SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3415, 29 August 1919, Page 11

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Ouh Own Corukspondent.) A circular from the secretary of the New Zealand Automobile Union, Wellington, has been forwarded to County Councils urging them to see- that local bodies have power to order the trimming or lowerir.jr or removal of fences, hedges, on corner roads, and all such like, which are calculated to cause accidents on highways, with a right of ap peal to a magistrate reserved to the owner. County councils have all those powers, but never use them unless some individual councillor may have personal trouble. A Ion;? lino of on the northern side of a roadlice in the Wallace County was some time ago, by shading from the sun and drvino- winds, keeping a roadline in a very bad state, and making traffic difficult and disagreeable. After a considerable amount of complaining the trees had. to be topped or cut down, and the roadhne saved. Traffic was then made pleasanter, and itwas quite possible thereafter to keep the roadline in good order. On the level roads in Southland it has often been mooted that the counties could find ways and means to have the soft sides of roadlincs made fit for at least light traffic, and so for a considerable period of the year divert traffic from the gravelled part of the roadlines, and thus save surfacing- and upkeep. The extension of culverts across the whole roadlino would be the chief item of expense. As landowners have to obtain the consent of the council to plough opposite their properties tot keep down gorse, a special arrangement could easily be made to have the ground dealt with so as to be made suitable for traffic. If it be, as .reported, that Mr Alexander, of the Agricultural Department, has been appointed Fields Inspector for Southland, it is to be hoped it will be an untold blessing for the district. Addressing the farmers of Southland through the' Farmers' Union, he clearly indicated what the requirements of Southland were, and what course of action and ftyle of farming, having refer-

ence to liming, manuring, soil analysing, feeding, and grazing, etc., are essential to the development, progress, and uitimato prosperity ( of this part of the Dominion. If his advice .were taken upon the better provision tor winter teedmg and sneiter, on that alono it might be invaluable. * It should no longer be necessary __ for either dairy cows or store entile to'crowd for siielter behind an old dilapidated building, or, as is sometimes the case, Having nothing but-what a plain or barb-wired lence may afford. Mr Alexander also believes in a model farm, which even though it might not directly pay financially, it was possible, any such deficiency was compensated in tha knowledge obtained by those whom it wad intended to assist. * At the last meeting of the executive' of the Southland A., and P. Society Mr W. B. Cunningham made a rather novel offer of £3 3s, to be given to the competitor in tho Shorthorn cattle judging who, in tha opinion of the judge, placed the animala most correctly on his caijd. Tho offer was accepted, and will in all likelihood be given effect to. ' It is a very good sign of the state of tho market, and indicating hope in the future, to observe that, while so many clearing sales are being held, and sometimes undej unfavourable weather conditions, tho bidding is often spirited and keen, and everything satisfactorily disposed of. That, too, taken ■ into account with the monthly salea being fully supplied, and certain classes of stock bring good prices is encouraging. There is, meantime, undoubtedly an upward tendency with hope of improvement. While store cattle are slowest and most difficult ta dispose of to the satisfaction of vendors, very-well-bred and well-conditioned cattlo are easily saleable. It could scarcely have been credited _ at one time that so many returned soldiers would be going into farming, as is the case at present. I think it may be taken for granted that all who wish to see returned soldiers settled on the land with prospects of success will be pleased to notice how comprehensive and complete are the group settlement proposals of the R.S.A. scheme, as set out and placed before the Minister of Lands. It is'tb bo hoped that,, by providing the returned men with land, they will by their labours largely increase our, prpducts, reap the benefit of it themselves* and enrich the Dominion. The clause bear* ing upon instruction in farming, if efficiently given effect to and properly taken advantage of, will be an invaluable help to many. The whole programme is worthy of the highest commendation. Space and time forbid me reviewing mean, time the very interesting report of the Southland A. and P. Society, but cannot} refrain from calling attention to a most interesting item—viz., the Bull Fair, to be held on October 8, the same date-, as the horse parade. It is to be hoped it will ba largely patronised, and if breeders consider even their own interests the result should be the beginning of an improvement in the stud cattle market bf Southland.