SOUTH LAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3519, 23 August 1921, Page 10

SOUTH LAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

(Fbom Our Own Correspondent.! The dtain plough, the swamp plough, and liming have done more for increased productivity in Southland than even many Southlanders have any conception of. The full benefits derived from drain ploughing, are not being obtained on account of the leading where timber was used and particularly single boards which have decayed and

fallen down, and so blocked the drainage. Where the plough drains have been let into an open ditcli, which has been kept well cleaned, they are still working fairly well alter a long lapse ot years, 'chore is considerably more plough-draining being undertaken this season than there lias been tor many years. Where parties have been draining and using tiles or pipes, generally 4in pipes, they are invariably highly satisfied with trie results. W here the subsoil at a depth of 20in and over is a clay of good subsistence, and considered the most suitable for drain ploughing, the drains may be found running as strong as when put in 3(1 or 40 years ago. I lie swamp ploughs have served a good purpose where the cultivation lias never been very deep. With a furrow, say Bin deep and 18in in width, well turned over, all surface growth such as rushes and even couch, can be well buried and form vegetable manuring. Seeds of other noxious weeds are buried beyond their growing depth, and for the time at least, are disposed of. If the subsoil is not too cold, a good crop of turnips may be grown forthwith, and the crop ot grass following is clean, with a strong close healthy’ sward, 'f ins is very much the case in swamp land, inclined to be peaty, with a subsoii of a rich almost oily' nature, which, when incorporated with the surface soil gives it more body, stands dry weather better, and gives a splendid sward of grass. Liming where the ground is dry enough and suitable is of inealcuabie value, .111 any part, and all over. In Southland sufficient limestone beds are available for all purposes, and it is surprising from the visible effects of liming, why lor surface liming, and also its ordinary agricultural uses, it is not more eargeriy and generally used. The chief agricultural products meat, wool, grain and dairy produce, with the exception of the last named are not in an encouraging position. Dairying at present is the most hopeful, with no absolute certainty of a continuance of very high prices. The uncertainty of the market in the future is not giving any inducement to consigning. Now that the buyers are moving a little more freely, and making offers, many of the directors are hesitating committing their factories and meetings of suppliers are being convened to take the responsibility off the directors, and to decide whether to close with offers being made, or “wait and see.” So far as can be made out most factories prefer selling rigiit out to consigning, and are generally being advised to that effect. Some of them ill the western district are reported to have sold at 11 9-16 d. The price is likely to rule from slightly over lid to llgd. In the grain market there is not much movement excepting in good samples for seed. There is also a little more enquiry for heavy and well dressed samples of grassseed, for spring sowing. Wheat wo may safely say is stabilised, and 110 change can take place until next season’s prospects are known. Wool prices are not encouraging, nor the prospect particularly hopeful, but there is a strong tendency to hope for the best, and to believe when things get better, the world over, and the purchasing power of the people generally gets better, the wool market also must improve. The present state of the meat market and the value of our exports of frozen meat, is the most unsatisfactory conceivable, into whose pockets it all goes the difference between what is obtained here, and the retail price in the Home market, is quite staggering. It is much discussed by those who understand matters, or believe they know, that the producers in New Zealand are being exploited and mulcted to a very serious extent, and that something must be done. The question is, what is to be done, and what can be done? Mr Massey sees no hope in opening retail shops at Home. One large firm alone, having no less than 1200 retail shops. That is the evil and the trouble too, those large firms are not satisfied with wholesale profits, but sweep the pool in all sources of profit, right along between the producer and the consumer. The former gets the lowest value conceivable, and the consumer at present is paying an exorbitant price. It is a matter that ought to be taken up by all branches of the farmers’ unions and in fact everyone, to try every conceivable means to obtain a remedy.