SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3470, 14 September 1920, Page 9

SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(From Oub Own Correspondent.)

The growth of grass in Southland pro* niises well and in earlier districts the 6ut« look ia fairly good. With favour ableweather from this onward, or for at leask a couple of months, tilings will liven up considerably. The frosts recently have r|* tarded growth and kept the ground but there has not been much to complain of. This season presents quite a, contrast to last, both in respect to feed and the condition of all classes of stock. The losses ini both sheep and cattle last yea* ward

severe, perhaps more so in dairy cows than in any other, class. This year many have quite sufficient turnips, and some more than they can eat off. Last year at this time and earlier there was a shortage of feed in ail directions, and turnips could not be had at all. ■

Thero is certainly this season a much greater amount of cultivation; probably more than there has been for many years. Those who are in a position to know, positively affirm this is so, and also declare that a much larger area is going into crop than has been the case for many years. There, is also a much larger area under v. heat than was ever expected. The weather conditions have been quite favourable, and the keen demand for good seed oats, which still continues, indicates that the area under crop must bo considerably greater than it has. been for some years. There has also been more autumn and winter sown grain. .The weather and the soil, being favourable, 1 was conducive to this, but a belief that the high price might possibly continue until next season's crop \.ould be coming in was also an inducement. Those crops are looking remarkably well, and having tillened out well look, if anything, thick in the ground. That may be an_ advantage, both in harvesting and thrashing.,' although autumn and winter sown crops never do- yield so well to appearance.

The stock market, which got so much brighter with better prospects for feed, seemed to apparently stagnate, but this has only been temporary. The prices at the Winton sale showed an all round improvement, and if the same follows at Otautau, it will show that the tone of the market largely depends on the feed coming well away, and all classes of stock will soon be in keen demand. For prime beef the demand has always kept, and still keeps, good. Half-finished, or not prime, declined about £3 a head. Attention is being called to the action of several dairy factory companies, who, although they had taken out the full amount of shares in the New Zealand Producers' Company according to the quantity of butter-fat, and had consigned through the Co-operative Wholesale Stores, are, it is said, notwithstanding all thai, disposing of their output to the highest bidder at a higher figure than can otherwise be obtained. It may not do to pass judgment hastily without knowing the true position, and it may be as well to awai» t developments. Since the factories have all disposed of tbedr cheese satisfactorily for next season, not only W the demand for powß gone up as a natural refcult, bub many of the factories

are quite sanguine about next year's operations, and are assured of a vastly increased supply. Some of them fear they will not be able to cope with it unless they extend their working plant. The larger factories who can dispose of their whey by buttermaking have done very well. The Wyndham factory can by this means meet its interest and insurance charges.

At the annual meeting of the Winton A. and P. Association,, it was resolved to again hold the winter show next season as the last one had been so highly successful. A. very general and liberal response has been made to the appeal for special prizes for the summer show. The number and value of them promised is a record over any previous year. There is not much being mentioned about tractors coming into demand or being sold, but although not being pushed on the market, there is always some coming into use. It may be that the high price of material may bo against them, as is th,e case with milking machines, or many to whom

they would be a great benefit cannot get them installed. On large holdings it will be a labour-saving implement. It will also relieve the farm of a good deal of drudgery. It can be left in the field at meal times, and when the day's work is done gives no further trouble.