AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

Otago Witness, Issue 3385, 29 January 1919, Page 9

AGRICULTURAL AND PASTORAL NEWS.

A shearer resident in Mosgiel who has jusc returned irom working m the country around Clark's Junction, informs ua that mere were neavy losses among sheep as v a result of tho severe winter. Lambs are scarce. He noticed in a flock of 100 brought to him to shear, that there were only about 20 lambs. At most of the sheds there is a shortage of a few bales as compared with the quantities of last, season's wool. iit tiio annual meeting of the South African Angora Studbreeders' Association, held at Graafreinet, it was unanimously resolved to urge Parliament to remove the embargo on the export of Angora goats. Tho embargo was enforced many years ago by legislation, the niain object being to prevent America from acquiring goats. It is argued that there is now no object in maintaining the embargo, as America possesses thousands of goats, and that exchange will benefit the mohair industry. The first shipment of leather for some considerable period from Australia is just about to "be made to Great iiritain. This comprises 375 .tons.from Sydney and 270 tons from Melbourne.

Upwards of 300,000 horses were purchased during the war at the Chicago stock-yards for war service. Statistics show that less than 10 per cent, were lost en route. The death rate after they arrive is not more than 10 or 12 per cent., including those by direct fire. The United Sltates supplied over 1£ million horses, according to "Pittsburgh Despatch." Including vessels now in Australian ports, 32 steamers and four sailing vessels are listed to load wheat in the Commonwealth this month and early next month, on account of the Royal Commission on Wheat Supplies, London. The loading ports are subject to alteration, and vessels may yet be substituted for some of those named.

Report' has it that the drought is so bad in the west of New South Wales that travellers are paying 2/6 per bucket fjßor water for their horses. There is not a blade of vegetation on miles of the country and there are enormous losses of stock. The British Government war risks insurance, after dropping to 2s 6d per cent, early in December, was completely given up on 9th inst. Thus we have true freedom of the seas once again, says the Australian Meat Trades Journal.

William Damnster Hoard, ex-Governor of the State of Wisconsin and one of the most prominent figures in the history of the dairy development of the middle-west,, died recently at the age of 82. Mr Hoard was a native of New York State. He was born in Stockbridge, 10th October, 1836, an 3 in 1857 moved to Wisconsin. Four years later—in 1861 —he enlisted with the Ist New York Artillery and served until 1865 He returned to Wisconsin at the close of the war and entered the nursery business, in Columbus, that State. A few years later he became publisher of the "Jefferson County Union" at Union Lake, and from a dairy department in this publication grew his widely-known and widely-read weekly.—" Hoard's Dairyman." •':■.

Several good returns from oat crops already thrashed are reported (states the Ashburton Guardian). In the Lauriston district a crop of Algerian oats yielded 55 bushels to the aoro,. and one at Lyndhurst 50 bushels. Grass seed, in stances, is also giving a good return, a small area in the Barr Hill district returning 52 bushels .to the acre.

A buyer for one of the big companies informs the Manawatu Times that they are offering 7d per. lb for fat lambs this season, as against 7£d last season. That is to say, lambs will average 18s to 20s, instead of 20s to 225. This, in the face of the fact that the Government purchase price is the same, does not appear to bo warranted. It is suggested that the Farmers' Union should make the matter a subject for inquiry. A rather interesting steer was yarded at the New Zealand Loan and Mercantile Agency Company's yards at Kohuratahi recently (says the Stratford Post). This animal as a young steer was evidently belled by a wire around its neck—a usual practice by farmers in the bush districts — but as the steer grew the wire worked \into its neck, and eventually cut through tho windpipe. When mustered the wire and bell were removed, and the animal appeared to thrive all right, although It makes a noise if moved about at a fast pace. It is evidently anticipated by dealers that potatoes will be dear later in the year (states the Guardian). One Ashburton grower has already disposed of about three-quarters of an acre of growing crop at £3O. Whether or not there is anything in the anticipation of high prices for the tubere, it must be remembered that although planting of main crops was late in the North Island this vear, owing to unseasonable weather, a large area has nevertheless been planted. If these areas yield up to expectations thera

is -no reason to suppose that high price* will be due to a shortage in supplies. Turnip fly is very prevalent in the crop* at Greenfield, despite the cold, wet weather experienced. The fly is even found in cropf in their sixth leaf, and the settlers are facext with the only remedy possible—viz., sowing over again.

An instance of the good qualities, of. the land in Poverty Bay is supplied by the Hon. W. D. S. MacDonald's farm at Whakawhitirau, Matawhero. The property comprises 500 acres. Of this area 60 acrei are devoted to wheat, 60 acres to oats, 20 acres to maize, 25 acres to pumpkins, 20 aores to grass seed, and eight acre* to potatoes, carrots, and small vegetables. Irj addition there, are on the property 800 breeding ewes, 700 dry sheep, 50 cattle ana 30 horses.