SOUTHLAND AGRICULTURAL NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3524, 27 September 1921, Page 10

SOUTHLAND AGRICULT URAL NOTES.

'From Odr Own Correspondent.; Neither periodical nor local stock sales aie in any way encouraging. Though there was a large attendance at the Wa.lacetown *aie on the 20t a inst., there seemed to bo a great nuinner of onlookers deeply interested in the progress of the sale, whilst buyers seemed to bo altogether lacking there was not a single entry of store sheep’ which was somuimg altogether uiipieeedenved. Store cattle, though not in exces. sive supply, were very much neglected uruc-ss ot exceptionally good quality. Although the general quality of the "yarding was good, some were passed in at several pounds less than had been offered at previous sales. The very large entry of fat sheep may to some extent be accounted for from a general desire to get quit of anytlung fat now that the winter teed is finished, and make room for stock that must he kept on, and kept going. The sale for itu sneep opened lower than usual, and seemed to recede as the sale advanced, at i m .r, TO , ss , than at the previous sale. The bidding- was fairly spirited for dairy cows and some nice-looking animals met with a ready sale. At local or clearing sales, though not so keenly competed for as last season, big prices were obtained for apparently reliable animals. It is so in some cases, and up to and considerably o\er, £co, with bidding starting’ many pouims w-iow tihe figure at wnich "they are Knocked down. Whilst there is a considerable difference ot opinion amongst tile Southland dairy factory_ directors as to the best method of disposal of cheese, some dairy factories sold when offered il 9-16 d (which is scarcely now CD-tamable in London), and others held o:it, having now no oilier recourse but to consign. Jr. the present uncertainty of the ilome market buyers deem it advisable to hold off, and no sales are taking place. As soiuo of those factories might have done better last year if they had sold their output right out, and not having sold this year either, when they could have done so, tins is creating dissatisfaction, in at least somo instances, amongst tlhe suppliers, i-liose factories in which the directors called a meeting of suppliers in most cases 1 trunk, almost without exception, sold Again, there are cases in which too much wa-s left by the directors to the chairman and secretary, and the suppliers are up m arms, arid complaining of their interests not being properly attended to. They will be the sufferers, and not those in whose hands the disposal of the cheese was left, ii, however, consigning should turn out all tight no one will get, nor can claim, the credit of having done well.

The feeling of depression and anxiety about tho future stems to bo strongest amongst those depending chiefly upon wool. Ihere is, however, an increasing hopefulness ajid a prediction of an improvement ere long. There is one factor which many overlook, or do not take into account, and that is the cotton supply, taken in oonnecRon with the fashions that may prevail. I' l ©, greater demand for merino'and finer wools may indicate that lighter fabrics may bo- in greater demand than heavy material, but, all the same, if both general consumption increase and all industries improve tho wool market, which is showing signs of animation, will also move un a little in sympathy. If ail the wool'held by tho Imperial Government had been used up, the position might even now hate been much better. Some agricultural dntriets depending upon varying circumstances come into pr<> mi lienee more than others, and not infrequently much depends upon conditions which to some extent account for it. This has been most strikingly the case with Morton Mains. When held by the New Zealand and Australian Land Company, l>y the use of the steam plough it was ploughed at a great depth, and a cold, stiff subsoil brought to the surface, resulting in light crops and stunted vegetation generally. Latterly, wil en surveyed into suitable farming areas and disposed of to enterprising agriculturists, with the drain plough and liming, the transformation was verv striking. and Morton Mains is now a busy agricultural centre. For some years back considerable quantities of grain have been grown, splendid crops of turnips, and good pasturage. Last year one farmer alone disposed of 2000 sacks of wheat, and carted on to his property 800 tons of lime. Some of the farmers, not sure of the wheatgrowing capabilities of the soil, are experimenting with 10 to 15 acres. Others, again, having every confidence in soil, climai and productiveness, are taking advantage of tho Government's guaranteed price, and putting in from 50 to 60, and up to several hundred. acres in wheat. The local dairy factory has gone ahead and been a great boon to the district. A record supply is expected during the coming season, and as the milk cheques of previous years proved so helpful

to pulling many through, most of the herds will this year be increased, and a considerable number of milking plants are being installed.