STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Otago Witness, Issue 3861, 13 March 1928, Page 21

STOCK AND GRAZING NOTES.

Wetkly st»ck Saiit. Burnside, Wednesdays. Addington, Wednesdays. Waiareka Railway Junction, Tuesdays Fortnightly. •irersdale, Fridays (March, April, and *V). Wallacetown, Tuesdays. Ashburton, Tuesdays. Beriot, Thursdays. Winton, Thursdays. Wyndham, Thursdays. Ciinton, Thursdays. Baldutha, Fridays. Core, Tuesdays. Monthly. Xdendale, Ist Monday. Palmerston, 4th Thursday. Winton, 4th Tuesday. Mataura, Ist Thursday. Tokanul, 4th Monday

Monthly (etnllnutd). Duntroon, 2nd Wadna*a»y. Woodlands, Brd Wednesday. Milton, 2nd Tuesday, Balfour, 3rd Thursday. Thornbnry, Ist Friday. Otautau, 2nd Wedne» day. Riversdale, 3rd Friday (except Maroh, April, and May). Waikaka, last Friday. Clyilevale, last Friday Periodically a* Adverting. Lumsden, Mossburn, Orepuki, Waimahaka, Waikouaiti. Riverton, Ngapara, and Otago Central Salta.

OTAGO. The weather during the week in Otago was pleasant, with sufficient rainfall to ensure generous growth of root crops and yet not unduly delay harvesting operations. BURNSIDE MARKET. The entry of fat cattle at Burnside, 210, compared with 204 the previous week, lacked for the most part consignments of quality bullocks. Some prime heifers and cows were again freely featured, and evoked attention. Values generally were much the same as the previous week, with a weakening tendency- towards the close of the sale. Prime bullocks may be quoted as making up to 35s per 1001 b at the best stages, with a poor finishing demand.

The yarding of fat sheep, 2577, as against 2178 the previous week, comprised for the most part ewes of very fair to prime quality, and some medium sorts. Wethers in moderate numbers and of good quality made up about a fourth of the entry. There was a fair demand, exporters taking suitable weights, with butchers not too keen. 'Values generally ruled unchanged, wethers making at times to 6d per lb.

The fat lamb entry, 851, compared with 1063 the previous week, comprised fair to good quality sorts. The demand was brisk, and a good clearance resulted at rates ruling a week ago, best sorts making around 9£d. The yarding of Store cattle totalled 350, all being cows of mixed quality with the exception of some 75 very fair two, three, and four-year-old steers.’ There was a fair demand at last sale’s values, the best of the grown steers making to £ll ss, medium £8 5s to £lO, young £5 to £7 ss. The entry of fat pigs, 145 (110 last week), lost last week’s advance, and a slow sale resulted. Some 50 (45 last sale) stores elicited a demand in keeping with that for fats. Baconers made to sid, and porkers to 7d per lb. NORTH ISLAND STORE STOCK VALUES. Generally there is a good tone apparent in the demand for best grades of store stock 'in the North Island, good sorts of ewes having attention. In the Auckland province, at Westfield market, beef sold to 34s under good competition, three and four-year-old steers making £7 10s to £B, three-year-old £6 to £6 10s, one and a-half year-olds £4 to £5, weaner Jersey heifers £3 to £4, fourtooth wethers 22s 6d to 23s 6d, mixed ewes 21s to 235. - In Poverty Bay medium four and five-year-old 'ewes made 14s to 15s 6d, woolly ewe lambs 13s, wether lambs 8s to Us. At Feilding two-tooth breeding ewes made 27s to 31s, four and six-tooths 27s 6d, four-year-olds 23s to 245, four and five-year-olds 19s to 225, two-tooth wethers 21s.

At Martinborough four-tooth station ewes made 28s, two-tooths 265, good four and five-year-olds 20s to 235, woolly wether lambs to 17s, cull two-tooth wethers 18s, eull lambs lie 6d. In the Wairarapa two-tooth ewes made 26s 9d, two and four-tooths 23s to 265, fair four-year-olds 19s to 225, good four and five-year-olds 21s to 255. In Hawke’s Bay two-tooth ewes made 23s to 31s. four and six-tooths 21s to 265, medium four and five-year-olds 16s to 18s, good to 265, mixed sex lambs 14s to 17s 6d, ewe lambs 14s 3d to 19s. THRESHING RETURNS. Inquiries made from the owners of threshing mills show that the harvest in North Otago this season will be a particularly good one. In the Waitaki district the crops of wheat have not been heavy, but some very good yields of oats have been obtained. For instance, Mr J. Hollamby has threshed 3149 bushels from 80 acres’, which represents nearly 40 bushels V to the acre. The yields of oats in the Herbert and Moheno districts have been remarkably good. From an area of 94 acres, 6380 bushels were obtained, which averages about 63 bushels' to the acre. The biggest yield so far reported is that of Mr W. M'Millan. of Herbert, who obtained 3452 bushels from 44 acres. This equals about 79 bushels to the acre, which would be hard to beat. Mr J. M’Leod, of Maheno, threshed 900 bushels from 20 acres of wheat, which represents 40 bushels to the acre. In the Tokarahi and Island Cliff districts the crops have been very heavy, Mr Arthur Gardiner threshed 6250 J bushels of oats from 100 acres, or slightly over 62 bushels to the acre. At Totaratahi Mr, J. B. Dewar secured 1181 bushels of oats from 16 acres In the Peebles district both the oat and wheat crops have been most prolific. Mr William Gardiner threshed 3745 bushels of Tuscan wheat from an area of 60 acres. This works out at 63 bushels to the acre. Mr D. Borrie, of Papakaio, threshed 1201 bushels of oats from 16 acres, or 75 bushels to the ncre; and Cameron brothers, 1426 bushels from 21 acres, or 67 bushels to the acre. One of the biggest wheat-growers in the Peebles district is Mr L. M'Phee, who was quite satisfied with his return of 6780 bushels of

Tuscan from 145 acres. 'The average in this case is 46 bushels to the acre. Mr E. S. Brewster, of Awamoko, obtained the exceptionally find yield of 71 bushels to the acre of Tuscan wheat. Unfortunately, however, he had only eight acres in this crop. ■ The best yield of wheat so far recorded in the Hilderthorpe district is that of Mr J. Duncan, who received 4612 bushels of College Hunters and Velvet from _B5 acres. The average for this superior quality wheat is therefore 54 bushels to the acre.

COUNTRY STOCK SALES. —M'Nab.— The fortnightly stock sale held at M'Nab on Tuesday of last -week attracted a very large attendance of farmers and buyers. There was an entry of 103 fat sheep. The market was just about in keeping with recent sales, and fat wethers realised from 25s 9d to 29s 6d, while fat ewes made 25s 6d and fat lambs up to 27s 3d. The entry of store sheep comprised 3463, there being a large number of store lambs and breeding ewes, the latter being greatly enhanced by a special entry of good two-tooth ewes from Turnbull’s trus>tees, Waikaka. A very satisfactory market prevailed, and good'forward lambs were in keen demand at firm rates. Sales were made at from 22s 2d to 24s 6d for good forward sorts, while backward stores made 15s 9d. A few lines of ewe lambs were on offer, and these made up to 26s 6d. Few store wethers were offering, the only line, a good forward lot, failing to reach the vendor’s reserve, and were passed in at 26s 6d. The demand for breeding ewes was good, particularly for good quality, and very satisfactory prices were recorded. Good well-grown twotooth ewes made up to 365, a line of 1000 from Waikaka making that, value, 700 going to Mr C. Carnie, Mataura Island, while 250 went to Mr T. R. Eades, Edendale. Sound-mouth ewes made up to 28s 6d, and good fresh well-conditioned full and failing sorts from 13s to 18s 6d, while poorer quality was quitted at from 8s to Us 9d. —Waiareka.— There was a fairly large yarding of sheep at Tuesday’s sale at the Waiareka yards, and though there was a good attendance considering the farmers are busy with the harvest, bidding was slow for anything not of the best class, and the sale dragged on to a late hour. It was evident that the dry weather and the unpromising prospects in regard to turnips and other winter feed put a restraint upon buyers. The result was that a good many lots were withdrawn, offers not reaching vendors views. Still, a good number of sheep and lambs changed hands, the following being the range of prices:—Fat wethers, from 26s 3d for light to 29s 3d for heavier sorts; fat ewes, from 16s 6d to 20s 6d, according to weight; forward rape lambs, mixed sexes, 22s 3d to 245; other mixed-sex rape lambs, 17s 3d to 20s 9d; small mixed-sex lambs, 12s 6d to 13s 6d; wether lambs, 19s 9d to 225; small wether lambs, Us; mixed-sex four and six-tooth ewes, 30s; lambs, 17s 3d to 20s 9d; small mixed-sex full and failing-mouthed ewes, 21s to 22s 6d; full-mouthed ewes, 20s; old ewes, from 10s to 15s. according to condition; cull ewes, anything up to 5s 9d; twotooth ewes, 17s 6d to 21s.

BALCLUTHA. At the weekly sale 4000 sheep and lambs were yarded. The yarding included a good proportion of fat lambs of extra quality and a fair number of fat sheep. Top price was obtained for a nice pen of extra heavy and well-finished lambs, sold on behalf of Mr Gordon Sinclair, of Paretai, which realised 36s 9d. Good fat lambs sold at 30s to 365, others 25s to 29s 6d, fat ewes 14s to 21s, fat wethers 27s to 325, forward rape lambs 21s to 23s lid, ewe lambs 22s to 23s 3d, twotooth ewes 32s 4d, sound-mouth ewes 20s to 255, failing-mouthed ewes 10s to 14s, mixed sex lambs 17s 6d to 21s, and store wethers 27s 2d. A small yarding of cattle met with a fair demand. Store bullocks realised £8 10s, 18-month steers £5 10s, and dairy cows £4. At Milton some 4000 sheep were yarded, and there was a good clearance at the following rates:—Sound-mouth ewes 22s lOd to 29s 3d, full and failing 24s 2d, fair and broken 12s 9d to 17s, forward wethers 255, rape lambs 18s to 21s 3d, wether lambs 14s 3d to 20s, ewe lambs 21s. At Palmerston about 4000 sheep were readily sold, the rain having firmed the demand. Good but not sound ewes made 25s to 26s 9d, four and six-tooth ewes 34s 3d. full and failing 16s to 18s, old 7s to Bs, lambs 20s 6d, medium tussock lambs 15s, and tussock cull ewe lambs 19s 4d. STOCK NOTES. The rainfall of last week in Otago came at an opportune time, with the result that vendors of store sheep in the Central intimated that they would not market sheep as anticipated, and sales have been postponed for a period. The recent wool sales in Dunedin continued firm throughout, the rise in value being appreciable. Vendors wh'o sold at this sale were well served. Some owners’ wool made 3d to 5d per lb more than they received for their clips last year, and this on top of the fact that graziers marketed more wool from the same area—thanks to the practical elimination of the rabbit—augurs well for the future.

It is interesting, in view of the high values ruling at the last Dunedin wool sales, where, incidentally, the highest price in New Zealand for halfbred wool was recorded, viz., 30Jd per lb, to note that approximately half the wool sold at the sale had been classed in stores. The great bulk of the smaller clips are now invariably classed; not so, however, good station lines which are graded at shearing time.

The Dominion reports a -dispersal sale of. Jerseys at Alfredton, on account of Mrs H. M. Rutherford. Seventy head were submitted to auction by Messrs Wright, Stephenson and Co., the demand being very fair for young stock, but cows in milk were not in much request, owing to being in that condition. The top price for cows was 45gns, others making from 15gns upwards. Bull calves sold to 19gns, and heifer calves to 21gns, and as low as 12gns and lOgns respectively.

Foot-and-mouth disease continues to spread iu the English Midlands with alarming rapidity. It looks like getting out of hand (states a Home exchange of recent date). At the Prince of Wales’s farm at Lenton, Nottingham, the greatest precautions are being taken to prevent foot-and-mouth infection. Food is being handed over the gate to those in charge of stock.

A line of 70 marked heifer calves has been shipped from Auckland to Fiji. They were from the South Auckland district, 10 being from Mr A. Cunningham (Kereone), 40 from Mr T. Hickey (Manawaru), and 20 from Mr L. W. Bishop (Tirau). The prices ranged from £5 to £7. At this year’s Palermo Show, which will be an international one, British and New Zealand type Lincolns will be placed in separate classes, thus facilitating the judges’ labours (says the Argentine Weekly). There will also be special classes in the cattle, sheep, and horse sections for animals of more age than usually admitted in order to allow foreign exhibitors to compete. As in former years the judging will be carried out by officials named by the Royal Agricultural Society of England.

The Minister of Agriculture, Britain (Mr Walter Guinness) announced that a quarantine station was being erected at the East India dock for pedigree stock which was being sent to the dominions, and would be ready for the reception of animals in April. It would be under the management of the Royal Agricultural Society, at the charge of the Empire Marketing Fund. It would enable the export of pedigree stock to proceed without the interruptions hitherto due to foot-and-mouth disease. He hoped that the effect would be similar to that of the station at Glasgow under the Royal Highland Agricultural Society. . A Pukeatua settler recently wrote seek, mg information as to the supply of Cinnabar moths from the Cawthron Institute, or any other effective methods for checking the spread of ragwort. He stated that 16 head of his dairy cattle had died in a little over two years through eating ragwort. He received a reply that the institute does not intend to start distributing the insect before seeing how it behaves in the open. It is hoped to be able to start distribution next spring. Pork exports from Poverty Bay to Australia were commenced at the end of last year, but these have been discontinued on account, it is stated, of the high freight changes (states the Herald) Only two lots were dispatched, the last going at about Christmas time, and it is reported that there are no prospects for further shipments in the near future. The pigs were bought at 5d per lb, and it is estimated that by the time thev reach Australia the cost would have been brought up to 7d per lb, this being too great for the bacon company that was buying them. It appears, also, that there are very little prospects of an expert trade with England being entered into from Gisborne, at least, at the present. A record in trucking sheep is claimed to have been put up at Amberley the other day. Between noon and 6 p.m. 100 trucks were loaded with sheep bought at the ewe fair, and only one loading race was avail able. To load 158 trucks in a full dav of 24 hours was previously considered a good performance. In some remarks after judging the stock at the Auroa Show the other day, Mr E. Griffiths said: “ When you have a good anima] in your own paddock you think that it is ‘ just it,’ but there is nothing like bringing it out for comparison with some good animals from the surrounding dis trict.”

The testing of cows on the group system was strongly advocated by Mr E. Griffiths at the cattle show at Auroa (states the Taranaki Herald). He said that its results would make a great difference to Taranaki dairymen. Every year thousands of heifers were exported, and testing would help to show the rest of the island that the district produced good stock. •

The number of sheep on the roads during tho week-end after the Tekapo sale was most unusual, one Timaru motorist passing no fewer than 18 mobs over a distance of approximately 15 miles, from the Burke’s Pass Hotel to the Tekapo bridge. A stringhalt disease among horses, which gives a peculiar lift of the hind legs, has made its appearance in the district (relates the Poverty Bay Herald) So far only about six cases have Deen reported, but one of the horses afflicted has died. The disease is not contagious, but there was a serious outbreak in Canterbury a few years before the war, and. endeavours are being made to prevent a similar outbreak in this district. Little is known of tho cause of the disease, but it is thought that some weedy growth in the pastures might be responsible, and investigations are being made. The first signs of the disease were noticed about a week ago. The experiment recently carried out on behalf of Mr D. Blumhardt, of Whareora, by Mr H. Scally, the Whangarei stock specialist, for the treatment. of vaginitis.on several small dairy herds in the district, proved a gratifying success (says the Northern Advocate). Altogether 73 affected cows, a number of which were chronic cases, were treated. The percentage of cures proved to be exceedingly high, 72 of the animals being restored to normal health, only one case, which was beyond human aid, had to be. destroyed. The question of having a ram fair was discussed at Friday’s meeting of the Nortn Otago A. and P. Association, when Mr T. ■ S. Little moved —“ That a fair be held on Wednesday. April 4.” Mr Little said he had ascertained from the auctioneers that this date would, be the most suitable. The motion . wa s seconded by Mr Cuthbertson and carried. No fewer than 19 double deckers of fat lambs (about 1140 lambs), two of pigs,' and five trucks of cattle were despatched to Addington market from Greymouth on Tuesday morning (states the Greymouth Evening Star). The season for fat lambs on the West Coast this year has constituted a record. CANTERBURY EWE FAIR. The Amberley ewe fair, the first of the big autumn ewe fairs in Canterbury, was held on the sth inst., when there was an entry of 33,000, almost all of which were halfbred ewes, and there were some lines of halfbred lambs. There was a very large attendance, and a steady demand throughout, only an odd lot being passed. Farmers were, however, cautious in their bidding, and there was no desire to give

extreme prices for young ewes, but the sale was considered a very satisfactoryone. The range of prices was as follows: — Best two-tooth ewes, 38s to 435; average two-tooth ewes, 35s to 37s 6d; four and six-tooth ewes, 33s to 34s 6d; four-year ewes, 27s 6d to 32s 6d; four and fiveyear ewes, 25s to 275; five and six-year ewes, 20s to 245; aged ewes, with good mouths, 15s to 17s 6d; rape ewes, 10s to 12s; good halfbred ewe lambs, 20s and 29s 3d. SHEEP-DIPPING. It would appear from reports to hand than more sheep than usual have been lost after dipping this year, states the Auckland Star. The weather has been exceptionally hot and oppressive of late throughout the entire country, and it is imperative that farmers should exercise the greatest care, and do not ignore the fact that increased risks are taken bydipping sheep when in a heated condition, a caution which all sheep dip manufacturers have continually issued in instructions and propaganda for nearly threequarters of a century. The North Island experience applies also to Canterbury (says a Canterbury exchange), where, during the recent extremely hot weather, there was a considerable amount of mortality- after dipping. Veterinary investigation in a number of cases, extending from the Hurunui to the Rangitata, disclosed that the deaths were due to a congested condition of the lungs. The theory advanced is that when the sheep are in an excessively hot condition dipping provokes a disorder resulting in the trouble mentioned. It is useful to note in this respect that since the weather broke in various districts there have been no reports of mortality. -- Sheep-dipping, it may be remarked, is supposed to be completed by March 31. In Otago, although we have experienced some very warm weather, sheep losses due to the dipping operation have been meagre — if there have been any at all —and is due no doubt to the care taken, as sheep owners have in this part of the world a lively appreciation of the danger of slurring this important work on the farms and stations, due in a measure to repeated warnings in the columns of this paper. As the period for dipping terminates at the end of the present month, unless otherwise arranged with the inspector, it may be anticipated that, in view of the value of sheep to-day. graziers will make every endeavour to follow out the dip manufacturer’s instructions and win out without losses. AUSTRALIA BUYS NEW ZEALAND FRIESIANS. Dr S. V. Sewell, of Melbourne, has purchased from Messrs Fraser and Kirkness, of Victoria Park, Invercargill, the junior yearling bull, Netherland King Sylvia II for his well-known Friesian stud farm. Netherland King Sylvia II is an example of intense line breeding, his sire and dam being half-brother and sister, both being sired by- the bull, Netherland Pietertje of Bainfield. He is also line bred to Oakwood Topsy, who is known throughout New Zealand as the cow upon which the

reputation of V . D. Hunt’s famous Bainfield herd was built. Netherland King Sylvia II was sired by Netherland King hozine, whose stock has not yet been tested.

The Piri Land Company, of Orini. Taupiri, recently- sold the yearling purebred Friesian bull, Totara Pontiac Daintyboy, to the well-known breeder, Mr Walter Hawker, of Anama Station, Clare, South Australia. Totara Pontiac Daintyboy is a bull with a remarkably- fin? pedigree, combining many of the best strains of Friesian blood, including Burkeyje Sylvia Posch, Westmere Princess Pietertje, Netherland Queen VII. Woodcrest Pietje Pontiac, Woodcrest Hengerveld Mechthilde, and tracing back to the original importations of Dutch Friesians by the late John Grigg, of Lonsbeach, Canter--bury. The sire of Totara Pontiac Daintyboy is Bainfield Netherland King Pontiac, for whom the Piri Land Company paid the record price at auction of 510gns as a calf at the last annual sale held by- W. D. Hunt. King Pontiac’s sire was none other than Rosevale King Sylvia, son of the then chamnion cow of all breeds, Burkeyje Sylvia Posch. 9831 b butter-fat. and 'who is now the champion “long distance ” cow of the world, and a half-sister to May Echo Sylvia, the world’s champion milk, producer.

One recalls the fact that last year Dr Sewell purchased from Messrs H. North 'ind Sons, Otago. their champ ; on bull, Rosevale Korndyke Sylvia Posch. At the last Adelaide Royal Show Mr Hawker won both the chamnion bull and champion cow awards with New Zealandbred Friesians from Mr J. Grigg’s stud at Longbeach. FARMING OPERATIONS AT WANAKA. There is little change in the weather except for the passing of a few scattered showers, which have been barely sufficient to moisten the surface of the snil. The various threshing mills in the district are busily employed. Very little barley has .vet been threshed, but wheat and peas have yielded up to expectations. One of the best returns reported is that of over 50 bushels of wheat per acre from a property at Hawea. ■ The bulk of the returns is given as from 30 to 40 bushels per acre. This average must be considered good in an exceptionally dry season. According to an agreement with the brewing companies, barley must be in stack for at least six weeks before being put through the mill. The disadvantage of this arrangement is that cartage to the rail-bead at Cromwell is extended into the shortening davs, and that the paddocks in which the grain is stored are often heavy- with late rains, necessitating cartage by- dray or wagon to the lorries - at the roadside. All through, the returns for the season are much more satisfactory than might have been expected. lODINE FOR’LIVE STOCK. ’ The element, iodine has of late loomed large on the farmer’s horizon, it beini held that much of the mortality- and ill* ~ health. in live stock is caused by inability to derive sufficient iodine from the ordinary farm foods. This deficiency, it is pointed out in an informative brochurs ■

written by Mr Frank Ewart Corrie, B.Sc.. ean be remedied by restoring to the food the element which it lacks. The importance of iodine in the animal’s nutrition generally—in pregnancy, its influence on the skin, its value in veterinary therapy, in milk secretion, etc. —as set out in the paper in question is of engaging interest, and warrants the perusal of all interested in live stock. Copies of the publication may be obtained gratis on application to De Gruchy and Co., Ltd., 45 Mitchell street, London, E.CJ. ' EXPORT OF SHEEP. Mr T. S. Little, of Corriedale, is shipping by the Manuka from Dunedin a oneshear Border Leicester ram for Mr Griffiths, of Lyndhurst, Victoria. He is also shipping a stud Border Leicester ewe for the same buyer. This ewe won first and champion prizes at Oamaru and Dunedin Shows last year, and first prize at the Southland Show. Mr Little is also shipping two ewes to Mr Greaves, of Lyndhurst. One of these took first prize in its class at the Dunedin Show and second at Invercargill. The other stood second to its paddock mate at Oamaru, Dunedin, and Invercargill. These sheep are being sent to the Victorian buyers as repeat orders, which sho-ws-the popularity gained by Mr Little's stud on the other side. « AGRICULTURAL ANO PASTORAL NEWS. It is rumoured in many quarters that Hie well-known Ormaglade Station, at Miller’s Flat, will shortly be placed on the market, either as a whole or in sub--divisions. The excursion party of Canterbury farmers to visit Southland will leave Christchurch on the morning of Monday, March 26, and will probably go straight through to Invercargill by that day’s express. The JWaimate Witness reports that the milk yield of the various herds is showing an upward, tendency since the beneficial rains earlier in the month, and this week, a decided increase is being recorded at some factories. A shock has been caused to Gisborne produce firms by an unexpected increase of 14d per sack on maize shipped between Gisborne and Auckland, the former freight of lOd having been advanced to "~2» per sack. V

So much has been heard of the good yields from crops throughout the Ashburton County that many may be led to believe that this has been the case with every farmer (says the Guardian). Reports from Lowcliffe, however, state that one farmer, after threshing over 300 acres of wheat, averaged barely 26 bushels to the acre. A scheme for the housing of dairy herds in winter is being initiated on the Hauraki Plains. Some monster specimens of potatoes were on exhibition at the Stratford Horticultural Society’s Show, and one gardener reported that in one head recently, ne found 20 potatoes, all of good size. Apple picking is now in full swing in the various fruitgrowing districts around , Nelson (reports the Evening Mail). An active start has also been made at hoppicking in many of the gardens. The bops t this year, although generallv reported to . be small in size, are of a very firm character. Potato crops in the Waimate district do j not, it is reported, promise very well, and blight is stated to be prevalent (says the Daily Advertiser). This is due to over much rain at the beginning of the season. In view of the fact Dr Tillyard, of the Cawthron Institute, had stated that in au years there would not be a blackberry bush in New Zealand except, those cultivated, the Ashburton County Council has decided (states the Guardian) to write to the Department of Agriculture asking if any definite cure has been discovered. Mr W. T. Lili, thought the department should not keep information like this quiet, if there was anything in it. A trip through Central Hawke’s Bay discloses that the hay season has been an exceedingly good one, and settlers have taken advantage of the opportunity to build large reserve stacks of hay (states the Napier Daily Telegraph). It is safe to say that despite the seven weeks of dry weathei tins year the_seas<STr all round has been one of the best experienced in Central Hawkes Bay for many years. • - The hardening of the feed and the shortj age of water occasioned by the period without ram caused a considerable amount of I indigestion in a mild form among the dairy ' cows m Poverty Bay (reports the Herald) In the ordinary course of events, the re- : duction of the milk: supply would have i been considerable as the result of the lack of green feed and the shortage of water but it was aided by the condition cf the cows as a result of indigestion. The heavy ram that baa fallen, however, has brought

away a good growth of new grass, and the cows should now be well on the' read to recovery. The cup promised to the Kelso A. and P Association by Messrs H. and J. Smith. Ltd., Gore, has now arrived from England. It is a. handsome piece of work standing about 15in high, the top being surmounted by the form of a cow. The trophy should prove a valuable adjunct to the Kelso Society’s list of trophies. The next wool sale for South Canterbury will be held in Timaru on April 20. NEW ZEALAND LAMB. CHRISTMAS GIFTS. WIDESPREAD APPRECIATION. _ LONDON, January 19. During the Christmas season the New d " leat Producers’ Board sent out 3038 carcasses of lamb as presents to people in Great Britain who had been nominated by friends in the Dominion. Of these. 50 per cent, went to Scotland and Ireland, and the recipients were so widely distributed that the gifts are sure to be of immense value for publicity purposes. . Mr R. S. Forsyth (London manager of the board) has been receiving large numbers of letters of appreciation. The following are excerpts from some of these letters:— Shepherd’s Bush.—“ It has been a wonderful eye-opener. We have show-n all our visitors this Christmas the condition of packing, and feel that from an advertising point of view you have hit upon an excellent scheme. We hope for a repeat, and my wife is now quite agreed to try’ the products of the Dominion. Lossiemouth.—■“ It was simply delicious. We have never tasted frozen meat before and did not know it could be so good.” ’ Southampton.—“ I must say it was fine and tender, and made many a happy heart thisr Christmas. I have not been "able to get such a tender piece of lamb here for many a day.” Bermondsey.—“l can't find words with which to express myself. It was just grand. The flavour .was lovely. I gave away several pieces to friends, and I know they will always have New Zealand lamb as I always shall. Ik is so much better than other kinds?’ Dorkings —“The New Zealand lamb arrived packed perfectly, irreproachably

clean, and in beautiful condition. Nothing could have been better. If like a beleaguered garrison, the snow cuts us off from the outside world we shall be haunted by no spectre of starvation.” Barnsley.—“ It has been the first we have tasted, but it won’t be the last. It is as tender as chicken.” Shrewsbury.—“lt is quite equal to the very best English lamb freshly killed.” Torquay.—■“ My family and friends with whom I shared this handsome gift one and all said it was the very best Canterbury lamb they had ever tasted.” Walsall.—“The lamb exceeded our expectations. My friends and relatives said it surpassed in flavour some of the freshkilled English lamb.” Grangemouth.—“The lamb was in splendid condition, and I can assure you nothmg finer could be had in own country.” Edinburgh.—“As I am much interested in the development of trade with our own dominions I shall on every opportunity that occurs advocate to my friends the value of New Zealand products.”