FARM AND STATION.

Otago Witness, Issue 3609, 15 May 1923, Page 10

FARM AND STATION.

SHCm DATES. 1923. JUNE. 5,6, 7, 8. —Otago A. and P. Winter Show. 19, 20, 21, 22. —National Dairy Show, Palmerston North. Secretaries of A. and P. Societies are requested to notify the dates of their shows as soon as these axe decided on. These are published free of charge.

GRASSES WORTH KNOWING.

The grazing capacity of land will in many instances determine its value to the settler. Good grazing land perhaps pays better than other classes of country, provided it is not held at too high .a rental. The returns per acre from stock are more likely to be more satisfactory than from farm lands where there is little if any fertilising of crops. We cannot expect to market produce up to the average per acre unless the constituents taken off the land and sold (in the form of grain, dairy or wool and meat products) are returned to trie soil. The first essential towards a first, class crop (no matter what it is) is first-class seed. It must be of a good strain if persistency is required. Ihe seed must be pure—that is, free from weed seeds. Then good germination is essential, while the origin of the seed should always be determined. Of recent years considerable, advance in tho formation of pasteies would seem to have been made. Anyway, we acclaim the discovery of the advantages of, say, wild white clover, and there is also the discovery of a wild red clover. These two are enough to revolutionise seed mixtures, ns what graziers require on their holdings are plants with nutritive palatable leaves at the ground, and the habit of growing on as distinguished from mere flowering stems. The most, desirable plants comprising pasture should exhibit characteristics somewhat as follows: High production, superlative tillering power, covering the soil with a profusion of broad blades, a low production of culms to foliage, highly palatable and nutritious to all stock, a long period of growth, and not simply available or at its best during the fine grazing months of October and November, and a,iso the most suitable for growing in conjunction with wild white clover. In the opinion of Mr John Gibb, Gladstone Farm, Bishopton. Scotland, as expressed in a lecture and reported in the North British Agriculturist, the grass fulfilling the requirements outlined above is undoubtedly cocksfoot., It was the premier grazing grass, because it grows all the year round unless in severe frost. Its roots seem to feed quickly from the nitrogen exuded from the nodules of the roots of the wild white clover, and the blades assume a glossier, greener hue, and are cropped greedily and relished by the grazing stock. Where a grazing is destitute of wild white clover the cocksfoot seems a different plant; its blades have a sere and coarse yellow appearance, and the stock leave it and eat the bottom grasses; and then the cocksfoot, develops into rough clumps. Cocksfoot being a top grass, with a deep, spreading root, is a good tiller of the soil. In a field foul with couch, by sowing cocksfoot in less than two years he had succeeded in entirely eradicating this weed. Tall fescue he put second as a pasture grass. and found it combine well with wild white clover. Timothy was found to give a goed account of itself in pastures. Meadow foxtail, although a good permanent grass, was not greatly favoured owing to its stolon roots resisting and keeping down the wild white clover, and was on that account somewhat discredited. The best bottom grasses for pastures were, he declared, the meadow grasses or poas. The roughstalked poa was spoken of highly, but smooth-stalked meadow grass, known as the famous Kentucky blue grab's, bad proved more productive on upland exposed pastures. The poas produced a close sward of fine leaves, which fill in the interstices between the top grasses and the wild clover, and make the texture of the pasture compact. They perform this function better than crested dogstail, and they have more leaves than culms, whereas the dogstail seems at times all stalk together. For grazing (no cutting for hay) he recommended the following modification of the Clifton Park mixture: —81b Italian, 81b cocksfoot, 51b tall fescue, 41b meadow fescue, 41b Timothy, lib roughstalked poa, lib smooth-stalked poa, lib late-flowering red, lib al&ike, lib wild red, lib ordinary white, lib wild white, and 21b chicory—3Blb of seeds per acre. For those growers who wish to use perennial, they may reduce the quantity of Italian in the first three prescriptions t,o onehalf, and substitute therefor the deducted weights in perennial, but he did not recommend this unless they could procure a much better class of perennial than the common sort. In the last prescription a good class of perennial may be sown up to Sib, taking away half of the Italian and all the meadow fescue to make the mixture cheaper, as it has been found in recent years that perennial in conjunction with wild white clover is almost as productive as meadow fescue, and when grazed with cattle alone almost as lasting. All of which emphasises how important it is that the agriculturist and the pastoralist should do some thinking when selecting his seed mixture. The “soupings” of the loft to seed a field are not good enough nowadays. A Kinross-shire man, writing to the NoPth British Agriculturist, recounts how one farmer he knew considered the make up of his grass seed order at the seed store:

Fanner: Laddie, I want a pickle gress seeds. Boy: How much do you want? Farmer: It’s for yon park ctooo by the side o’ the big boose; ye ken it fine. Boy (who has perhaps only seen the park at a distance: liow many acres? Farmer (somewhat astonished): It’s for yon yin wee I to the wast. Boy: Yes; but what do you think the acreage will be? I aimer (after some hesitation): AYe’il just ca-'t ten. Boy: V hat kind of grass seeds do you wish ? Farmer: Muckle the same as last vear ; but see there’s plenty alsike. Boy (after making up the prescription): Will this do? Farmer: That will dae fine, but gie’tplenty alsike. There’s nothing like alsike. We do not wish our readers to infer tuat this farmer bits followers in the Dominion or that “some” consideration is not given to the seed mixture, bat submit tha-t oar pastures are not on the whole treated fairly, and do not graze so well as formerly, owing to inadequate seed mixtures in many instances and subsequent treatment of pasture. No doubt the finest method of pasture treatment with stock would be to subdivide the paddocks and change the stock frequently —a week with cattle alone, and then, say, the following week with shee.p a-lone, then spell for a week, and repeat till the end of the growing season, thus ensuring clean pasture arid thriving stock. Towards the end of the season it is reasonable enough to consider whether those grazing areas are not entitled to fertilising of some sort. QUALITY AND CHARACTER OF WOOL. Wool-growers appear to be in a happy position in regard to the future demand tor wool; but it is no less necessary for breeders to keep in touch with the manufacturer s requirements. The public are fickle. To-day fine wools are all the ru fi> c > to-morrow it may be crossbred; but while there is a world shortage of wool all qualities are required and readily go into consumption. If the buying elements throughout the world are as good as at present, when our sheep numbers have overtaken the demand, prices may keep up for a tune; but if the people of the world are “hard un” we may be sure of a general decline in wool \auies. It is necessary, then, in view of normal values ruling in the dim future, to rnaintain the character and quality of our wool. These two terms “character" ar.d ‘quality" are otfen confused, being closely allied. Quality embraces character and has a wider meaning. According to a South African expert dealing with fine wool : “There are four outstanding properties of wool which are indicative of character: (1) When it shows distinct features of its breed or type. (2) When there is definite staple formation, it should be solid, compact, cylindrical, even and true in regard to its'formation from base to tip. There should be plenty of substance, body, or bone in the staple; also freedom of growth—absence of cross fibres. Ilie staple should also stand at riMit angles to the skin. (3) The crimp must be even, true, and regular from the base to tip, and, above all, well defined. (4) Colour, too, has its effect in showing character, for wool possessing good ’ colour shows up character to greater advantage, thus making the wool appear to the eye as if possessing life. For quality good wool must have all its characteristic wool properties well or highly developedcharacter, soundness, evenness, elasticity pliability, colour, softness, silkiness’ crimpy structure, freedom of growth’ density of fibre, body, draught, length of staple, and fineness for its breed or type. Vv ' o( fl i s said to be lacking in quality when any of these properties are deficient. I here arc many contentions regarding character &nd quality in wool. Some maintain that a wool can have neither quality nor character without having a high spinning capacity. In other words, only fine wools can have quality and character. This is entirely incorrect. It can however, be put as follows :—A wool showing good quality and character ha* a higher spinning capacity than is usually obtained from wool of that particular degree of fineness and length, which means that there is something more besides mere and absolute ‘ fineness ’ in either character or quality. Others again contend that any wool showing good, distinct, or wellaefined crimpy structure possesses character. This, _ too, is incorrect. When the term quality is used by a, wool-buyer, or manufacturer, spinning quality is interred, and in this sense refers chiefly to fineness,’ as it is fineness more than anything else that determines the spinning quality of a wool. But we must not lose sight of the fact that a wool may be over-fine, tending to be effeminately weak and delicate. There is no doubt that a-ny type of wool can possess the above features, whether the wool be fine, medium, or strong, irrespective of thickness or diameter, of fibre. It is of prime importance to supply the manufacturer, by whom we are guided to a-n extent in our breeding operations, w’ith what he requires, so that the finished fabric may he of the desired standard and in this respect character and quality should be the aim and object of every sheepman concerned, no matter whether his country can only pasture crossbreds and long wool sheep and breed lambs for others perhaps to fatten for export.” Textiles to-day are in the limelight, and wool fabrics, providing war-created wealth is not soon exhausted, appear to be in demand. As Sir Arthur Goldfinch (Diresctor of Raw Materials for the War Office) says, “The known facts regarding wool point to a persistence of consumption in excess of production for at least the next two

years. Each year the popularity of woollen clothing is increasing amongst people who have hitherto relied mainly on cotton goods. This applies particularly to the Far East.” NOTES ON RURAL TOPICS.

Sheep Dipping to perfection.

The question of quality in sheep dipping

mixtures concerns sneep owners, but it seems a thorny subject—too bristly a matter for the New Zea-

land Department oi Agriculture to handle, apparently. JSot only may a mixture fail to be effective as a vermin destroyer, hut it may harm the wool by discolouration, so at least sheep owners in the north aver. A veterinarian —by name G. V. Siinn, M.R.O.Y.S. —in a Home Journal of Agriculture, deals with the eradication of sheep scab. It certainly proved drastic treatment, and if dipping generally in Now Zealand was half so well carried out there would soon be an end'to all vermin-affected sheep. The writer deals with tne sheep stocks, numbering about 13,000, on the TreceUy Range, an area between six and eight miles long and about three miles broad in the north of Pembrokeshire. In 1910 sheep scab was very prevalent, 52 cases having been confirmed, and in 1911 the Ministry made an order for the double dipping ot all sheep on the Precelly area. To carry it out successfully the county council sanctioned the erection of six public dipping baths on the range, and during that year the baths and dipping pens were erected at a cost of £126, while in 1918 the receiving pens were laid with concrete at a cost to the county of £320. In 1911 the country supplied the sheep dip, and all sheep on the range were dipped iree of charge, but from 1915 the farmers have supplied their own dip, W'hile the county authority still keep the baths and pens in repair. In 1914 the number of sheep scab cases were reduced to three, and since 1915, in the absence of scab, a single dipping only has been carried out. What, however, has contributed to this beneficent result is a vigilance of the local authority, which emphasises its idea of the importance of the sheep industry. I’rior to the dipping, tw’o police officers examine the barns at each centre, and accompany the farmers to collect the sheep. The whole of the range is thus simultaneously driven, and on the following day another party, under police supervision, search the range for stray sheep, while no sheep are allowed to leave the dipping pens until the strays have been gathered into the pens. A police officer, who is in charge of each bath, supervises the mixing of the dip in strict accordance with manufacturers’ directions, and also sees that the dip is kept up to full strength. He also sees that every sheep is properly and effectively dipped, and throughout the operation he retains his watch in hand, giving every sheep the specified time in the bath.

Three-year-cld Colts.

When colts are left until thev are three-

year-olds before being' broken in they should be kent at regular work ever

after, otherwise they get headstrong (says a correspondent). Many prefer this method, their contention being that three-year-olds stand the effect of breaking better, and, being more fully matured and developed, can stand a good spe.ll of hard work. It certainly is the case that the more mature a young horse is the moi'e work he can, do, and is not so liable to become overtaxed in strength or staying power ; but at the same time there is not the slightest harm- done in breaking them a year younger, provided the work given is in accordance with the colt’s age and condition. To put a poor, weak, under-fed two-year-old to hard work constitutes cruelty. If, on the other hand, he is well grown, it is all the better for him. It is just a matter of exercising proper judgment. It is a remarkable fact that the only two classes of horse which can be put to work at the comparatively early ago of two years are cart horses anil thoroughbreds. Hunters must never be put to work at that age or they are soon done for, but the cart colt, if properly treated, develops early, or. rather, comes to maturity more early, and, being usually on plough land, there is no undue strain on legs or feet and not sufficient exertion to overtax their sinew's ana joints. Very different indeed is the work which a two-year-old thoroughbred is asked to perform. Early training is no doubt best for all young animals. In view of the broakin process it may be well again to emphasise the amount of trouble and labour saved by handling all horses as foals and accustoming them as far as possible to the sights and sounds of the present day, which would have scared their ancestors. It is a great thing to get a horse's nerves steadier in early life.

Three Sows to Every Caw.

A farmer, writing to the Journal of Agriculture of Scotland, savs:

“Let us compare the value of the produce of a small

holder’s cow with the produce of a sow in twelve months. A cow will, as a rule, produce in this period one calf, which, with twelve months’ good feeding, may yield 5761 b of meat. On the other hand, what will tiie sow contribute towards the nation’s food supply by producing, say, 16 pigs in the year, assuming. that they are of an early maturing variety, and are fed for twelve months? Eight of them would have twelve months’ feeding, and eight of them six months’ feeding, or an average for the lot of nine months’ feeding, as against the calf's 12 months. Sixteen pigs at an average of nine months would dross 2101 b each dead weight or a total of 35601 b, all from the produce of one sow, as against 576-lb from the produce of the cow in the same period, ft must be remembered, further, that three breeding so\v s can he kept for the cost of one cow. The reproductive capacity of a pig is, of course, immensely greater than that of any other farm animal. Horses will reproduce themselves to the extent, of 50 per cent, to 60 per cent, annually, with a maximum not exceeding ICO per cent. ; sheep may give 125 per cent., with a maximum not exceeding 200 per cent. ; while cattle will reproduce their kind to the extent of 60 per cent, lo 75 per cent, annually, the, maximum not exceeding 100 per cent. The pig's percentage of reproduction at two litters in the year, or, say, 16 in all. is 1600 per cent, and it may be as high as 2000 per cent. Moreover, the sow can produce her first litter at twelve months’ old. There is indeed, a good deal of truth in the American saying that, the important feature of the pig is its ability to fulfil its purpose here on earth in a hurry and get

out of the way. It would not be unfair to assume that it costs twice as much to produce lib of beef as it does to produce lib of perk, and that it takes one and ahalf times as long to produce lib of mutton as it takes to produce lib of pork. There may be exceptions to this rule, but on the average these figures would prove correct. Another point in favour of the pig is its ability to consume produce that could be marketed only at k discount.

Horse Troubles.

Girth galling is one of the commonest com-

plaints among- station horses. The anatomy ot the animal itself is largely

responsible fcr this result. Horses with short hacks «md very round ribs are more liable than others The rolled leather girth, which can be kept soft and supple by an occasional application of oil or fat inside the roll, is the best form of girth for these unfortunates The surcingle should be loose a s well as the girth. Some employ a small piece of sheepskin around the girth to come in contact with the tender part behind the elbow. Various hardening substances are used fcr application to a raw wound of this description. Salt and water form as good a dressing as any, but it is easier and more effective to prevent this class of injury than to cure it when once begun. Sore backs are far too frequent an index of inefficient horse-mastership, not horsemanship. Men who ride too short and 101 l about too much in the saddle cause many a sore back. The best cure is to take this class of injury in time, and give the animal a spell at once. The man who can cure a sore back while the animal is being ridden daily is born not made. I’or curing a sore back quickly all manner of bush remedies are in vogue, the basis of all of which is salt. A few crystals of permanganate of potash in water, ordinary Condv’s fluid of middling strength, is often effective.

The habit of throwing up the head, which is not infrequently found in riding horses, is due to various causes. Severe biting, which hurts the mouth, induces the horse to throw up his head in order to try and relieve himself of the painful pressure on the bar s of the lower jaw. The remedy in this case is obvious. In other cases (says an English authority), the throwing up of the head is due to the horse getting excited, whioh often happened in the hunting field or when the animal has been warmed up by being galloped or jumped. In these cases the evil, as a rule, admits of no effectual remedy. With care and proper management on the part of the breaker and rider, young horses will lose the habit as they are advanced in their training. Bad and incompetent breaking often results in the habit becoming permanently established In the case of young horses, one should refrain from using the double bridle with curb bit and bridoon too soon, not employing this until the animal has been well mouthed a«d sufficiently trained is a snaffle bridle. agricola.

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES

Weekly Stock Sales. Surnsdde, Wednesday a. Addington, Wednesdays JVaiareka Railway Jun< tion, Tuesdays. Wallacetowu, Tuesdays. Fortnightly, ftiversdale, Fridays Ashburton, Tuesdays. Heriot, Thursdays. •Vinton, Thursdays. Wyudham, Thursdays. Clinton, Thursdays. Balcluthu, Fridays. Uore, Tuesdays. Monthly. Palmerston, 4th Thurs day. Hinton, 4th Tuesday.

Monthly (continued) Duntroon, 2nd Wedne* e dav. fc c- Woodlands, 3rd Wednesday. \. Milton, 2nd Tuesday. Balfour, 3rd Thursday. Tbornbury, Ist Friday. Duntroon, 2nd Wednesday. Otautan, 2nd Friday. 3rd Friday Waik M ka, last Friday. Olydevale, last Tuesday Periodically as Advertised. Lumsdeu, Mossbum Orepuki, Mataura ir 'vV aikt uaiti, Hiverton, Kgupan, ua« Otago Central Sales

OTAGO. We are told of the glorious weather experienced in Central Otago, and needs must credit the bronzed individuals who spend the week-end at some coastal town, longingly waiting till Monay morning will permit of their journeying inland again. Here, however, the sunshine is only at times, and the flood waters are getting away all to slowly, while rain which we could well do without falls at short intervals. Last week, with a fitful sun, was cold and frosty. Threshing is about finished in the Lake district. It is later this year than usual. BURNSIDE MARKET. The yarding of fat sheep at Burnside totalled 3454, as against 2794 the previous week, the quality varying from medium to prime. A fair of the entry comprised medium half and crossbred ewes and hatfbred Central wethers. Prices were back fully 2s 6d per head, and rates generally ruled on a par with those of a fortnight ago. Heavy prime sheep carrying good skins did not recede to the same extent as moderate weights. Wether mutton may be quoted as making at times up to 6id per lb, but 6d pulled up most prime lots. Graziers were discriminating. There were buyers for well-grown forward crossbred wethers at 28s to 29s fid. The entry of fat lambs (1026, as against 453 the previous week) for the most part lacked finish. Prime lots were scarce, and soid at Is down on last sale’s rates, lamb ,making up to 9d per lb. Graziers were not too keen, but secured unfinished at 16s 3d to 24s fid. The fat cattle penned (370, compared with 272 the previous week) were made up of all sorts, a number proving but half fat, which had scant attention. Owing to the big entry prices were easier bv 10s to 2'os a head, beef making to 25s per 1001 b. Some 250 store cattle elicited only moderate attention, and prices indicate no appreciation. Yearlings made £1 a head; inferior two-year-old steers £2 ss, inferior three-years-olds £4 Bs, best killable cows to" £4 ss. Owing to a large entry of fat pigs prices eased 5s a head, baconers mak-

ing to 6d and porkers to 6|d per lb. Small sorts were unchanged. ADDINGTON YARDS. There was a large yarding of fat sheep at Addington, all qualities being represented Although there was a very fair clearance, values were easier by Is to 2s 6d a head than the previous week’s rates. Wether mutton touched 61,d per lb, with lJ>d per ib less, but a deal of mutton of fair average quality' realised less than 6a per ib. Chatham Island wethers made 33s fid to 37s per head. About 1000 fat lambs were penned, the quality not being too obvious. Best lambs made last sale’s rates or around 9d per lb. Very few stores sheep were penned, Chatham Island sheep being prominent. Prices generally were unchanged The entry of fat cattle (some 470 head) sornprised, besides provincial lots, consignments from the North Island and Southlard. Quality varied a good deal, with values, down on last sale’s rates 10s to 15s a head. Beef made to 27s and in rare cases to 29s 6d per 1001 b, many fair lots realising around 21s fid Southern bullocks made £9 2s fid to £l3 10s and North Island cattle £9 12s fid to £l3. The few store cattle entered were not attractive, and in most instances failed to find buyers. A line of three-year-old steers made £5 l€s. Dairy cows were not taking sorts and sales were not readily effected for the mediocre lots offering. Owing to a small supply of fat pigs prices improved, and there wad a fair sale, porkers making to 7fd and baconers to 6id per lb. Small and store pigs were not in much demand, and values were lower than iast week. NORTH ISLAND STOCK .SALES. “Little doing” about sums up stock Business in the North Island. Beef is about the same as a week ago, with mutton no dearer, while the imminent closing of some of the freezing works is not. unlikely. Stock has not of late fattened kindly owing to the wet Taranaki quotes some inquiries for best grades of Jersey heifers from the north, while some few dairy cows of quality have been placed at up to £l6, with ordinary to good around £ll 10s. Jn the Wairarapa there is a fair amount of feed, but frosts have hindered milk supplies somewhat. A line of excellent two-tooth wethers made 28s In Hawke’s Bay year-and-a-half-old heifers made £2 5s and steers of same age to £3 9s, good weaner steers to £1 15s, shorn ewe lambs 12s, two-tooth wethers 225, and in lamb four and five year old ewes to 265. In the Wanganui-Feild-irig areas good grades of sheep sell well, while a fair demand for young cattle exists. Medium lambs made 13s to 16s 6d fair five-year-old breeding ewes 23s to 24s 6d, good to 30s, ewe hoggets 19s 9d, wether hoggets to 18s 9d, two-tooth wethers to 265, three-year-old station, cattle £5 10s, and extra forward to £6 12s 6d.

CENTRAL STOCK SALES. The creeks being up, a number of sheep were unable to get forward to sales held last week in Central Otago. The weather kept, ime overhead and sunny, while puces ruling for sheep were satisfactory. The condition of some of the station sheep was not too good; that is, in so far as ewes which would lie immediately joined up with rams are concerned. The yardlug's, with the exception of Waipiata, were small. At JVltddlemarch about 1500 sheep, chiefly old ewes and lambs, were offered; a line of 500 hoggets were passed at 15s 3d. Good mixed sex hoggets (halfbreds) made 18s od, two-tooth Romney cross ewes 21s 2d, old ewes 3s 6d to 12s 6d. At Oturehua some 3000 sheep met with a very fair demand. Wethers made 17s 6d to 20s fid, extra 255, two-tooth ewes (good) cos lOd, medium two-tooths 235, the third lot of same line (really culls) 17s 6d, mixed sex lambs 19s fid to 21s, old ewes 4s v to 11s 9d. At Waipiata about 9000 sheep were penned and sold. Ewe hoggets realised 23s Id, wether hoggets 17s Id, eight-tooth halfbrad wethers 17s 3d, six nad eight tooth crossbred wethers 22s 7d, station ewes (not guaranteed, thin)) 15s 3d to 16s 3d, four and six-tooth English Leicester cross ewes 35s Bd, twotooth ewes 33s 3d, .station sound mouths 24s Id, old ewes 4s to 13s. STOCK NOTES. Stock" business in Otago appears to be no better than it was a week ago. The reason why is not far to seek, it the channels of export are not kept full of our exportable commodities, if export buying is quiet prices must languish, if not recede, no matter whether tfie wool keeps growing. Then, of course, local happenings, such as flood waters, may have ruined many fine areas of winter .feed. That point is not yet definitely determined, and hence quietness. I here seem to be good reasons why meat should rule fairly nigh in the spring of the year. We have not infrequently laboured this point, and there is no need here to reiterate. Wethers are wanted just as much as ever, but graziers at the moment, except a few, have adopted a policy of “wait and see, which is not conducive to business. Some are buying (their turnips have not much) vvell-grown crossbred wethers, but there is an absence of the demand for dry sheep one would like to see.

-1 he' increase in the export of frozen pork from the Dominion is noteworthy, owing probably to the reductions in shipping freights. Up to March 3, 1922-23, season, the quantity exported was lo,9o4cv\t, as against 1806 cwt for the corresponding period of the previous season. . . -*■ "O disposal by Mr O. T. Rutherford of Ins Kanuka property at The Peaks, North Canterbury, caused a degree of interest in the displemshing sale held recently, which must have proved gratifying to the manager. Merinos were sold at the followtng prices: A ram Amahu rant Gorogler. 7gus, 12 ram lambs at 3igns, 25 at 3jgns, 23 ewe lambs at 2gns, 23 threeshear ewes at 2j,gns, 15 at 2igna, 54 fourshearewes at 2gns, and 34 five-shear ewes English Leicesters realised:— Eignt rams at 9gns, 87 one-shear ewes at 2 iS ns > 13 two-snear at 2£gns, 63 threeshear at 2gns to 23,-gns, 39 four-shear at lsgns, 16 ram lambs at l)gns, 18 at 2<ms 59 ewe iambs at ligns. Two-tcqth first cross ewes 45s to 56s 9d, four year-old first cross ewes 355, sLx-tooths 40s fid, sound mouth 27s 6d, three-quarter-bred ewe lambs 50s, mixed sex lambs 23s fid. A meeting of those .interested in the establishment of a dairy factory at the Chatham Islands was addressed by Mr S. Clayton, Dairy Instructor, Christchurch on the 23rd ult. The instructor expressed himself agreeably impressed by the'Chathams—land, climate, and cattle being suitable. He recommended the importation of, say, half a dozen dairy bulls of a, good type, transport of the factory’s produce was a simple matter, and he felt sure that there was room on the island for three or four dairy factories in a. few years’ time. The meeting decided to support the establishment of the dairying industry on the island. The Wyndham Herald reports the experience of an exporter of frozen beef; eight head sent Home, average weight 6601 b, realised £B7 14s 9d, less Home charges, £9 6s Id, and New Zealand charges for freezing and loading on boats, £lB 15s 6d, insurance £1 9s, exchange 14s, total £45. The hides sold locally netted £ls, or 18s per hundred net to ithe grower. Another consignor netted 22s fid per 1001 b. It was decided at a. meeting of the Advisory Board of Agriculture (South Australia) recently to advocate more reasonable freight rates on stud stock imported into Australia, The following resolution was passed:—“That, the Federal Government should be asked to encourage the importation cf stud stock by refunding the freight and quarantine charges on animals purchased in Great Britain.” Motor transport is being used by district graziers with much success, says an Exchange, and last week 45 fat lambs were brought in to the Albury market from Mullongandra, a distance of 20 miles. The trip occupied about two hours, and the expenses amounted to Is 6d a head. By road the journey would have taken some days, the charges would have been considerably higher, and the lambs would have lost weight. It has been announced officially that the first woollen mill of a. chain of mills to bo erected from Brisbane to Perth bv Amalgamated Textiles ( Australia) Ltd., will be erected in Albury. Since the floating of of the company, shares have been taken up readily by Albury and district residents, and, in view of the liberal suberiptions in this district, a mill costing from £IOO.OOO to £120,000 will be erected and probably working by the end of the year. JUDGING BY THE TAPE. Breeders of Friesian cattle were struck by the methods employed by Mr George Aitchson, of New Zealand, in judging that breed of cattle at the last Adelaide show (says a South Australian paper). Mr Aitchson used the tape measure and the rule extensively, and he apparently placed much reliance upon the conformation of the cattle as an indication of their dairying qualities. Generally speaking, local breeders were not a little puzzled by this procedure, and wero not at all impressed with the method. Indeed, expert opinion did n ‘ favour it. Conformation and milk yield, however, are allied. It is interesting to note, however, that the question of

the relationship, if any, between the conformation and milking capacity of a cow has been the subject of animated discussion in other dairy countries, and in Holland, particularly, the question has been very seriously debated. Professor J. Keimera, an agricultural teacher in South Africa, investigated cattle entered in tho Friesian Herd Book, and had reference to 300 animals from 2i to three years old. His conclusions, admittedly interesting, are: The tniik yield increases slightly with increasing length of body until the latter reaches a certain point, after which there appearse to be a slight decrease in the yield. Abnormal length of body apparently has the effect of lowering the milk secretion. The milk yield increases with increasing height of crupper; but the increase can by no means be called regular, and a strong connection between the two factors could not be established. Animals with small or with very deep breasts appear to give a smaller yield than animals which are normal in this respect, but tha difference was too slight to make the deduction of practical value. There is no regular relationship between rpilk yield and length of hindquarters, or width between haunches, or breadth of pelvis. Animals with normal breadth of pelvis give more milk than those with larger or smaller breadth of pelvis, but the difference is not important. The system followed by herd book inspectors in awarding points for conformation was also taken as a basis of comparison. No more success was met with in this direction, except, of course, in the case cf points for udder, teats, milk veins, and similar indications of good milk yield. BRITISH FRIESIAN'S. By the addition of the following list the number of cows which have given 2V(X) gallons ot miik or more in 365 days has been augmented to 86, all but lour of them being of the T'riesiazi breed (reports the N.B. Agriculturist). Mrs Putnam’s South African purchase, Haydon Petronella o'7A P °/ ted 19 22), has' given 29002 gallons m 270 days, this being the first animal obtained from last year's shipment to achieve this production. Mr Edward Littler's iiot '‘ r i n es . Snowflake has given 2030 gallons m 322 days, and i 3 the second animal in tho Dommage herd to reach that standard. She is the fourth daughter of the bull Boccles (imp.) Lodewiick to be credited witfi a 2000-gallon yield. Blackmore Alice 5l - ’ th ® property of Mr Wm. Turner, has given in 320 days, following her production with a previous calf of 2lio gallons in 365 days. As this cow is now under seven years of age her performance is very remarkable, and has only been beaten on the score of youth by Mr J. P. Fletchers twice 2000-galloner, Osrnaston Jenny. Duninald Herroland, second daughter of the imported bull Commieston Roland, has given 2000 gallons in 311 days, a .„ 1S 4- seccnd cow in Aft Thos. Manslie.d s Winterbourne herd that has recently given a yield of 2000 gallons. Mrs Pututtl S i C i° W -' rsta " e Gem, which won tho ‘Haroid Jackson” trophy, has produced -p4l gallons in 365 days during her lactatiou period. Beccles Lulu, another cow in Mrs I utnam s herd, has given 11 gallons per day tnree weeks after calving. Another British record has been broken Dy Mr David Moseley’s heifer, Ehnliam, which has given 77j; : lb of milk in one day, tuus beating by jib the previous best daily yield for a first-calf heifer, which was also a British Friesian. Jhe number of cows in the Home country that have given the equivalent of 10301 b of butter in one year from official milk and butter-fat percentage figures is now seven, all of them British Friesians. The latest addition is the Earl of Leitrim’s Terling Ivory Bth. that gave 2607 gallons in 365 days, with a butter-fat percentage of 3.5, which makes her butter production 10711 b. FRENCH MOVING—IN MEAT. The London correspondent of “The Pastoral Review” says:—“News comes from an official source during the last few days that an agreement has been concluded between .France and the Argentine. It is stated that the meat will be imported direct in French vessels and will, it is anticipated, be of better quality than that which previously reached France through the United Kingdom, because it would not be kept so long in storage. In exchange for meat purchases. Argentina undertakes to give orders to France for metal goods to an amount at least equal to half the sum paid by France for the meat. “The above news is of grave importance to Australia, and those other sources of frozen meat supply more handicapped by distance from European markets. It will be recalled that in the early days of the war a similar step towards agreement between France and Argentina, to the exclusion of other frozen meat supply sources, was under way in the Paris Chamber of Deputies, when it came to the notice of the British Government, and diplomatic pressure, et a time when the Allies were all in common cause, resulted m the cancellation of this step of exclusion. “Now. however, it would appear that the matter has gone further, and.' as regards the present stage, bevond repair. It must, T suppose, be accounted as one more step made bv the Argentine in getting a preferential position in European markets. The recent reported agreement with Germany, after negotiations by the Argentine Special Trade Commissioner, Mr Danieri, was a previous example. “The whole situation is one which calls for the attention of the Australian Government. As a matter of fact, there must be some screw loose in our diplomatic inMligenee to allow such an arrangement to go through without previous knowledge, and one asks where the redoubtable Australia House was in this emergency.” Australian Meat Trade Journal. OTAGO A. AND P. SOCIETY WINTER SHOW. The Space Committee appreciates the assistance it is receiving from many of tho exhibitors in willingly agreeing to reduce their applications for space to meet the demands that are now being made. The committee has, in the meantime, turned down all applications for side shows, and has provisionally allotted about 70 per cent, of the applications already received. A conference was held on Tuesday morning between Mrs Strong, Professor of Domestic Art, and Miss Rawson, Professor of Domestic Science, Mrs S. M. Park, and the members of the committee with a view of giving lectures and demonstrations dur*-

ing- Show Week. The main difficulty was m providing proper appliances to carry out these demonstrations and in obtaining the necessary accommodation. The Victoria Hall was inspected, and provided satisfactory arrangements can be made to provide afternoon lea for the public, this hall might be available for the purpose. Some members of the committee were much impressed with the proposals submitted by these two professors, but before corning to a definite decision it was decided to interview the manager of Messrs John Fuller and Sons, proprietors of the building, and obtain their consent to the erecting of the necessary stages, etc., required. While the committee recognises that the serious floods which have occurred throughout the South Island ntay affect some sections of the Show, still it is fully expected that this incoming Show will be equal to its predecessors At an executive meeting, held on Saturday, it was decided, under the adverse circumstances, to extend the date of receiving entries until Saturday the 19th. thus giving farmers a few extra days to examine their root crops, etc. A report of the Space Committee was received, which recommended that 54 applications for space as per plan bo approved In former years the various daily fae tories who entered sent the'r own men to open and stage the cheese, but as some of the exhibitors come from a distance the society will arrange to procure competent men to unpack and stage the cheeses en tered for competition. Show Week is boeoming every year more important, and many associations arc taking advantage of holding meetings during that

week. The lectures and demonstrations arranged by the Agricultural Department during the week previous to the Show are having the support of the committee and their success is practically assured, although it is understood that every effort will be made that these important lectures should in the future he fixed for Show Week. Amongst the fixtures so far arranged is the annual general meeting of the society on Tuesday, June 5, and on the same day the annual conference of the New Zealand Farmers’ Union (Otago Council) and the Otago and Southland Sheep Breeders’ an nual meetings will be held. On Wednesday, June 6, the South Island Dairy A.ssociation annual conference of dairy farmers will be held On Thursday morning a conference will he held of representatives of kindred as sociations to consider several important mat ters affecting the operations of the different societies

It is not suggested to deal with any remits that may have been submitted for consideration at the dominion conference, to be held in Wellington in July. In the afternoon the Now Zealand Friesian Association (Otago Branch) will hold its annual meeting.

A GREAT MAN GONE. Fbom Otir Special Correspondent. A great man and a genius has been lost to the world in the death of Mr Wm. Duthie, of Collynie and Tillycairn, Aberdeenshire. His is a name that will live in the annals of cattle breeding for all time. Y Duthie has left behind him more than a name as a breeder of bulls which sold at extraordinary prices. He was one who conducted his business on scientific and constructive lines. Like the late Mr A , m os Oruickshank, the grand old Quaker ,Y ltt; y tor * ame ? and like Bates and Booth m England, he was a genius in mating and building up successful Shortnorn families. Mr Duthie passed peaceau awa y at his residence at Tarves Aberdeenshire, i n the presence of bemne= i £ riends . wbo had tenderly and b h ‘ m through a brief illness, X„ /' S T W , T° Urried b y multitudes to ornrT 1 l| he Hr been a frien d and wise counsellor. lie was in his eighty-third afitv Th m - Dutm f e was a Strong personrisnfnf SOU ° f , a tenant farmer, his ShorUrn fame a ii the greatest breeder of H-tb° rn cattle the world has ever known s bdth romantic and inspiring. Mr Duthie dT nV an ° ther , northern Scot, went A? the country school to King’s College and whe n he had completed hi t d r at, ° n >, he .refnmed home to assist his iataer who, m addition to being a farmer was also the local banker and aTHartxs an vVh tenS; L Ve general b ™"ess at iarves. When his tather died he became tenant of Collynie and later of lillycairn botn holdings being on the estate of the Marquis of Aberdeen It was in 1856 that the Collynie herd' was T by founded by purchases from Mr latei Mr r H h ' tehead =, Llttl e Methlick. ShttVon M h DU / hle ’ at dls Pers:on of the fist a? the d ’ sec ured thirteen females ihrnnd v 7 a : bo,ut to be shipped ab ° .f; „ H 0 ™, t lat bme forward his suoce J sful M, r n ede f Was COllt - lm ' Ms . end SUC- , f, u - -Many famous animals were bred son AUr lnClU h dl ’? 8 ' Field Ma rshall and his of hff t ’ wh , ;oh were amon S the earliest oL h t ? nd have left their impress on the Shorthorn herds of the world Numerous others might be mentioned hut e p h „t CTy 0f the herd ; -s so familiar' that to enlarge is unnecessary. All the most fashionable blood of the breed is to bo noted for ?h yTIIe - • The . D ” thie cattle are , , a their size, hardy constitution, formitv Hi 1 ’ u TU k T g Properties and unitoimity of character and quality. For .btuthie was a prominent exhibitor, and gained numerous distinctions He ceased showing in 1504, in which year ho exhibited Pride of Morning at the -Highland and Agricultural Society’s meetAberdeen, gaining the supreme championship honours of the day. But V\ dhani Duthie was more than a breeder °‘ Shorthorns. He was a great personality and never spared himself when the interests of his country or of mankind demanded h.s services. In the locality in which he lived he was never weary i n well-doing, and he took a full share in the work of the national and breed societies with which he was associated. At home and abroad he Jived the simple life, and this added to his greatness. He leaves behind him a precious example of simplicity and directness of character. Mr Duthie was never married and he was the last member of his family! Mr John Duthie Webster, a nephew, who, like his uncle is a banker and breeder of Snorthorns, is his heir and successor