PARORANGI ROMNEYS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3383, 15 January 1919, Page 10

PARORANGI ROMNEYS.

An advertisement of special importance appeal's in this issue setting' forth particulars of tho first annual salo of stud and flock Romney Marsh sheep, to be held at tho Manawatu A. and P. Show Grounds, Palmerston North, on Tuesday, the 21st January, on account of tho well-known breeder, Mr Ernest Short, Parorangi, Feild-

ing. The offering comprises 50 stud rams, 150 four-tooth stud ewes, and 500 two-tooth flock rams, all of which will be offered and sold in lots to suit purchasers. ' Parorangi Romneys are- world-wide and favourably known, and the above fixture offers a splendid opportunity for breeders and graziers to obtain sheep showing in every respect tho highest type of the breed. Tho sale, which will be conducted by Dalgety and Co. (Ltd.), in conjunction with Murray, Roberts, and Co. (Ltd.), will commence at 10.50 o'clock, and luncheon will bo obtainable on the grounds.

AUSTRALIAN WHEAT YIELDS. Tho New South Wales Government Statistician in his preliminary forecast of the wheat yield of that State states: "Of the total area sown (3.215,030 acres) it is estimated that 262,430 acres have failed en-

tirely and 240,450 acres have been fed-off in order to secure some return. Of the 2,811,870 acres intended originally for grain, therefore, more than half a million acres have either failed entirely or have been eaten off by stock. Earlier in the year it was anticipated that about 383,530 acres would be reaped for hay, but as the dry weather continued, the farmers evidently considered it advisable to utilise a much. larger area for this purpose. Hay values have ruled high, and the results have justified their decision to cj.it a larger area for hay instead of reserving it for grain. Whilst the general average is low, and many of the •• crops have failed almost entirely, the detailed reports indicate that some remarkably good yields have been obtained from fallowed land." The total yield is estimated at 18,048,000 bushels, ov an average of 7.74 bushels to the acre. The yield is the lowest, with once exception, since tho 1909-10 harvest. The stocks of wheat already awaiting shipment will not be augmented by , more than 4,000,000 bushels at most as the result of the current season's operations. •' " The Adelaide Register has issued its forecast of tho wheat yield of South Australia forthe present season. From data obtained it is estimated that of the total area' under crops (2,558,427 acres, against 2,665,497 acres for the preceding season) at least 30,000 acres have failed totally or have been fed off on account of being too short, either in bind or strip. Of the balance it appears hkalv that -2,226,427 acres will be traversed by the harvesters and strippers, and return 20,438,599 bushels, or 9.18 bushels to the acre, against 28,692,534 and 12.18 bushels respectively last season. Owing to tho shortage of stocks, etc., and the- demand promised from New South Wales, the area cut for hay will be larger, and at 1.03 tons to tho acre, the area reserved for this purpose (approximately 302,000 acres) should yield 311,050 tons, compared with 354,000 tons for 1917-18.