did not wish to issue regulations to deal with exorbitant prices unless that became absolutely necessary. Every farmer first must offer his wheat to the Government. -Jf it was rejected as milling wheat, and if the farmer was satisfied with the rejection, the wheat then -became free wheat, and the farmer could sell_?it» without a certificate at any price that did not exceed the equivalent of 5s 8d f.o.b. at Lyfctelton. All wheat-growers had been registered. Some day he would call on each to show what he had done" with his wheat. In addition, thrashing-mill owners, under penalties, had to supply, month by month, the names of men whose wheat they thrashed and the quantity thrashed for each. The department, therefore, knew exactly what Wheatgrowers did with their wheat. In reply to a query the Minister repeated that if he had evidence that a farmer sold for more than the regulation prioe he certainly would prosecute. It is announced in the Gazette that, owing the late harvest in Canterbury and the in supplying requirements for the local, markets, the importation of fowl wheat will be permitted during this month. On application to the Controller of Customs, permits will be_ granted-to bring the wheat from Australia, provided that all shipments are free from weevil and.- are shipped on or before March 31. ' The Butter Advisory Committee of Victoria has issued instructions to .butter factories, owing to the decreased* production of first-grade butter, that until further notice no butter grading 91 points or over is to be packed unsalted. At the meeting of the Central "Council of the Victorian Farmers' Union on February 21, the proposal of the Federal Government to fix prices on meat for local consumption was adversely criticised. A motion moved by Mr B. Cummins (Long--wood), and seconded by Mr W. G. Gibson (Lismoro), was agreed to unanimously, expressing concern at the intention of the Federal Government, _ repudiating the principle, and declaring that, in the event of the proposed policy being effected, the organisation warned the Government that owners of stock generally would be reluctantly compelled to' refrain from sending stock to market until such time as the market was again made open and free of restrictions. At. a meeting of ute Gcelong Woolbrokers' Association on February 21, it was decided to enter an emphatic protest against the proposal to fix the price of meat. The following telegram was sent to Mr Hughes on February 21 by a meeting of graziers and dairymen after consulting with Mr Rodgers. M.H.R. : "Strongly urge Government withhold proclamation fixing price of meat until producers afforded opportunity state case. Entire industry against policy fixation. Concerted action being taken by growers, not only price, but application machinery fixation to industry. Cheap meat depends upon plentiful supply result good seasons, plus increased production. Growers exerting every effort build up flocks, herds." There is apparently dearth of farm managers in the Wairp apa, A settler who recently advertised for a manager received no fewer than 40 applications for the position. A remarkable exhibit of potatoes was displayed in a Napier store, having been errown by Mi- Syd. Jones, of Patutahi. Eleven large tubers were obtained off two roots, and turned the scale at 211 b. The potatoes were grown from seed purchased at a local auction mart, but the name of the variety is not definitely known. A feature of the present year's grass seed trade has been the altered position of

Italian and perennial grass (according to the Otautau Standard). The former has for several years been in active demand, and has commanded exceptional prices; this year there is a wide margin in favour of perennial seed, Italian being in compara*. tively poor demand. Mr E. O'Sullivan, of Cardiff, Taranaki, h& received word that his cow (Sultan'o Daisy, by Campanile Sultan, imp., out of Genoa Daisy) has been awarded a gold medal by the New Zealand Jersey Breeders' Association for the best Jersey "cow in New Zealand. This cow produced 667.211 bof butter-fat in 12 months. The tests were carried out by the Department of Agriculture. - . An experimental area of maize at Kumara has grown to a height of 10ft. The growth, has been most prolific, and the corn has ripened very satisfactorily, another evidence; of the fertility of the West Coast soils and a good season for ceroais. It is reported that the West Australian Government's loss on the purchase of cattle/ last season in the north-west will amount to £30,000. In the previous season the Government made a substantial profit on its cattle purchases, but the market slumped this year, through over-supply', combined with the impossibility of securing freight to ship the cattle to the eastern States.