DAIRY PRODUCE

Otago Witness, Issue 3522, 13 September 1921, Page 9

DAIRY PRODUCE

THE SEASON’S PROSPECTS. ATTEMPTS TO “BEAR” THE MARKET. (From Our Own Correspondent.) Al CKLANi), September 6. At a meeting of the East Tamaki Dairy farmers the prospects for this season’s dairy produce were referred to by Mr A. J. Sinclair, assistant manager of New Zealand Co-operative Dairy Company, Ltd. lie said influences were at work on the Home market in connection with cheese, which it was a little difficult to explain at the moment, but it should he remembered that efforts were frequently made at this time of the year to '‘bear” the market. Practically no forward sales were being Made this season, buyers having been severely hit by the experience of "last year. Any small sales that had taken place were mostly to fulfil ordeis, and were not of a speculative nature. All indications pointed to a very satisfactory price for consigned cheese, and 17 of the company’s cheese factories which had been separating milk during August for butter-making purposes, commenced the manufacture of cheese on September 1. Mr Sinclair stated that the decision of ihe Imperial Government to reduce the price of New Zealand butter would have a very beneficial effect on the company’s season’s butter output in New Zealand The Imperial Government, had still between 20,000 and 30,000 tons of butter in store, and obviously they recognised that this would have a poor chance against the fresh season’s make, which would arrive in England from November onwards. Indications pointed to this season’s butter realising somewhere about 2s Id f.0.b., and in view of the decreased cost of production on the farm this season, as compared with, the last, this must be considered a very satisfactory price. At the moment is was impossible to state whether cheese or butter would be tile better proposition this year. NURSERYMEN’S ASSOCIATION MEETING OF OTAGO COUNCIL. A meeting of the Otago Council of the New Zealand Association of Nurserymen was held on Saturday evening. Mr H. Christie occupied the chair, and warmly welcomed the two guests of the evening— Mr Tannock (Superintendent of Reserves) and Mr A. Green (national organiser). After routine business, Mr Tannock gave a most inteiesting account of his impressions of the changes and improvements to he seen in England. France, and Belgium since his last visit to Europe. There is to-day a great tendency to do away with so much indoor plant life and substitute hardy outdoor plants, while the annual budding plants are in turn largely giving place to new and choice types of hardy herbacioua and other perennials. Mr Tannock spoke of the popularity of the English horticultural shows and of the great share taken by the nursery men in making them such a success. He suggested that in New Zealand there should be closer co-operation between the horticultural societies and nurserymen, by which the shows would be made brighter and more popular. Mr Tannock also briefly dealt with the large variety of new Rhododendrons which are being introduced to commerce, some quite hardy and most suitable to New Zealand soil and climatic conditions. From his observations there is in New Zealand a big field for the work of the hybridiser, whose products will find an ever ready market in the Old Land for any lines of proved merit or distinct character. He was accorded a vote of thanks on the motion of the chairman. Mr Green was then called on to give an address dealing in the main with the trade of the past season, which he described as satisfactory when compared with recent years. There were many points where it was in the power of the association to work for specialisation, certain nurseries developing along- the lines that their soil, climate, am! local eonditk.-is indicated best, and leaving other lines to ho produced in other centres. With improved road, rail, and steamer communication this had become possible. It was already being realised within certain limits, but could be extended with advantage to the nurserymen and the planters in many ways. Mr Green stated that the best of good feeling now existed between the nurserymen’s anti the fruitgrowers organisers and organisations, and that a conference was being held at the invitation of the fruitgrowers in October, with a view to discussing the needs of the orchards as to varieties and quantities so that the nurserymen might be placed in a position to grow just wliat was needed for the trade. In rapid succession Mr Green dealt with labour matters in relation to the trade, the embargo, and other matters, and concluded with a graphic description of the bud selection movement, and what it l ad already succeeded m producing in dollars and cents for California. Professor A. D. Shamel was quoted as being intereeled in the efforts of the New Zealand Bud Selection Commit-

tee to get an association formed in New Zealand, and offering the committee his ad vice and assistance. Mr Green expressed the opinion that when bud selection was once understood and put in practice in Otago it would add tons of thousands of pounds annually to the returns from the orchards of this province. At the conclusion of his address Mr Green answered a number of questions, and votes of thanks to Mr ( Jreen and the chairman brought an interesting gathering to a close.